FLOODING IN COLORADO

Saturday, September 7th we left the Fort Morgan project with me driving to Denver for an oil change for the motor home.  We then proceeded through Colorado Springs and up the mountain road past Pikes Peak to the town of Woodland Park and pulled into our new home for a few days at the Diamond RV Park.  We have stayed at this RV park several times and have enjoyed it.  The weather is usually cooler.  The elevation is about 8500 feet.  I forgot to deflate the Sleep Number mattress and it was full as a tick.  We had some nice walks in the park watching deer.  The bear has not returned this year and since we are parked near the front across from the club house we have not seen the fox this year.  At the pot luck, one gentleman told us he had seen a bull moose a week before in the field next to the park.  The pitter patter of rain drops on the roof lulled us to sleep and we slept in for several mornings, late for us. (We are not early risers usually)  Between the rain and the cooler weather, it has been a welcome relief for Allan after having to work on the roof of the church in 95-100 degree weather.

One day we drove the road to the Rampart Reservoir which was dirt/gravel most of the way.  There were a few spots where we could look down on the town of Woodland Park.  I never knew there was a road up there.  The road was closed to the reservoir, but we were able to see the burned area from the Waldo Canyon Fire.  We were told the fire got within four miles of the town and evacuation preparations were being made, but the fire was contained short of the town.  Unfortunately we forget to bring our camera.

 We made the right decision to come to Woodland Park at this time because of the deluge and flooding of the front range from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins.  It seems like everywhere we have traveled along the front range there is now devastation from the flooding.  If you recall our post about our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park where we had pictures of bighorn sheep in the canyon. This is called Big Thompson River Canyon.  There was a terrible flood in 1976 where 145 people were killed here.  It has experienced another flood this week.  People are being evacuated by helicopter because roads and bridges have been washed away.  You have probably seen pictures on the news.  Even the town of Fort Morgan where we last worked has flooding and evacuation in some areas.  The church is on higher ground and has not been affected.

One day last week Hwy 24 between Woodland Park and Colorado Springs was closed due to flooding and mud slides.  This is not the first time it happened this year.  The Waldo Canyon fire of 2012 has left the mountain sides with little vegetation to hold back the rain and mud.  The next day they had two of the four lanes open and we drove down as far as Manitou Springs.  They were working on the other two lanes trying to divert the water and mud.

Today we drove to Colorado Springs to do some shopping.  The sun came out at times, but we still have thunder storm warnings.  We drove into the town of Manitou Springs today.  Two of the three exits are closed.  One road is totally washed out in areas.  They were still busy cleaning up the mud and debris.

Saturday, Allan went to the "Cruise Above the Clouds Car Show" in Woodland Park which is know as the town  above the clouds.

I just had to add a picture of Katie sun bathing and wanting a tummy rub.

From 2013-09-16

We were introduced to "goat heads" while working at Fort Morgan.  I kept wondering why they were called by this name until I took a much closer look.  They do look like goat heads and cause great discomfort if they get in your shoes. 

From 2013-09-16

Thursday is predicted to be a sunny day which is good as we plan to leave for Buena Vista then.