Chores and Relaxation on the Rampart Range.

I like my current campsite, it being atop a hill and at the apex of a switchback, it provides nice sight lines for approaching traffic. 

Here's a view with a campsite with some background rain clouds just prior to Sunset yesterday, Wednesday: 

Sunset was meh.

One thing about not using a real camera with a adjustable shutter is the inability to capture sun rays.  My camera phone just makes it out to be a blob.

Thursday, August 21

Spent the morning working on fixing the case on the Predator 2000 generator.  It had gotten bent and bits had to be reinforced due to my using straps to secure it to the rear bumper when traveling. 

It proved to be a warm day, with a high of 83° f.  I just relaxed under the awning with associated shade screens since the breeze wasn't very strong.  I couldn't quite motivate myself to go riding in the heat.

My view of Pikes Peak this morning:

Tonight's sunset was "mo better":

Displacing to a new site along Rampart Range Road

Martha returned home this morning, I'll be here till Friday morning I think.

Here's Tuesday's sunset display:

Had an interesting experience in the afternoon. A guy walked up into my campsite, I didn't hear him calling out as he approached because I had a Bluetooth speaker going with an audiobook. 

Anyways, I finally heard him when he was perhaps 15 ft away. He was asking for help in charging his car battery jump starter. He needed it to jump start his car, which he was carcamping in the next spot over closer to Rampart Range Road. 

I was a bit rattled that I let someone get that close to the campsite without knowing it, must be more vigilant apparently. 

Anyways I told him I could help, he brought over his jump starter and I hooked it up to the small generator to charge it up for the next 2 hours. 

He returned in two hours, thanked me and left for his campsite. 

He wasn't sketchy at all, just looked like a middle-aged man down on his luck. He said he was waiting for payday to get a new battery for his car. Not sure what he was doing car camping in the forest but what can you do?  I did ask if he was good with water and food and he said he was fine 

Wednesday, August 20

I decided to  displace to a national forest spot along Rampart Range Road 15 mi from my campsite. 

Two reasons, the view and to get some distance from yesterday's car camper. 

He was still there as I drove by in the VR RV so I'm not sure what kind of work he does.  

Anyways, 15 miles of dirt road later I was at the new site: 

Can you spot Uma?

As you can see, the view of Pikes Peak is pretty good since we are closer to it. 

It's a hilltop site so pretty easy to monitor my surroundings. 

The site is at 9242 ft altitude.  Supposed to get as high as 80° today and tomorrow so it should be nice and warm. 

Coming around the rig after some work, I saw a young black bear, checking out a drainage pipe about 200 ft away from the campsite.  By the time I got the phone camera ready, he'd spotted me and run off.  

Shoot Meet

My view from bedside towards the kitchen:

Today, Thing Two and a neighborhood friends couple: Jacqui and Bob, joined us for a little target shooting.

I have to tell you, pictures of people shooting at targets don't make riveting footage.

Jacqui coaching Martha 

On a .22 pistol

Bob W.

Trying a .22 Rifle

We were done sometime after 3:00 p.m., a good time was had by all.

Jacqui, Bob and Thing Two left soon afterwards, trying to get off Rampart Range Road before more possible rain came in.

The sunset proved pretty good once again.

A Relaxing Day with Martha in the Rampart Range

A good day of relaxed camping today.

First, a drive to the Farish Recreation Area to show Martha the sights.

Wedding Hill

We explored FR 320 afterwards, dodging morons speeding around blind curves on a narrow road.  Fun, not!

In the evening, some of the locals and their brood came by....

Sunset was pretty good tonight: