Descension

We have descended.  From high country to low.  From warm to hot.  From dry to humid.  From bug-free to, 'Hurry up and shut the door!  The flies are pouring in!'  From enjoying the weather outside to enjoying the A/C inside.

Taken from south end of dam looking north.

The 'bathtub ring' marks on the rocks and the dam itself indicate the water was once much higher.

We're at John Martin Reservoir State Park in southeastern CO, our hole-up place for the 4th of July weekend.  Campgrounds fill up on holiday weekends, so we made reservations well in advance, will stay 3 nights before continuing on, next stop Nebraska.  You may ask, 'Who was John Martin?'

I may answer, 'I haven't a clue.'  

Downriver side of dam, taken from south end, looking north.

Our campground is in upper left.

This place is nothing special but it's okay.  Plenty of space between us and nearest neighbors, pretty quiet.  John Martin Dam is on the Arkansas River, was finished in 1948.
 

Downriver side of dam, about 1/4 mile south of where we're camped.

John Martin was a US congressman from this part of CO.  He was instrumental is getting the dam built.