This week we’re hanging out in Leadville where it has been raining…everyday. Not just everyday, but often all day. Since the beginning of July and the start of the monsoon season, we’ve been stuck in a weather pattern where it starts out sunny, clouds roll in after lunch, a few pop up showers/storms arrive in the afternoon, and then it clears for sunset. A little inconvenient for our normal schedule of after work activities, but all in all nothing to complain about. Well this is different. This is rain starting in the morning (it’s raining right now at 9 am) and continuing on and off all day. This is also a cold rain that has us breaking out the wool socks, piling on the sweaters, and even turning on the heat a few times.
Rainy day reflections
We’re making the best of this rainy situation by keeping busy inside and trying to get out in between rain storms. It was sunny when we arrived on Sunday and we wasted no time settling ourselves into yet another gorgeous boondocking spot to the west of town. A green sage brush filled meadow surrounds us, there’s not another RV in sight, and we have an incredible view of Mount Massive (the 2nd highest mtn. in CO). Well…sometimes we have a view. Most of the week the mountains have been at least partially, and sometimes completely, shrouded in clouds. Good thing I took this picture on Sunday while the sun was out.
Our very own meadow + a rare sunny day
Most of the week it has looked more like this.
What happened to the mountains?
One day in the middle of the week the sun graced us with its presence for a few hours in the morning and I ran out to get some pictures.
Best spot in the neighborhood
As you can see we are in a pretty prime spot. We discovered this boondocking area last year while we were staying at one of the national forest campgrounds a few miles down the road. Some other RVers had mentioned it, and after checking it out we decided that this year we wouldn’t even bother with the campground. The campground where stayed, Silver Dollar, was actually really nice with large sites and a path that lead down to the shores of Turquoise Lake. But for $18/night for no hook-ups you’re really not getting anything more than we have here besides a nearby water spigot and dumpster. Besides, we like the solitude and quiet here. The only thing we’re missing is easy access to the lake. But since it’s been raining so much who knows how often we really would have enjoyed it. There’s a 9-mile path that travels around the lake and we wanted to ride our bikes on it, but well, you know…rain. One day we drove over thinking we might at least take a small walk on the shore, but of course it started raining as soon as we got there. I did get one picture out the window.
Turquoise Lake looking not so turquoise
Luckily we’ve had some excitement to break up the monotony of all that rain. We got invited to a tie dye party with some fellow RVers! We first met Sam and Tracy this winter during the New Year’s Eve gathering in Anza Borrego. They spend a good portion of their summers in Leadville, so it only made sense to meet up while we were in town. I don’t remember the last time I tie dyed, but I can say for sure that this was the best tie dye party I’ve ever been to. Tracy wrote up some instructions before hand so we would know what to bring (white clothing for dying and ziplock bags to bring our clothes home in), and they supplied everything else from the bottles of dye, to a color chart, and giant bags of rubber bands. They also shared their expertise with us and gave lots of tips on the proper tie dye technique. Of course it rained on and off during our little party, but they had a great set up under their awning so we didn’t care.
A tie dye party!
We’re still waiting for our shirts to finish drying, but here’s the preliminary results.
Hippie Camp
I am pretty impressed by how good they look. I almost never wear patterned shirts, but I might have to make an exception on occasion for one of my snazzy new tees.
Despite the rainy weather, and our lack of activities, this week has flown by. We’ll be leaving on Sunday, but not before attending the big parade and annual Boom Days celebration tomorrow. Let’s hope the sun comes out!
7 comments
Looks like a lovely spot, rain or no rain! What a fun idea for a party! I’ve always be intrigued by tie dye but have never done it myself…cool!
I am glad we had some experts to show us the proper way to tie dye. Not sure how well it would have turned out otherwise :)
What a bummer about the weather, but that’s a gorgeous spot!
We have been having similar weather in MN, almost every morning using the fireplace to take off the chill. We have gotten pretty wet a few times while kayaking as clouds swooped in and brought a brief shower. I have never tie-died anything and would have loved this party.
We’ve been joking about how it’s colder here this week in the middle of the summer than it was all winter in the SW!
Here in Los Alamos NM, we have had a week that reminds of the northwest. Overcast, cloudy, misty mornings – afternoon and evening thunderstorms and torrential rain bursts. We need the rain, but it is coming too heavy in too short a time causing some flooding and mudslides. But the wildflowers have exploded around here. Intense couple of weeks. Hope your weather improves as you move on to your next spot.
Sounds like you’re having the same weather as us. Luckily around here there has been no flooding or mudslides. Glad to hear about the wildflowers :)