Dear Isaac, Maia, and Virtual Wanderers,

Today started backward. That is, we went the other direction before we went where we were going. Now, IDK how many people reading this have been to rural Moffat County, Colorado – but these ARE country roads! Anyway – depending on which dirt exit you take from Gates of Lodore, you take 10 N or 10 W from Hyw 318 to get to Irish Canyon – and it’s bumpy either way. Irish Canyon has some cool Fremont petroglyphs. I have taken the road through Powderwash into Baggs, Wyoming before, but today we just went to look at the rock art and have a picnic. The dogs preferred the picnic to hiking in the heat. But, we logged another mile for the Hiker’s 365 Challenge.

After that, we headed for Grandma’s place! I am talking about Pearl Lake State Park named for my grandma, Pearl Hartt. We took the main highway through Craig and Steamboat, then North through Clark to Hahn’s Peak and Steamboat Lake campground. Steamboat Lake has more sites and it is way easier to book there if you are not making reservations months in advance. So, we camp there a lot when we go to visit Pearl. It’s OK, because my mom and her parents once rented a place that is now under that Lake, too – it is all ground my family has pissed on at some point. 🙂

When we got there, the mountain air and tall grass offered a safe harbor to Kachina and Kokopelli. I think both dogs were tired of the ant piles and warm temperatures of Lodore – although, I adore Ladore. I set up the tent and intended to go into Hahns Peak for a real meal that night. First, I needed a shower. OMG – the only downside of camping is that you just don’t stay clean and this was the first real shower facility we had available this trip.

After the shower, we headed to town only to find one restaurant closed and the other having a benefit (and 0 space in the parking lot.) So, back to camp for another round of soup and crackers. The dogs didn’t mind it. We logged another mile around the campground.

Love Ya’all, Cathy Hartt (The other Grandma Hartt)