Springfield, Missouri - trip is winding down & heading back east. July, 25th-26th, 2022

Nice one night stop in Springfield, Missouri. Got to cool down in the pool, panned for gems, and a delicous pecan pie for desert. Next stop & final stop before TN - Paduca, Kentucky KOA

We were all glad to be out of the truck and ready for the pool!

Arrived at our next campground, Springfield Route 66 KOA, Springfield, Missouri around 6pm for a one night stay. 

July 25th, 2022 - Left Dodge City, Kansas and heading east. Made a quick stop at Circles Pecans for pecan pie. Glad we stopped....everyone enjoyed the special post dinner desert, pecan pie and vanilla ice cream! 

July 23rd - 25th, 2022 next stop...Dodge City, Kansas. Last week of our summer trip.

The highlight of our trip to Dodge City was the waterpark located next to the campground. We stayed from open to close spending time  at all the water attractions. From water slides, to the lazy river, splash pads, swimming pools and more. This place was great! And entry was cheap....only $6 for adults and $4 fo kids. Fun day!!!

Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday spend a couple summers in Dodge City. The Radio broadcast and later tv show, Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City  

Standing outside the visitor center next to a statue of Marshal Matt Dillion (Gunsmoke) 

Breakfast stop at Miss Kitty's Cafe. 

Long travel day from Buena Vista to Dodge City, Kansas arriving at the KOA around 8pm. 

July 23rd, 2022 Mileage traveled on our summer journey (Dodge City, Kansas)

As of July 23rd we racked up 5865 total miles traveled since leaving Vermont and 4402 miles with the camper in tow. We reached these numbers upon arrival in Dodge City, Kansas. 

Buena Vista, Colorado - July 22nd, 2022 cont. PUMP TRACK fun!

Foster and Stella couldn't get enough of the pump track! Fun mountain bike track with a series of bumps, hills, and sloped banks for all ages. But ideal for beginner mountain bikers. Fun to see the kids enjoying the track so much! Even a boo boo that required a bandage didn't stop Foster from riding more.

One stop that turned out to be a favorite of the kids was the Buena Vista Pump Park. We ended going back to the park three times. 

Stella and Foster drawing pictures with the new markers and drawing pads that Stella received from the Tooth Fairy! 

Buena Vista, Colorado cont. July 21st, 2022 Hot Springs visit!

The creekside natural hotsprings was a fun experince as well! Cold water from the creek merged with natural piped in Hot Springs. Up against the wall, where Stella was sitting in the hot pod, the water was quite warm.  Fun, relaxing day!!!

Well well......somebody lost a tooth while swimming The Tooth Fairy made a special visit to Stella. 

Featuring multiple large pools, natural creekside hot springs, a waterslide, and private soaking areas, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is the ideal place for a relaxing day. 

July 21st, 2022 - Spent the day at Mount Princeton Hot Springs! Awesome views of the towering mountains as a backdrop from the infinity pool! 

Added Colorado to our road map!

Buena Vista, Colorado July 19th-23rd, 2022 (our summer camping journey)

The Alpine Tunnel Trail has it all: a historic ghost town, railroad history, primitive high alpine singletrack and a fantastic descent. The trail is a 6.3 mile out and back hike on an old railroad bed that was once the highest railroad tunnel in the world (11,523 ft.) and the first to be built through the Continental Divide. Plagued with train accidents, the railroad stopped running this stretch in 1910. This was an easy trail to hike, with not much elevation gain and scenic views! 

Above: remains of a saloon in one of the mining towns, Hancock - established in 1880 had a poplulation of 200. Elevation of 11, 027 feet.

Below: The Mary Murphy Mine was the principal gold mine of the Chalk Creek mining district of Chaffee County, Colorado, United States, near St. Elmo, Colorado.

On our first full day in Buena Vista went on a nice hike, but not before driving through several former mines. 

Foster made some new friends...the three amigos made their daily visit. 

We arrived at the campground, Valley Mobile RV Park in Buena Vista around 10pm....challenging back but made it happen. Not many ameneties here, however there is plenty to do in Buena Vista!