Hey, all.

Thank you so much to our amazing RVerTV fans for taking the time to check out this page and dive deeper into our HECK YEAH Summer Travel Series! We're thrilled you're here learning more about these incredible adventures, and we hope you absolutely love watching every single episode. Your enthusiasm and support for our travel content is what drives us to keep exploring and sharing these amazing destinations with all of you—so sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey with us!

~~~Russ

Afterword: Sky High Adventure: (Leadville Colorado) at 10,500ft

Leadville, Colorado, at 10,500 Feet!

You just experienced one of America's most badass mountain towns with me—Leadville, Colorado, where the air was thin but the history ran DEEP! At that lung-busting 10,500 feet above sea level, you saw how this place isn't just high on elevation—it's high on pure Rocky Mountain magic.

You watched me wander through those downtown streets lined with century-old buildings that had stories carved into every weathered board. As you could see, these weren't just pretty facades—they were survivors from the wild mining boom days when fortunes were made and lost faster than you could pan for gold!

You saw me go full history nerd at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, then dive even deeper into Leadville's gritty past at the Historical Society. We explored authentic mining gear, incredible artifacts, and tales of the tough-as-nails miners who called this sky-high town home. That stuff was the real deal!

When the mountain air finally got to me, you watched me crash at that local RV park where camping literally meant sleeping closer to the stars. As you could see, those views from up there definitely made for some Instagram-worthy moments!

Then: Conquering TWO 11,000ft+ Passes in Colorado!

What an absolutely INSANE mountain journey you just experienced with me through Colorado's most spectacular high country! We climbed from Leadville's thin air up and over TWO massive mountain passes, hitting 11,500 feet of pure Rocky Mountain majesty!

You saw us start in sky-high Leadville as we attacked those legendary mountain passes! We explored the haunting Climax Mine ruins together—where mining history met those breathtaking views you witnessed. You experienced Chalk Mountain & Prospect Pass at 11,000 ft with me—above the treeline and into the clouds! We discovered Officers Gulch Pond & Recreation Area—that pristine alpine hiking that literally stole our breath.

THE BIG KAHUNA: You conquered Loveland Pass at 11,500 ft with me—those Continental Divide views were absolutely UNREAL! We explored historic Georgetown together—that Victorian charm nestled perfectly in the mountains. And you saw our final destination: Idaho Springs with all those museum adventures, whitewater rafters on Clear Creek, and that sweet creekside camp spot where we ended this epic journey!

Following That: Colorado US Highway 40: (Rocky Mountain Small Town) Hidden Gems
 
What an unforgettable RV adventure you just experienced with me through Colorado's stunning Highway 40 corridor, where rugged Rocky Mountain beauty met authentic small-town America! You saw our journey begin in the historic mining town of Empire, nestled high in the mountains, before we wound through some of Colorado's most spectacular scenery on our way to Granby.

In Granby, you stepped back in time with me at that fascinating railroad museum, exploring the rich history of Colorado's mountain railways that once connected these remote communities to the outside world. Those exhibits told incredible stories of engineering triumph and frontier determination that shaped this remarkable region—and you got to see it all!

Following the crystal-clear Colorado River northward, you experienced the peaceful beauty of those high-country ranching communities as we made our way to Hot Sulphur Springs. You discovered how this charming town has been welcoming travelers since the 1800s with its natural thermal pools and laid-back mountain atmosphere.

You watched me stop by that scenic local campground where we could hear the river flowing and wake up to those mountain views. Then you joined me as we explored! You took that breathtaking drive with me through dramatic canyon landscapes, where towering rock formations and rushing water created some of Colorado's most photogenic scenery.

Our adventure continued at the Pioneer Museum, where you uncovered fascinating stories with me of the hardy settlers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs who carved out lives in this challenging but beautiful landscape. 

Next Is: Sky-High Drive: Rocky Mountain's Trail Ridge Road

You remember how we climbed through those ancient ponderosa pines and Douglas firs, right? Those giants that have been standing sentinel for centuries under that impossibly blue Colorado sky that made your eyes water just looking at it.

And then Trail Ridge Road kept pushing us higher into what felt like we'd driven onto another planet entirely. Those gnarled, twisted trees we saw—the krummholz, that German word meaning "crooked wood"—all bent and shaped by winds that could literally blow you over. By the time we hit 11,000 feet, remember how the whole landscape just opened up? Those endless alpine meadows spreading out like someone had unrolled green carpets between all the peaks.

The Continental Divide crossing at 12,183 feet—that was wild, wasn't it? Standing right there on the backbone of North America, knowing every raindrop on one side heads to the Atlantic while the other side flows toward the Pacific.

But here's what really got me: as we came down that western slope and saw those tiny streams trickling between the rocks. That was it. That was the Colorado River being born. Not the massive, canyon-carving monster we all know, just these humble little mountain streams that somehow become the lifeline for the entire American Southwest.

Standing there at the headwaters, watching the beginning of that 1,450-mile journey to the Gulf of California—this gentle water that will eventually carve out the Grand Canyon and keep 40 million people alive. But right there in that moment, it was just crystal-clear mountain water wandering through the greenest grass you've ever seen.

And those beavers! The real architects of the whole valley, building their dams and turning everything into nature's perfect sponge system.

Then: Scottsbluff Monument Summit Drive & HUGE Car Show!

That Nebraska road trip along Highway 71 completely exceeded everyone's expectations!

The journey through those hidden gems in the Cornhusker State left us all speechless. Starting at Wildcat Hills Recreation Area, those 100+ acres delivered the outdoor paradise we'd hoped for—the trails and views made us completely forget we were in Nebraska!

Gering's Classic Car Parade brought that perfect small-town America vibe with all those vintage rides cruising down Main Street, and we caught every bit of that chrome and horsepower magic.

The Legacy of the Plains Museum took us deep into Nebraska's pioneer history, sharing those incredible settler stories that shaped the American West. Reaching the summit at Scottsbluff National Monument and hiking those legendary trails where Oregon and California Trail pioneers once stood gave us the same epic views they experienced—the scenery was absolutely insane!

Walking through the Historic Visitor Center with all those authentic photos and artifacts from the brave souls who crossed these plains in covered wagons really brought the American Dream to life.

And that massive RV park car show—holy moly! Over 300 classic cars, hot rods, and vintage beauties all in one place made for a car show that was absolutely nuts.

Lastly: Mount Rushmore Hike—Presidential Trail Adventure!

That epic day exploring the heart of the Black Hills delivered everything we hoped for and more!

Rolling through the historic town of Keystone, South Dakota, and making our way up to the legendary Mount Rushmore National Memorial was absolutely unforgettable. We completed the entire Presidential Trail system hike and got those incredible up-close views of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln that left us all amazed. The stunning Black Hills scenery and wildlife we encountered along the way made every step worth it. Those epic photo opportunities from every angle had us snapping pictures non-stop, and discovering the hidden walkways through those massive rock formations was like finding secret passages.

The scenic overlooks completely blew our minds—every viewpoint offered something spectacular. From hitting those winding roads leading to the monument to getting up close with those incredible granite rock formations, this adventure delivered non-stop wow moments throughout. Those presidential-sized views, forest trails that made us feel tiny, and that jaw-dropping moment when we realized we were standing beneath faces carved into a mountain—it was everything we could have imagined and so much more!

Thanks, all.

~~~Russ

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