While driving through Kansas was not as boring as one would think, arriving to mountains was greater than our expectations! Even with the delays in Denver and through the first tunnel on i-70, and one more heavy delay near Georgetown, where we witnessed a horrific 3 car accident the drive West was spectacular.  Also learning our RV’s capabilities to downshift on the 7% downhill stretches of steep gradient!  (They probably don’t make brakes like they used to!)  All still makings for an amazing Rocky Mountain welcome!

We arrived to our campground just before midnight and chose our site in the dark.  We could hear the river, but had no idea what we would wake up to.  Well… we woke up to mountain paradise….literally.  Nestled in a valley,  and feet away from the Crystal River, just outside the small town of Carbondale.  We also woke up with 2 cats, 2 dogs, a fish and kid in our BED because it was in the upper 40’s in our RV!  ,

That morning we took in the sites and drank our delicious hot coffee along the river bank.  Mid morning Savannah took her first required online Calvert Academy virtual class, along with 100 kids from all over the world.  Before class they were all chatting it up, boasting about their current locations. 

After completing Savannah’s lessons for the day, we ventured out for some white water rafting on the Colorado River!  The morning sunshine warmed things up nicely.. mid 60’s and gorgeous.  However the rafting proved to be a little different story!  Once we hit the water a small, very COLD squall blew through with 20 kt winds and temps dipping in the lower 50’s, making for a cold wet windchill factor!  However the cold was quickly forgotten as we navigated class III rapids, surrounded by the canyons, trains, and bike paths.  Absolutely gorgeous, despite the drizzle, sleet and cloud cover!

Rafting was followed by a riverside campfire, mountain sunset, delicious dinner, and smores!