PIKE NATIONAL FOREST - BUFFALO SPRINGS (June 21, 2008)

We ventured to a new campground 13 miles south of Fairplay on US 285 called Buffalo Springs. There is about a mile of dirt road to get to the campground. Our Colorado camping book says Buffalo Springs is a "little-used campground." No kidding. We had the entire place to ourselves for most of our stay. Friday night only two other families set up camp. Saturday night one family arrived, so there were never more than 4 sites occupied.

 

The best site in the campground is 18. It is on a cul-de-sac all by itself. We were in site 8 which is the second best site due to its long distance from the neighboring sites. When we arrived on Friday afternoon, we were the only people in the campground. Too weird.

 

Here is the right side of site 8. If you want a peaceful weekend without camper neighbors, Buffalo Springs is a great place to go. Elevation is 9,100 feet high so the weather was just perfect for early Summer. It did not rain during out visit.

 

Buffalo Springs is a single loop campground with 18 sites. Looks pretty deserted, yes?

 

This is the view from the back of site 8.

 

Buffalo Springs has two vault toilet cabins, both with separate men's and women's facilities.

 

Lea and the girls caught up on scrapbooking during the trip.

 

Kendal brought her guitar along. There is a saying that goes, "Dance like nobody is watching..." Since the campground was empty, that is exactly what Cameron did.

 

Courtney loosens up while Cameron really pours it on.

 

What are we doing? Your guess is a good as mine.

 

Lea's foot was bothering her so she brought along her crutches. Yes, hiking with crutches is not fun.

 

Here is a very rare feature at Federal campgrounds - a water well. Courtney and Dad pumped some water for cooking spaghetti on Friday night. The water coming out of the ground was very cold and tasted great.

 

We found a hiking trail about 1/2 mile from the campground loop.

 

Great scenery at Buffalo Springs.

 

Cameron and Dad played some catch like we do almost every trip. Dad made Cameron laugh when he threw a pinecone instead of the ball.

 

Cameron and Courtney played Chess on the picnic table.

 

Here you see Courtney teaching Carly how to play Chutes and Snakes.

 

Kendal poses with Carly.

 

Have you ever eaten grilled cheese sandwiches that were actually grilled...on a grill? These were awesome. I used three different kinds of cheese.

 

On Saturday night I grilled pork tenderloin and vegetables.

 

S'mores! Kids never get tired of cooking food over the fire.

 

Our camping trips are never go go go. Sometimes we take 3-hour naps in the Outback. There is Lea catching up on her beauty rest.

 

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