Roving Reports by Doug P: 2020-21 From Saratoga Springs Wy to Steamboat Springs Colorado

Saratoga Wyoming
Steamboat Springs Colorado

Campground: Saratoga Lake Campground. $15.00. 30 amp electric. Non potable water. Simple gravel sites, no trees, views of lake, picnic tables, grill. Restroom. Lots of space between campers, and the place does not accept reservations and it’s not crowded either.

Campground: Meadows Campground, NF. Near Steamboat Springs. $5 senior rate. Established campsites, picnic tables. Pit toilets, dumpster. No other facilities. No reservations, 1^st come 1^st served. Weekends are busy, but if you arrive Sunday-Thursday you’ll have no problem getting a spot.

Saratoga Wy.

I received a tip from a fellow traveler, Glen, who I had met in the forest outside of Payson AZ a couple months back. Nice to bump into travelers I’ve met along the way. And a great tip to finding the Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs. It consists of two official pools, one fairly hot but perfect once you get in. and the other one more around 90 degrees. One can even wade into the river where the hot springs flow. Surrounded by rock lined shallow pools. The community pool is currently only open for exercise classes due to Covid 19. The Hobo hot springs are open 24 hrs a day and sit behind the swimming pool complex.

these are shallow pools right where the hot springs come out

these are shallow pools where the hot springs come out into the river

I love hot springs and this is truly a gem. Free being the operative word and unspoiled by commercialism. The small town has a couple of restaurants that are operating with staff wearing face coverings. The other local high end gift shops and hardware stores, unfortunately, none of those workers are wearing protective face masks. Signs posted around town indicate the need to wear masks anytime entering an establishment. Most customers I’ve come across in this town are very considerate and are wearing face masks.

For being a small town. They have a large/long airport runway, specifically to handle numerous private jets. I saw about 10 off the runway the other day, but they often have 20+. The locals tell me that the rich have discovered this hidden oasis and have claimed it for their own. Surprisingly, a number of gift shops, fine art stores, restaurants, appear more high end than one would expect in such a small out of the way place. Looking at some of the menu’s online I’ve noted the cuisine appears to be high end as well.

This is more wide open prairie country and the winds really pick up in the afternoon, rather quickly I might add. Often reaching 45 mph. Don’t leave your awing out.

across the lake from my campsite

pronghorn

Wyoming had it’s last operating oil/gas rig close down about a week ago. Saudi Arabia has lowered their prices so much that it is not profitable for oil companies in the U.S. and here in Wyoming to remain open and producing. Especially with less demand for oil and gas around the world at this time. Wyoming has been producing gas and oil for over 135 years and will again, when economies improve and can support starting up again. Till then, all those workers, estimated at 100 workers/supporting workers per oil rig are currently out of a job. Hard on a state that has a population of only 578,759 for the entire state.

scene from Wyoming into Colorado
before reaching the Mountains

Driving along Interstate highway 80 was surprisingly busy. Heavy traffic in both directions, lots of truckers as well as non commercial vehicles and rv’s. The speed limit is 80 mph, and I usually go 65 mph. Meaning, everyone eventually passes me on the 4 lane highway. I actually enjoy driving the Class C Rv, but find that going any faster than 65 is not comfortable. Actually 65 feels like I’m zooming along, perhaps due to the boxy nature of the camper. And of course any faster and the gusty winds do not feel great. So 65 mph is fine with me.

Distance Traveled: 113 miles
Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Well, being as close as I am to Steamboat Springs and my friends Gail and Dave, I had to see if I could find a spot to camp and visit with these fine folks.

Dave and Gail, served a nice BBQ outdoors
remember TV trays.... now that brings back memories

The drive through the rest of Wyoming(hwy 230) was just the prettiest mountain meadows surrounded by pines and wouldn’t you know it, I crossed over the Continental Divide once again. I must have crossed it at least a half dozen times in the past couple of weeks.

views of the Yampa Valley, as I head back up Rabbit ears pass

Now hwy 14 in Colorado, heading towards Steamboat was a totally different story. Yes, there were some beautiful farms and ranches in the green valleys as the terrain became more mountainous. Not that I was able to enjoy much of it on this narrow two lane highway. With steep drop offs around every curve in the road and of course, not a single guard rail to be found. Along with some really big rigs traveling along hwy 14, I was pretty much glued to driving and keeping within my lines. I might add the gusty winds did not do much for the ride either. Though the Class C camper handled it pretty good. I couldn’t imagine towing my 5^th wheel along this route.

views from the bike trail, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

I had a couple dispersed campsites along the way to check out, but when I saw the established NF campground, I circled back to it rather quickly. Having found the dirt roads leading to the dispersed sites were pretty rutted and made of clay. My camper has very low clearance so good roads are a must.

Coming into Steamboat Springs from the campground was quite the exciting drive. About a 5 mile long 7% grade all downhill of course. Zippy did good in 3^rd gear and I only had to touch the breaks occasionally. Anytime I see a Run-away ramp, it’s time to be extra cautious.

weekend traffic was really bad, Steamboat Springs

awesome bike path along the river/town

I think my friend Gary L would love to do a bit of fly casting here.

Steamboat is a very popular ski resort and Dave tells me it has recently been purchased by the Corp. that owns Aspen. So it’s bound to only get bigger as time goes on. The traffic in town was unbelievable congested. Possibly due to a major highway (I-70) beginning closed due to wild fires. Still, the town itself was packed to the rafters as the saying goes with tourists everywhere. The town was one of the first to instigate strict Covid 19 protocols. I went to the large ACE hardware store, where we had to wait in line, as they only permitted a couple people into the store at one time. Face coverings required for everyone.

I’m not sure how much touring I’ll be able to do in this area, as I have tried all summer to avoid crowded scenes like I’ve seen today. I was talking to a health care worker from Jackson Wy the other day, a similar size town heavy with tourists. She told be they were averaging 20 Covid cases a day until they recently went to requiring face masks in town. Reducing the daily rate to 3 or 4.

I’ve enjoyed visits with Dave, Gail and Ginney (their dog). Yesterday, I drove down off the hill, saw a car that had gotten really banged up. On the opposite side of the road lay a large Elk. An unusual spot for the elk and disastrous for the vehicle and passenger.

Well, anyway I was heading to their excellent bike path through town. Along a nice green-way and river. Views of the surrounding ski slopes and vacation homes. Went a number of miles, all close if one wanted get off of it to head into town. I would eventually head back and find a Starbucks coffee shop as a treat. Though the bike ride itself was a major treat. Hoping to be able to do it again. Oh and a botanical gardens are along the bike path, so definitely need to return and do that.