Friday May 26th- We get fixed, and make it to Gunnison/Curecanti NRA

We were up at 0630, and at 7, we checked in with the Day crew at the International Shop, and what was set up was that a part was being air shipped from Las Vegas, due in by UPS at 1030-1130.  So, Bette and I ran over to McDonalds for breakfast and a paper, then I dropped her back at the coach, then went over to the Colorado State University Campus in Pueblo and got a pin and a gift for Coach Sabbatini. 

Then back to the dealership to wait out the delivery, and then I discovered that they had also ordered another sensor from Colorado Springs, to be delivered by their courier, due in by noon.  So one of the other was going to fix the issue.

The problem was quickly solved when the UPS lady showed up with no part for me. 

So, the sensor was installed, (took 3 minutes), where I was billed for an hour and 6 tenths in Tennessee....  and we were pronounced cured, and sent on our way.  The repair was done as a warranty for the failed part that Tennessee had put on, which Pueblo claimed was the incorrect part.  Not my problem, other than having to deal with the fact of losing two days of trip plans, and having to be towed.... 

We drove for 171 miles, leaving Pueblo at about 1215 or so, and pulled into the Elk Creek Campground here at Curecanti National Recreation Area, 15 miles west of Gunnison Colorado.  Sure enough, our spot was being held, even though it is Memorial Day Weekend, and we were a day and a half late!  The site is wonderful, concrete pad, 50 amp service, but woops, no water!  My bad.  Cost with discount card is 11 a night.  See if you agree:

We were a bit worried when we arrived, there had been very high winds as we came into the valley over the Monarch Pass..

The trip over was 171 miles, all on US 50.  We left Pueblo on flat 4 lane roads, then got to Canon City, for the third time on this trip!  We started to climb up a bit into the foothills, then through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon, the started the 9 mile climb up the Monarch Pass...  It goes up to 11,400 feet or so.. We were very much in the snow, which is still on the mountains on Memorial Day weekend..

Here's another shot of the range we traveled through:



For the most part today, the weather was very nice-  highs in the lower 70's, but as we got over the Pass, the winds started, probably sustained of 25-30 mph.  As I write this at 7:20, the winds have stopped, but the forecast calls for windy days for the next two days. 

Tomorrow, we plan to "do" Curecanti National Park, and check out the 25 mile drive that is featured here.  We may combine a trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which is next door, or may wait until tomorrow to do that.  Probably will wait until Sunday.