Mid-summer was looming extra large in Texas, pounding us with a torturous relentless heatwave. Let's be real though--Texas summers are always agonizing to some degree (pun intended), and they seem even worse as we... um... age! To simplify--let's just say this year's heat is far worse by leaps and bounds!
We were thrilled when it was time to load the RV and visit the San Juan mountains of Colorado. There's not much that beats that rejuvenating, clean mountain air! Oh, and daily life beneath the magnificent aspens and towering evergreens is a joyful bonus that can put a special skip in my step!
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho,
Northwest Bound We Go!
After a full day's drive,
our first stop for the night was in
about 45 minutes north of Amarillo.
The City of Dumas offers
FREE
overnight RV parking in
Did somebody say FREE?
We're in!
The overnight area is basically a parking lot but it's easy to find and served it's purpose for the night. Only 3 RVs spent the night including us.
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The park itself is a shady little park
and the RV parking sites sit next to it.
The weather in Dumas made it clear that we were still in Texas but it can't fool us! We knew we were mere hours away from Colorado's soothing temps.
The beginning of those kind weather days were evident when we rolled on up to Del Norte, Colorado, population 1,509 as of 2020.
We settled in for two nights in the
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| The Rio Grande headwaters drifting by our campsite. |
The campground is on the banks of the
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| The early morning view from in front of our site. |
Morning, noon and night, the Rio Grande's gently rippling water played a relaxing tune. I would have gladly sang along but I have no doubt that the noises uttered from my mouth would clearly make a very bad karaoke singer sound stellar!
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| An early morning view from beside the RV. |
On the second day, we meandered Del Norte's main drag as a welcome and refreshing, light rain sprinkled it's blessings down. Along the way, we enjoyed some tasty local fare, and picked up meat, eggs and fruit at the weekly farmer's market. (We loved being here on farmer's market day!)
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| The Farmer’s Market on a bit of a rainy afternoon. |
I Spy With My Little Eye...
My quilt shop antenna was up so it didn't take long for me to spot, Kathy's Fabric Trunk! Yes, I brake for quilt shops (or have Geo do it).
The quilt shop's owner and employees were welcoming, and friendly. The abundance of luscious, colorful fabric and other attractive wares would joyfully overstimulate this ole noggin'.
Side note: Not one stitch has been sewn since moving into our new house but this overstimulated noggin' is ready to go now!
I made a purchase and had a hankerin’ to grab more of their fun wares but I reluctantly controlled myself. When I told the kind lady (perhaps the owner) who handled the purchase that we were from Texas, she replied:
"We love Texas! Texans come through here in the summer and that's what keeps us in business year ‘round!"
Those words warmed my heart! I'm always happy to buy local in these small towns! If we're ever headed to Del Norte again, Kathy's Fabric Trunk will be on my radar.
A Side Observance
Entrepreneurial businesses seemed to be plentiful in downtown Del Norte. We observed at least a handful of restaurants (no fast food here), a cool looking brewery, a couple of small grocery stores and more. We saw a Family Dollar Store and a few small chain places like that but mostly all business in the immediate downtown area and beyond seemed to be locally owned.
I would sum up Del Norte as an enjoyable little town! Oh, and with a very cool quilt shop!
Smiles,
D~~~~
