June 18th

Wake the kids up saying if you want a shower you better do it before the water gets turned off.

While the kids are getting washed up I start looking for the next camp. We decide on a KOA in the mountains. We call and make a reservation.

I get a call from my Aunt's roommate Kat. She says Karol will be back at 3. We ask if we can drop the trailer to explore Denver. She says sure so we head over and drop it off just as Kat gets back from running errands.

We head off to eat and try to get a tour of the Denver Mint. For those of you who don't know. I had my first experience driving in Denver 2 years ago. This time it did not change my opinion. I hate Denver. Not only is the most prevalent tree the one I am most alergic to but they designed the roads to frustrate you enough to use the public transportation system.

I am used to one way streets but, Denver sets them up in an odd fashion. Three one way streets going the same way in a row. I had to drive 4 blocks just to turn the other direction. But Denver is not as bad as Oil City in PA. I spent 2 hours trying to get out of Oil City after stopping for a late dinner. All the roads lead to the same place. From that place I could see the freeway but the signs said "You can't get there from here."

Since the favorite currency of terrorist is US based, they decided to change the way you get the tour of the mint. I know that the terrorists are trying how to counterfeit pennies. You have to get a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance. To make them you must contact your congressman or senator. That stinks.

We have dinner with Karol and head off. Wow, those mountains are big. We climb and climb. As we are climbing I keep slapping my forehead "I could of had a V8!" The V6 the Schmidtmobile has kept saying in a thick Scottish accent "I cann't give you any more capt'n."

As we are puttsing along at 29 MPH we wonder if we will reach 2 miles high. I think so but Alisa wants a wager that will won't. I don't take her up on that but we top out about 1,000 feet higher than 2 miles above sea level.

We pull in to the KOA late and setup. I unhooked the trailer and tried to pull it forward so we can pull out the front bed and the van won't start. It is acting like it is out of gas. It it only has been 120 miles since the last fill up. If we burned 27 gallons of gas that is a problem.

We push the van out of the way and get some sleep.

Coming soon to your email box what is wrong with the Schmidtmobile this time.