Taking a breather from astrology for now - we returned on Friday night from a 12 day trip to northern Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.
Here are a few extracts from my journal, and my husband's photographs.
Episode One coming up:
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
"Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are"
(John Denver)
After spending time among the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado, it was easy to understand how the area had so deeply inspired John Denver, and, as we shall see later, Isabella Lucy Bird, an English woman (and fellow Yorkshirewoman.) Isabella Bird travelled this area as long ago as 1873 - on horseback!
But that is jumping ahead.
Our journey began with a less than inspiring overnight stay in Oklahoma City, 27/28 August, in order that I should keep an appointment with the dreaded Department of Homeland Security. I had been summoned for the capture of biometrics in preparation for the updating of my "greencard". After I had duly given fingerprint, photograph and signature at the appointed time, we were off - north and westward towards Kansas.
Getting lost in Kansas is a disconcerting experience. We experienced this, in spite of my husband's assertions, "Don't worry, dear, you're with an old Kansan you know!" Driving along rough dirt roads no wider than the car, tall crops on both sides, we persisted, mile after mile, for what seemed like hours. No human in sight, only bugs, decorating the front of the car and the windshield. Eventually we reached an intersecting paved road, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Onward to Dodge City, for the next overnighter.
There was much to see in Dodge City. Famous Boot Hill and its cemetery, a nightly performance by a talented bunch of locals (see photo above) depicting a wild west brawl and shoot-out. There were many inserts along the sidewalks - Hollywood-type brass star plaques in honour of well remembered actors from "Gunsmoke", the TV series, and other western favourites.
Next day, on reaching the northwestern corner of Kansas we entered Mountain Time zone, adjusted our watches, and relived the past hour all over again. Crossing the Colorado state line, travelling through Arapaho, Burlington, Wray and Otis, we decided that our next stop should be in Sterling where we arrived around 4.30pm and immediately got lost again. Sterling is a very difficult town - a railroad traverses diagonally through its centre, this apparently causes disorientation in strangers. By the time a motel was located we were so confused that we managed to book ourselves into "a superior room" complete with a hot tub, as well as the usual bath tub. How the other half live?
On the motel receptionist's recommendation we ate that evening at an oddly titled cafe "T.J. Bummer's Family Restaurant". Nice eating place, good food , with antiques decorating every corner of the room.
Wednesday morning, 30 August, dawned. Breakfast at Village Inn in Sterling, and I had my first taste of Blintzes with strawberries - delicious!.
The route now led us through Windsor , Fort Collins and Loveland to our destination, Estes Park.
To be continued.....
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