kyle86 wrote:
Well, We made the trip!!! I took padredw's route almost to the letter.
Shreveport LA has some terrible road, but it made up for it with the best cajun food i've ever had at herby k's. Stayed in a few walmart parking lots. I stayed at spencer's campground in paris texas. Visited the jack's RV museum in amerello Tx. Also enjoied trennedad co. 190 gallons of premium fuel and 1500+ miles. What an adventure so far.
Going between witchTa falls tx and amerello we hit a nasty hail storm which forced us to pull over. Then an hour later I hit a flooded out road which was scary not being able to see or steer. Then a tad further down another flooded road with an emergency crew working. I had to drive about 1/4 mile of flooded road. Very sketchy because you could not tell what was road and where ditch was, just murky brown water and pitch black outside. About a foot deep maybe a little more. Passed a 1/2 sunk semi with driver trying to get someone to get him out of passenger side. Also a car so flooded in the ditch only headlights and bumper visible. It was nerveracking, thankfully the lord has been with us. Made it through with just brush and branches stuck up under the truck. Then some really nasty fog. I learned that you don't travel at night!
Hit some long hills going into NM which caused truck to hunt gears constantly especially pulling into the wind. Ended up dropping to 2nd gear and just going 45mph LOL. Raton pass was very hilly too. I learned to just let the truck do what it wants. If it had to downshift I just held that gear. Mostly 3rd the whole way. My weight was 15k total which was a lot go ask of my 6.0 chebby. I'm very thankful that I made it through my first long trip okay. One trailer brake went bad after the inner seal failed and slung grease all in the drum so I made the whole trip on 3 brakes. Also one spring eye bolt started rotating in the shackle which I will need to fix. Minor stuff thankfully!
Overall awesome trip for me so far. I am really enjoying colorado, especially the nice cool weather and beautiful mountains!
OH the Adventure.........
Where are you staying? I just flew out for a week with the Granddaughters - the weather was Perfect - pants/AM - shorts/Noon then Pants/After 6:00 - most of the high passes are now open/Trail Ridge and Independence, but still a ton of snow in the mountains - creeks are all full and it is just BEAUTIFUL.
If in Buena Vista look for K's right in the middle of the Rt 24 stip in town - good lunch and a nice park to eat in. then in Leadville look for Quincy's for the best buy on a steak dinner - we love both and always stop when in the area. Green Chilly is the dish to search for,DDD.
So much to see and do will love to hear about your adventure in the Rockies.
BOL,
