G.A.S.P.

By the time I got to Norwood, it was still early enough that I decided to go farther. I had some concern about finding a place to stay, however, since I had now determined that it was hunting season in Colorado. That’s why I had some trouble finding a motel in Ridgway. So I called ahead to the only motel in the next town (Naturita) and found it was already full. They suggested that I might want to stay in Norwood. That sounded pretty good to me, but I checked and found that all three motels in Norwood were already full as well.

I headed for Naturita anyway, with the rationale that it is at a lower elevation (and should be warmer if I have to camp) and that it is 15 miles closer to my destination the following day. When I got there, I went to the motel and asked the manager if they had any rooms available. Of course, I already knew they didn’t – the "No Vacancy" sign was a big clue. I then asked if there was a campground or RV park in town. He said there wasn’t. How about a town park, where I could pitch my tent? Yes, there was – through town and down by the river. Hoping to avoid being questioned in the middle of the night by the town constable, I asked if there was someone else of whom I should ask permission. He replied that he was the mayor, and that if anyone questioned me, just tell them it was okay with him.