A Last-Minute Cat Camping Adventure with Maple and Friends!

This camping trip with Maple was a spur-of-the-moment adventure, planned with our friend Sydney from Meetup and coordinated over Discord. We weren’t sure it would happen, but we decided that even two people beat camping solo. So, with some encouragement, we “sent it” and made the trip. The drive wasn’t too bad—just two and a half hours from Denver through Conifer and Fairplay, skirting Buena Vista.

Finding Our Perfect Site

Although Maple and I have dispersed camped before, this was our first time scouting out a location ourselves. The road was bumpier than expected, and my car scraped the ground a few times. But my Kia pulled through on terrain my Nissan would have struggled with. Maple? Unfazed as always, she napped comfortably on my lap. Having her as my calm, quiet travel buddy made the bumps in the road a little less noticeable.

Once we arrived, we found a sprawling camping area with plenty of room between sites. It was a busy weekend, though, and many spots were taken. We initially snagged a less ideal, exposed spot, dropping some gear just in case we didn’t find anything better—a choice I felt a bit guilty about in hindsight. Fortunately, after a rugged climb that my SUV had no business attempting, we found the perfect site: no neighbors, far enough from the road to avoid traffic noise, and spacious enough for multiple tents. Just in time, too—our friend Matt was joining!

Coffee Break and Gathering Intel

With Matt about an hour behind us, we stopped at the cozy Brown Dog Coffee Company in Buena Vista—a great spot for anyone passing through. I asked if Maple could come in, and the staff was kind enough to say yes. She got her fair share of attention, which she handled like a pro, as always. Bringing her along, I’m careful not to assume she’s welcome everywhere, and often, just getting to be nearby is stimulating enough for her.

We relaxed with snacks and drinks when we learned it was Buena Vista’s Historical Week and that the Rock and Mineral Show was happening at the rodeo grounds! Our day shifted from exploring nature to enjoying the town’s events—an unexpected adventure, but still a memorable one.

Rock and Mineral Show: Stones and Stares

Excited for the Rock and Mineral Show, I was eager to see displays for friends who consider themselves “rock hounds.” Maple, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic, especially as a light drizzle began. Luckily, we took shelter under a vendor’s tarp to wait it out.

Amusingly, people seemed more captivated by Maple than the rocks! Conversations began around every corner: “What breed is she?” “How old is she?” “How did you train her?” Having a cute kitten on my shoulder made me a magnet for curious onlookers. I wasn’t alone in the cat-loving crowd, either—a few folks had their cats with them, and one woman shared stories of adventuring with her own cat. It was a heartwarming experience, and people were incredibly respectful of Maple, always asking before touching and giving her space.

Cottonwood Hot Springs and Exploring Buena Vista

After the show, we visited Cottonwood Hot Springs. Naturally, Maple wasn’t allowed in, but we found a small heated pond in the parking lot with fish swarming the hot spring runoff. I thought she’d be fascinated, but she was surprisingly indifferent. Perhaps she’s still a bit young to appreciate all her surroundings!

After our soak, we took a stroll down Buena Vista’s Main Street and grabbed dinner—why not treat ourselves? With Maple along, our stops were limited; some shops welcomed her, while others weren’t as accommodating. We kept things casual, opting for some leisurely window shopping.

We’d planned to see a movie as the day wound down, but with sunset coming late and Maple needing food and water, we called it a night. It had been a full day, and Maple was ready for some quiet time.

Rainy Night Realities

As luck would have it, it began to rain after we returned to camp, and we were grateful we’d eaten in town, sparing us from cooking in the wet. Sadly, we skipped the campfire. The rain made the night chilly, and though Maple had her blanket, I worried if she’d stay warm enough (spoiler: she did, while I stayed awake, worrying!).

A Soaked Morning and Wrapping Up

In the morning, we found everything soaked. Our firewood was damp, Matt’s tent had a leak, and more rain clouds loomed. While the mist over the mountains was beautiful, we packed up, ready to trade another wet night for the comfort of home. Good timing, too—it started pouring as we hit the road back to Denver.

Final Thoughts

This trip may not have had our usual hiking or campfire stories, but it was memorable in its own way. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that don’t go as planned. Would you have done anything differently? Have you braved bad weather while cat camping with your furry friend? Share your stories below—I’d love to hear them!