Routes and campgrounds in west

NCMODELA wrote:
I am looking into Durango, Custer state park and Arkansas river. Our 13 yr old is adopted and half Sauk Fox. And he has family in Shawnee Ok. That we may see if we can stop and see too. He has never met his fathers side of his family.

A place to stay somewhat near Shawnee might be Lake Thunderbird State Park. Lots of activities for the kids (and adults) and a very nice campground.

For ideas on routes and not-to-miss-sights in Colorado, if that's where you decide to go, see my blog at HERE. You can ignore the camping locations I have listed if you don't want to boondock or dry camp, but the rest may be of some help.

Obviously, if your wife and your 17 year-old can help with the driving, you can make better time. And, if you are going to Shawnee, then I suggest you take I-40 to US 84 at Santa Rosa, NM, then I-25 to Santa Fe, and US 285 into Colorado. From Alamosa, CO, you could make a loop in either direction to see many of the sights suggested previously--Durango, Mesa Verde NP, Silverton-Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM, Salida-Buena Vista, and Great Sand Dunes NP.

Those locations are about the only ones you will have time for in only 2 1/2 weeks. But it will give your kids brief impressions of not just the deserts and mountains of "The West" but of the Pueblos, the Anasazi, the routes of the 16th-18th century Spanish and 19th century American explorers, mountain men, cowboys-ranchers, gold and silver miners, railroad builders, and Great Depression-Dust Bowl "Okies" using Route 66 to get to a better life in California. And maybe those impressions will make them want to come back to the West again and again until they have seen it all!

As if that is a goal that is even possible to reach. I have lived in the West for 72 years and still not seen all of it. But I keep trying, so that's why I have an RV.