Trailing Rich n' Cyn

Whoa, we were on our way to Colorado Springs and three wild fires came into the picture.  One fire (Black Forest Fire) is just east and north of Colorado Springs moving west, it is very large, out of control, and dangerous.  One fire is west and another east of Colorado Springs.  I25 will likely be in danger of being closed.  We have decided to head directly West on a scenic highway to Pagosa Springs, N.M. But first, we booked an extra night here at Raton Pass, NM.

We moved 230 miles yesterday through remote high chaparral to Raton Pass (elevation 8900 feet).  Campground is named Cedar Rail Campground.  Our view is of the snow capped Sangre de Cristo mountains, but no pictures because of a hazy horizon.  Hope we can get a shot before we leave.   The manager told us "do not feed the mountain lions and bears" - right.  She advised us about a drive to take to see wildlife at sunset, and off we went.  We drove though the country a bit towards one of Ted Turner's ranches.  We saw a grizzly bear, several elk, mule deer, antelope, and turkey - not too bad for one evening.

This giant (Rich's word) grizzly bear ran across the road in front of our car.  As usual, with animal shots, we get so excited, our pictures don't turn out well.  The bear is in the center of the shot above, and if you click on it, you can see it better.  He made a hasty retreat into the forest.

Buck mule deer

Retreating bull elk

Two elk

 

  We passed though Capulin volcano lava flow and past the 85,000 acre TO Ranch.  Along the road we passed a town named Sophie, located 23 miles away down a dirt road.

Weather here is nice with 90 degree days (13% humidity) and 60 degrees at night.  We plan to follow the Highway of Legends and Santa Fe Trails today and off to Pagosa Springs tomorrow.  Gasoline prices are a killer @ $3.79.