Across the Plains into Arkansas

Across the great plains we went and into Arkansas

 Coffee Pitstop

Drove the 70E to 135S and through 

TULSA! It was awesome!!!

Took a quick jaunt on Route 66

resupplied in Fayetteville (which was a really cool town)

Then headed into the Ozarks for what we thought would be a nice warm change of pace in the woods for four days. 

And it was great for the first day and a half

Until the campground was shut down due to a flood warning on the Mullbury river (4-6" of rain in the forecast) and we had to head for higher ground.

So we found an awesome site on the hill and braced for the storm- which was HUGE!

The next day was dry (relatively speaking) and we were afforded the opportunity to go on a great hike. 

After discussing our options and removing a large number of ticks at the fire that evening we decided to do a two night backpacking trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail.

But we woke up to another downpour and more ticks we thought it would be best to head to Little Rock to visit our friends Laura and Mark

After Annette beat me twice in chess...

and we visited the William Clinton Dential Library 

toured a distillery 

and had a whompin' good time

Heading to the North Carolina-Tennessee boarder today to embark on a 200 mile section of the Appalachian Trail from the Nantahala Outdoor Center to Erwin TN. 

Rocky Mountain High

Wow! What a great trip it has been. Sorry for the delay, we have been so busy visiting friends, boating, and hiking we haven't had time to sit down for a few minutes and write. 

but we do now...

After leaving the desert we rolled into Denver to meet our awesome friends Ryan and Jess. After a few days in the city we hit the road for Taos, New Mexico for some adventures on the Rio Grande

The land of enchantment

Not a bad ride at all

Pit stops and friendly dogs

Alas, the Rio Grande

Fun Fact! Unlike the the Colorado River forming the Grand Canyon, the Rio Grande found the already existing Rio Grande Gorge. 

After a night of shenanigans on the Canyon Rim we hit the trail for the Manby Hotsprings on the bank of the river- and it was great!

Until the hippies showed up....

 and, 

well, 

you can see what was goin on...

Fun Fact #2! The Manby Hotsprings are where the movie Easy Rider was shot- Live to Ride

Then it started snowing

So we went to some Earthship hippy houses- they were pretty cool!

And made friends with big cats

After heading back to Denver for a few more days we hit the road to Ft Collins to check it out and visit our good friend Grace and her big cat Ale

And go on some brewery tours

Thanks for the awesome experience New Belguim!

Then up to the woods to kayak the Arkansas, Eagle, and Poudre. 

Mountain views from the river

Annette in Browns Canyon

Awesome campsite just north of Buena Vista

Big Horn Sheep on the Numbers

Pine Creek Rapid

The Royal Gorge

Second Highest Suspension Bridge in the World

Good Times

Then Peter came to visit!

and we went to the Poudre!

Brief rain

Then sun

What a blast- now headin' East for more adventures on the other side of the Great Plains

Annette- going into Kansas