WRoberson's Blog

Leadville is far from perfect.  The air is clean, the people are nice, and it's economy is growing but, the roads need work.  24 just outside of Leadville has a section that is torn up and Mt. View Dr. has a smaller section that need work.  These sections require a person to slow down and drive safe, but from what I read in the Chronicle, these roads have been like this for some time and people complain.

A main feature in the roadways are dainage chanels that are about 8 inches deep and run across the road.  They are placed about every intersection to allow snow melt and rain water to runoff down hill and away from the homes.  The are required but are a hazard.  The other thing I have noticed that I am going to have to learn to navigate are the hills.  Some hills are steep and straight, others are steep and sloped.  I can imagine trying to stop and drifting off the road when it's icy.

I took my high quality raft out on Twin Lakes last week.  I was basically rowing in circles since I was unable to row at an even pace.  I made it out into the middle and back to the boat ramp and I guess that's all that matters.

 

I need to get to walmart, but that's 70 miles round trip....

 

Thanks for reading.  Come see this place, it's beautiful!

I found a job in Leadville, Colorado 4 days a week 22 hours part time washing dishes and delivering pizza.  Over the 1st 2 days I cleared $225.00 giving me a decent profit after all my expenses.  I even won a pinball tournement in town on the Indiana Jones 4 pinball game.  Another $23.50 for me.

If you still have vacation time, how about coming to the see Leadvilles' St. Patrick's Day Practice Parade on 9-20-08.  There's just too much snow in March to have one.  Plenty of beer to be had.

Elbert Creek:

From Leadville follow highway 24 to state route 300.  Take 300 to county road 11.  Turn left.  Drive about 1.5 miles.  11 turns to the right.  3 miles to Halfmoon CG, Emerald Lake, Elbert Creek CG and at the very end of the dirt road is the trail head for Mt. Massive.  Elbert Creek CG is a camp used by people climbing Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest peak.  The trail is good.  .5 miles to cross Elbert Creek.  2 miles to tree line. 2 miles to the summit.  Total distance is 9 miles round trip.  Please allow 2-3 days to become accustomed to the high altitudes.  Pack in what you need.

Saddlehorn:

This Campground is located in Colorado National Monument near the Book Cliffs.  I suggest arriving late in the evening around 5pm as the temperature will be close to 100 during most of the summer.  Stop by the vistors center, it closes at 6 and spend the rest of the evening at the Book Cliff Shelter.  It's awesome.   All types of food is available 7 miles in Frutia, Colorado.

Paonia State Park:

Spruce Campground is in the middle of nowhere, but is easy to get to on state highway 133, a scenic loop that takes you from Carbondale, colorado to Crested Butte, and is along a small flowing creek.  Pack what you need, including water.  I found the place to be infested with mosquitos, but was pleased to see a snake take refuge under a truck several sites from the one I was using.

Back at the end of May, I drove to Colorado to look for opportunities.  I have 2 businesses ask me to either call, or drop by.  So the other day, I lined up a job in Berwyn, and came back out to Colorado.  One made a note that I dropped by, and the other person did a background check.  When I went back Friday, she told me I passed.   She then asked me for my SS Card.  That is one item I keep stored away with my birth certificate.  I no longer keep it in my wallet. 

With all the planning I did for this, bringing along my social security card never came up.  I haven't needed to use on to get a job to 15 years.  Usually I walk into a place about delivering pizza and I get asked to show my license and insurance.  60% of the time I walk out with the job.  I have a map.

I'm supposed to show up on Tuesday with it, and am currently looking for SSA Offices, because my SS Card is in Illinois.  The office in Grand Junction is hard to find and isn't open until Monday.  4 people have given me directions, but I'm not finding it.  The other thing, on the Wednesday the 6th, every room in town is taken because of a bike race for the next 13 days. 

If I get this job, I will still be without a address for an undetermined amount of time.  I will be living out of a tent 8-16 miles outside of town either in a paid campsite or one of the few free campsites that I have found.  The part time job pays $140.00 per week plus tips if any.  I doubt that I will be able to cover my living expense.  It's hard not to think that getting this job is more to lessen the cost of a very long vacation.

I haven't had a good night sleep for 2 days.  The last night in Leadville, this noise spooked me and I couldn't help but think there was a bear out there. I can't believe that a sound could cause such a fit of fear.   Why would a bear choose my tent over everyone else's tent?  Because before calling it a night, I roll around in bacon grease. 

Last night in Colorado National Monument, it was windy for most of the night, and then it stopped and it became very quiet.  My tent had good cover, but it was on a slope and the sleeping bag slowly moved down hill.  Again every  noise freaked me out, this time, it was the old, "someone is out there" thought.

Looks like I'm in for a $60.00 room today.  I need a good night sleep.

At some point over the last few days, I questioned why I was pressing on with finding a job in Leadville, Colorado.  It took two restless nights of sleep for me to realize why I am pressing for this low paying job that won't cover my living expense.  If I take 2 steps in any direction and look up, I remember why I want to live here.

This is one place you don't want to miss.

Above is another picture of the Firehole River on Christmas Eve. This was taken from a bridge about 1/4 mile from Old Faithful which would be behind and to the right.

Stay tuned for my next set of photos. The Devil's Tower Climb!  My legs are better.

Bison along the Firehole River, 12-22-07.

On the first day of my summer vacation. I woke up. I went downstairs and hoped in my car and drove away.

The Campground: East Portal

The East Portal Campground is at the bottom of Black Canyon in Colorado. This is one of America's Top Campgrounds. To get there, take the long and winding roadway down into the Canyon. There are two options. My camp site is in an open clearing 30 above the Gunnison River. Down to the right, behind the trees and next to the river is very popular so you'll have to get there early to secure a spot in the trees. The campground has clear clean drinking water, and flush toilets. Remember to stock up on supplies at the convenient store just before you head down into the Canyon.

 

Here is  a better view. 

 
 

 

Coming Soon: Really Big Pictures: My Christmas In Yellowstone