Saying good bye to the Fall Aspens

Mike and I took the Blue Mule out on one last trip on Oct 3.  Jack and Barbara brought their jeep along as well.  The aspen were great.  It was a beautiful fall day.

Aspen Ridge, Oct 3, 2013

A week later, we drove up to Cottonwood Pass (in the truck) to see the snow and the last of the aspen along South Cottonwood Creek.  It's getting chilly, and winter keeps lashing at the 14'ers.

South Cottonwood Creek, Oct 12, 2013

Cottonwood Pass, Oct 12, 2013
looking into Taylor Park

-- m38MuM

It's Just a Memory Now

Thank you everyone for making this a great CFFC Fall Color Tour!  Just a quick look back at some of the photos, then it's forward thinking to next year.

Hope to see you all next year.  Wishing you all safe travels, and good jeeping!

-- m38MuM and m38Mike

Cottonwoods and Aspens

The last big tour for the CFFC 2013 Fall Color Tour was up South Cottonwood Creek. The group first headed to Buena Vista the back way via Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and Rodeo Road.

In Buena Vista, they topped off their gas tanks and then headed west along Cottonwood Creek. Taking the south fork, they went up past Cottonwood Lake.

Motoring up past the golden aspen

At the end of the road, they stopped to check out the old mining activity. It's always a favorite place to climb around in.

On the way back down, they detoured onto a road that Mike had heard about from a buddy at work. This took them up to another mine and a neat, old cabin. There were some spectacular views up there.

Great panaroma views

Jeeps all lined up in the saddle of the mountain

Aspen covered hillside

That evening we had our Fall Color Tour potluck at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Steve made his famous elk chilli and apple pie, while everyone else supplemented that with the likes of a spiral ham, garlic bread, fruit salads, corn bread, deer burgers, chips and salsa, berry pie. No went to bed hungry!

Pictures thanks to m38Mike.

-- m38MuM

Follow the bouncing... tire, and you might find Aspen Ridge

Today's CFFC Fall Color Tour was the "grand tour" up on Aspen Ridge. You will have to ask Mike about the bouncing tire. Other than that, it was a pretty uneventful day. The weather was super, with sunshine all the way. The group was glad to be dry and warm for a change.

The "Grand Tour" all lined up

This year, the 19 jeeps reversed the route by heading north to cross over Fisherman's Bridge. From there they headed to Ruby Mountain and Bald Mountain Gulch. Passing the Castle, they wound around the backside of Aspen Ridge and then came out in Bassam Park.

In Bassam Park, they detoured up to Futurity. Futurity is a fun old ghost town with just a few buildings. While there, you have to check out the Futurity Hilton.

Visiting Futurity

Next, the tour headed south through Bassam Park to the spot where you can view a very large stand of aspen. It is actually several clones that frequently turn gold in stages. However, this year, everything was still shades of green.

Viewing GREEN aspen trees

Continuing south, the group drove through the various aspen stands. They did the hill climb for some great photo ops, and then down to the marble quarries. From there they picked up the Ute Trail and dropped down into Salida.

Blue Mule in his element

After a quick wash up and wind down from the day's travel, the entire group headed to Coyote Cantina. It's always a great time, as stories get told and adventures regaled.

Fall Color Tour Dinner at Coyote Cantina

Pictures from m38Mike

-- m38MuM (Ellen)

Climbing Mt. Princeton or Thank goodness for jeep mechanics!

I think the word of the day is "frustration". After a morning of shop-time, everything seemed all set for the ascent of Mt. Princeton. The group of 19 jeeps set out just after lunch for the Vista.

Almost immediately, the Blue Mule and another jeep returned to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Could it really be that the throttle cable broke, again???? Yep, SIGH! So, another fix was in order. But, soon they were back on the road.

Things seemed to be going well after that until about 2/3rd of the side. One of the jeeps needed to have it's coil replaced. Everyone stopped and waited. Two jeeps returned back to the TDR about that same time. One had nicked the radiator hose with the fan.

We listened on the radio to the action up on the mountain side, unable to do much of anything from here. Fortunately, there were enough spare parts among the jeeps, that they got the jeep up there going. That was just in time to encountered a modern jeep coming down the narrow road and one coming up from behind! And NO place to turn around or move over. They did find a spot, and got the down-hill traffic past the convoy.

So, on to the top was about the only choice left. They checked things out before quickly heading back down. Everyone was pretty cold from the shadow of the mountains and just sitting and waiting for repairs. Now that it's about 5:30 pm, the clouds have finally really parted, and it is sunny down here at the Thirsty Dirt. I wait patiently for their return, and will have a fire going for them.

Update:
In spite of the issues, it seems they did have a good afternoon. Here are a couple of m38Mike's photos to show they had some fun. Looks like they even found some GOLD leaves.

The road up the side of Mt. Princeton

General Willys making it over the crest

Gathered up at the Vista

AND, tonight was the full, harvest moon. It came up about sundown. After dinner, 11 jeeps headed out to the Raspberry Gulch/Brown's Creek area for a midnight cruise. It wasn't exactly midnight, but once out there, they turned off their headlights and drove by moonlight. It sounds like it was awesome, and a great way to finish out the day.

-- m38MuM

Rain, rain go away!

The weather did not hold, and on the day that was suppose to be dry (or drier), it poured. I hear tell, it even hailed a bit. At times the wind howled. But, for the most part, I think they enjoyed most of the trip.

The CFFC Fall Color Tour took the group to the Four Mile ORV Area. This large area of BLM and National Forest lands has road management to accommodate a variety of off-road uses. People dirt bike, ride ATVs, take their 4x4s, and even their horses through out the area. Some roads are designated just for narrow-widths like ATVs or horses, while others are open to all. There has been a great deal of stream restoration, and protection of heritage sites.

It's a fun area, with easy trails and some rough ones, too. The group headed out of Buena Vista north across the river to the old Midland RR grade. From there they headed east into the ORV area. They wound their way around and over into Chubb Park.

By the time the arrived back at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch, I had a fire in the wood stove, and the coffee pot on. After everything dried off, they began to accumulate in the Tajamagarage to tell the day's war stories. To put it mildly, there were a few issues out on the trail.

But, it appears to be nothing that can't be fixed! Of course, these are old Willys and these guys are all really into old Willys. There is always someone in the group that seems to either have the needed part or know how to fix a problem.

Jeff C. stayed behind today to help Jack figure out his transmission issue. It got resolve, and Jack's jeep is just about ready for the trail.

Tomorrow, the group is having a "garage day" in the morning. By noon they hope to be out on the trails again. The forcast (at the moment) doesn't include rain!

-- m38MuM (Ellen)

So, where do all these people come from?

Every year this event gets bigger.  Or, at least it seems so.  This year my list of people that are here or are expected to come is around 45.  Not everyone is able to bring their jeep, but we always have extra seats.

The first time we held the Fall Color Tour at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch, we only have one couple from out of state (that I recall, anyways).  Now, over half of the attendees are from out of state.  Here's how the count looks:

• Colorado - 20
• Illinois - 4
• Indiana - 4
• Iowa - 4
• Missouri - 4
• New York - 2
• South Carolina - 1
• Texas - 2
• Virginia - 1
• Washington - 2
• Ohio - 1

- m38MuM

The ascent of Mt. Antero

The Fall Color Tour tackled Mt. Antero today. Mt. Antero is one of Colorado's Fourteeners. In other words, the top is higher than 14000' above sea level. When you sit on our deck, it is the peak to the left (south) of Mt. Princeton.

I think I'll let m38Mike's photos speak for themselves. The trip was a little bit rough, getting above 13000'. But, there were views to be had and water to splash in.

Pausing in the timber

Splashing in Baldwin Creek

Admiring the view at 13000'

The road back down

The group also visited St. Elmo and then came down the old road to Alpine before returning to the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Ten jeeps enjoyed the trip.

This evening we are expecting a couple more jeeps.  One has arrived from Texas so far.

- m38Mum (Ellen)

Sunshine after a rainy week

Yesterday was the first day of the 2013 CFFC Fall Color Tour. Jeepers began arriving at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch amid more torrents of rain.  In between rain showers, tents were erected and jeeps unloaded. The evening was spent huddle around jeeps with talk of transmissions and brake lines and such.

5-man Arctic tent from Korean War

Today was the first ride. A group of six old jeeps headed up Bald Mountain Gulch and east across Aspen Ridge into South Park. From there they headed south and around to Ute Trail, which brought them down to Salida. Luck was with them, and they only encountered one brief area of rain.

Stretch break in a nice open meadow

Meanwhile, the Thirsty Dirt Ranch greeted three more jeeps. By evening, another jeep arrived, bringing the total of jeeps to 10.

More jeep talk and a impromptu sing-along filled the evening. A few problems were solved, and plans were made to get parts to solve other problems. Never a dull moment!

Singing to the Coyotes!

Photos are by m38Mike.

-m38MuM (Ellen)

Are you ready for some... FALL LEAVES!

Next week, by this time, the yard will be starting to fill up. There will be old Willys jeeps, people, tents, campers, and all kinds of things. But, right now it's pretty quiet.

It has been unseasonably warm. The night time temperatures have been in the high 40's. We are hoping it is doing some freezing up high, in order to get the aspen leaves to turn.  The very top of Aspen Ridge looks like it is getting some color.

Jack watching as
Mike maneuvers the engine into place

Mike, Jack, and Don have been working out in the Tajamagarage, on the wiring for Jack and Barbara's Willys. They are hoping it will be ready for the Fall Color Tour.

Mike has lots of fun rides planned. The house and yard are getting into shape. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone for the 2013 CFFC Fall Color Tour!

- m38Mum and m38Mike

The promise of a beautiful sunset

E-W enjoying the sunset

See you all in just two weeks!

- Ellen (m38mum) and Mike (m38mike)

One Month and Counting

It is one month until the CFFC Fall Color Tour. Just one month! We have a zillion things we need to still do. This year, the weeds and grass are getting a haircut because they have grown like crazy with all the monsoon rain. Interesting to feel like we actually have a yard instead of living in the middle of a knee deep pasture. Mike's out mowing as I write this:

Mowing the Thirsty Dirt Ranch!

A couple of the current bushes, and my baby elm tree are starting to change colors. I hear tale that up high, you can find a few aspen that have started the change. That's really not too unusual at this time of year, but it always makes me nervous that the leaves will all change too soon!

Looking forward to seeing everyone. Mike tells me that we have a bunch of new faces joining us. It is fun to meet so many people that love these old flat fenders.

Speaking of flat fenders, we are taking Electro-Willys to the car show out at Limon this coming weekend. This will be the fourth show this year. At the Salida car show, E-W won the "Most Unusual" trophy. E-W certainly is an unusual flat-fender. Does anyone else know of a conversion to all-electric?

Smiling faces at the Salida car show.

- Ellen (m38Mum)

Thoughts of fall already!

Today I find myself thinking more and more about this year's CFFC Fall Color Tour. It's a fall-like day only because we are finally having monsoon weather after several years of almost no monsoon.

Dillon in his dad's CJ3A north of Canyon City, CO
photo by Steve Lippoldt (08/05/2013)

It started raining last night, just as some new jeeping friends arrived to camp out overnight at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch. Steve and his son Dillon came out from Kansas and are on their way to Taylor Park. They had hoped to do some jeeping and ATVing on this side of the mountains when they got here.

They met up yesterday with Mike at the Forest Service office, and he outlined some trails in Four Mile. After they spent the day over in Four Mile, they came out to the house. We had a nice dinner, and had lots of talk of jeeps and trails and places to go next time. And the WEATHER!

The plan today was for them to head up into the country around St. Elmo, or depending on weather, possibly over to Bald Mountain Gulch. Well, it drizzled all night and clear through the day. I think they decided to just head on over to Taylor Park and the nice dry cabin that awaited them.

I am thankful for all this rain. It is incredibly green for August. I am thinking this should make for a very beautiful fall. Steve, we hope to see you joining the group on the CFFC Fall Color Tour this year.

- Ellen (m38Mum)