SPRUCE CABIN - MUELLER STATE PARK (Memorial Day Weekend) |
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We sold our 2004 Outback 26 RS after the 2008 camping
season. Now we "camp" by renting cabins in the mountains. Our inaugural
cabin-camping trip was to the Spruce Cabin at Mueller State Park. For the
2009 season, the rate is $180/per night. It is a 3-bedroom, 3/4 bath cabin
with finished walk-out. Capacity is limited to 6 people and pets are not
allowed.
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As Cameron indicates, we stayed in the Spruce Cabin. Also
available is the 4-person Pine Cabin and the 10-person Ponderosa Cabin.
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Each cabin has dedicated parking for its overnight
visitors.
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One side of the cabin.
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The back of the cabin. Notice the covered walk-out
and great deck.
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The deck. Not pictured is the gas grill.
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Mom, Kendal, and Court check out the deck.
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Great view from the deck.
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The kitchen is fully equipped. All we needed to bring was
food, clothing, and toiletries.
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The family room has a leather couch, two leather chairs,
and gas river-rock fireplace.
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The hallway leads to two bedrooms and the
bathroom.
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Bedroom #1. All queen beds. Great mountain decor in all
the rooms.
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Bedroom #2.
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Bedroom #3 in the basement was the largest.
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The finished walk-out basement included a couch and
uncomfortable hide-away bed.
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Cameron helps Mom in the kitchen while Kendal studies for
finals and Courtney reads a book.
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The bathroom was nice and included an ADA shower. You
avoid a shower flood by making sure the curtain falls inside the curb.
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Dad and Court play some backgammon.
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We played LOTS of cards on this trip. The kids favorite
games are Hearts and Spades. For the next trip I will teach them how to play
Bridge.
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Mom helps Kendal study for her Spanish final using flash
cards.
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Just like we did when camping in our Outback, our first
dinner is spaghetti.
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Randy's Outbacker buddy Colorado Chip (right) booked a
campsite at Mueller as well. Chip's brother Ryan is left.
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On the second night I grilled tons of vegetables,
marinated chicken, salmon, and beef kabobs. Hey, we eat well when on
vacation. Chip's family joined us as well. All the pressure was on Randy to
not burn anything.
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On the 3rd night, Chip took over the grill. He cooked
hamburgers from cattle raised on Ryan's ranch. They were good...really good.
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The kids were hungry. There they are waiting for the
grill masters to finish up.
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The Denver Nuggets played game 3 against LA on Saturday
evening. Chip was able to get good reception in his Outback 26 KBRS so we
could watch the game on a flat-panel TV. Pictured left to right is Chip,
Trish (Chip's wife), Melea, Ryan, and Randy. Cameron took the picture.
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Chip's Outback 26 KBRS. We had rain for much of Saturday.
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On Sunday evening we gathered at Chip's site to make
s'mores right before a rain storm hit. There is Kendal playing with Evelyn.
Kendal babysits Evelyn and Mitchell when the Moms and Dads go out together.
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Trish and Mitchell take cover under the awning right
after we finished making s'mores.
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The smoke from the doused fire combined with the setting
sun and the forest trees created a really neat picture.
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Taking a walk through the campground to see all the
campers.
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Here is a very popular campsite at Mueller. Look at that
view. Site 42 in Conifer Ridge, I believe? The neighboring sites are pretty
close but the view is great.
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More great scenery at Mueller.
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On the way home from a southern Colorado campground we
usually stop at Fargo's Pizza.
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Our cabin-camping transportation is a 2006 Mercedes-Benz
R500.
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