A Journey with SF Silver

Join SF Silver as she travels the United States in her silver years...

Prelude to Travel

SF Silver was born in Colorado, lived half of her childhood and 20's in Arkansas, and traveled with family throughout the interior on vacations. When her family first moved to Arkansas for 1 year, it was to dwell in a teepee. They went back to Colorado then returned to Arkansas when she was 11. She moved home to Colorado at 27 and remained.

Summer of 2016, SF Silver and husband decided to escape the political/social turmoil of a declining economy and set out to camp. They retreated to the Rocky Mountains above the western slope of Colorado for 4 months. A tent set up on a trailer, another trailer for horses and supplies, they didn't realize that this extended vacation was merely training for a longer trip later in life.

They began in the desert, losing weight by the day. Once the city fat was shed, they moved up into the mountains near lakes and streams. Trout was a regular dish for dinner. SF Silver relearned how to do laundry by hand using a wash bin and wash board. Cooking over a fire also proved important as baking bread, a basic function, can be tricky in the outdoors. Her children joined her often for the adventure but didn't have much enthusiasm for the camping.

Her third novel, "Devils & Black Sheep" was born during the trip. A strange dream and she wrote the first draft in 30 days. The inspiration was infectious as her pyrate crew visited often and exploration of the area produced much of the backdrop for the novel.

She and her husband returned to the city in October, both lean, tan, and ready to face whatever life might choose to throw at them.

A New Chapter

Another economic turmoil from the leavings of Covid gave rise to an idea. SF Silver and husband decided to sell their cottage in the Rocky Mountains and travel in an RV. They chose a sturdy trailer and purchased a new truck. 3 yard sales later, they packed the trailer and left home in October 2025.

The first journey only took them 2 hours from home to the area of Grand Junction Colorado. They stayed at Harvest Hosts and State Parks as they waited for the state to allow purchase of their trailer tags. The weather was gloomy and overcast. The heater in the new trailer stopped working during a cold snap. Once repaired, they moved to a lake for Halloween week. The weather gave a surprise turn for Colorado and warmed the first week of November as they stayed at a different lake. They shared memorable fishing trips with family before leaving their home state behind.

The first long trip to Utah left a distinct mark. a mushroom vent from atop their new home flew off while going down the road. They covered it with a plastic bag as a temporary repair. They spent one night in Moab Utah before turning southward in an effort to outrun the cold winter snapping at their heels.

The road southward through New Mexico was hellish. Travel through the Navajo nation proved long and tedious. The roads were in the worst shape with rills, bumps, holes, and cracks slowing them down to 45 mph often. Eventually, they arrived in Gallup, NM to spend one night along the infamous Route 66. The next day, they took the terrible freeway that ran parallel to Route 66 to Albuquerque for the new mushroom vent. They continued on to their first real location, Santa Rosa NM.

You and Me and a Dog Called MOOSE

The lake at Santa Rosa only produced a single Perch for the husband fisherman. The desert was beautiful in the early mornings and rising with the sun rather than an alarm was a joy. The dog, a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees, was great at travelling. His large size and tuxedo coloring made others like him immediately, although he growled and snapped like a wolf at anyone who dare speak to his parents or come near their new home or truck. He was a 3 yr. old protector.

SF Sylver went for walks while husband fished. It was their 3rd day when she and Moose went for a walk. He leapt forward at a squirrel and drug her down to the rocky ground. It tore her knee to the bone and cut open her palm. Needless to say, she was in extreme pain as she limped back to the camper. Moose felt bad, and his walks were limited the remainder of their stay at Santa Rosa.

Mid-November was a move to Lake Sumner near Ft. Sumner, NM. They visited the museum and gravesite of Billy the Kid. The grave marker was locked in iron and concrete having been stolen twice before. History gave way to fantasy as they traveled next to Roswell. The only aliens seen were the statues at every business in the town. The Bottomless Lakes they camped at proved geologically interesting. One lake went all the way to Carlsbad Caverns. An object dropped in may be found months later at the caves. The lakes were smelly, but Pelicans and Egrets were numerous in residence on the water.

They traveled next to Lake Brantley near Carlsbad New Mexico. The area was still very much a desert. Husband got to see caves for the first time and they went through Carlsbad caverns. The caves were large and beautiful.

Winter in Texas

Traveled into Texas only to stay in Colorado City. The lake was nice, but large power lines ran through the park, distracting everyone from the rugged beauty. Lots of fish. Husband caught 30 on day one. Rabbits and Cardinals kept Silver and Moose company. Pushed on to San Angelo Lake just before Christmas. Saw Bison, Deer, Longhorns, and Boar. No fish. Went shopping and found everything was always 15 minutes away.

Christmas Eve was Inks Lake at Burnet Texas. It was the best spot yet. Beautiful trees, grass, squirrels, ducks, and geese. EVERYONE in Texas likes to camp for Christmas and the park was packed. The Colorado river flows through lake Brentley. Husband caught 30 perch, 8 drums, and 3 turtles. It was a nice Christmas.

New Year's Eve was Lake Livingston. Huge lake. Lots of fireworks. The woods were dense and alligators were supposedly lake dwellers. None were spotted. Made contact with an old Pyrate acquaintance from Colorado that had moved to Texas a few years prior. Honor cafe for the veterans was lovely. Went to Buccees for the first time. Good BBQ.

Stayed near Lake Conroe for a month. Crappy RV park. No availability near the lake. Damp and rainy but not too cold. Enjoyed visits with Pyrate friend. Moose smashed Silver's hand terribly by running after a cat. Replaced RV mattress with bed mattress to get better sleep. Went to Houston to watch the Bronco's win a playoff game.

Moved to Martin Dies Jr. state park the day before Valentines. Swampy area but Silver and Moose went on long nature walks. Husband caught Large Catfish. Silver got a double ear infection from the yellow pollen. Saw the first snake of the season. Was warm, but then cooled back down. Redbuds and Dogwoods in bloom.

Headed North at the end of February. Martin Creek Lake was next. Sites were small and an Electric plant across from the park is LOUD. Husband got sick from high pollen. Went fishing together for the first time in a long time. Husband lost his hat to the wind. Silver hooked the dock then a tree while trying to snag the floating hat. No fish that day. Met "bob" the friendly feline. There were lots of cats staying at the park. Wish people would leave kitties at home and stop being stupid by taking them camping. Left a day early to avoid incoming thunderstorms.

Stayed one night at a Love's near the park. Atlanta lake moving day had biblical rain. Cool days and cooler nights. Flowers and butterflies in abundance. Visited Liberty Cemetery. Stayed through St. Paddy's Day.

Spring in Arkansas

Late March was spent at Daisy Lake near Flippin Arkansas (Yes, they are real places). Went fishing on the Little Missouri River and Lake Greeson. Largemouth Bass were the catch of the stay. Nice lake. Moved on to Lake Dardanelle near Russellville for the end of March. Large lake with a nuclear plant nearby. Didn't keep the catch. Husband celebrated his birthday with a pontoon rental. Nice park but crowded due to spring break.

Devils Fork on Greers Ferry Lake was an old favorite of Silver's. Stayed 2 weeks. No water on campsite, but the lake views were intense and breathtaking every evening. Black and blue butterflies were camera shy, but Silver got a shot on the last day. Had a visitor a few days before... Yellow Throated Warbler. What a cutie. Lots of Blue Jays, but fishing was sour.

Mid-April, moved to Mtn. View (Silver's old stomping grounds). Town had changed a lot in 27 years. Stayed at a nice RV park during the Folk Festival. Visited the Ozark Folk Center and put husband through his paces with walking/shopping. Moved down to Sylamore Creek (just off of White River) after Silver's birthday.