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Putting my cowboy boots to use in Colorado on Day 35

October 14, 2010 by altatwood

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Colorado was never on my proverbial radar. I never felt drawn to it, never had any real interest in it, never saw it as anything other than a state to drive through. The only reason I actually planned a stop in Denver was because one of my good college friends (Jeff) lives there. And thank goodness he does or I would have missed out!

Rather than simply zooming through the state as soon as I woke up (in Trinidad, CO, in honor of my friend Vanessa who is from the country Trinidad and who now informs me that the city I stayed in is the sex change capitol of the world – interesting), I knew I needed to find something to do on my way to Denver so I didn’t arrive too early. My aunt Judy had mentioned the Garden of the Gods, and Colorado Springs was directly in my path, so that seemed like a good stop. Then I found out you can actually go horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods – yes!

I haven’t been riding in at least 10 years. My best friend from when I was young got me into horseback riding in middle school. Horses were and are Melissa’s absolute passion – I couldn’t be more thrilled that she grew up to live her dream and now is happily married with a beautiful family and her own barn in Connecticut where she boards horses and gives lessons. It’s so awesome to see someone actually follow their dream and make it happen! Anyway, it felt so good to be back on a horse – it’s one of those things you don’t realize how much you miss until you do it again. And yes, it gave me another reason to put my cowboy boots on!

I was lucky that I showed up at the Academy Riding Stables in Colorado Springs on a slow afternoon – I got a private ride with Katie as my guide. Everyone at the stables is great, very friendly and helpful. And Katie is a fabulous guide; we had a great talk as we made our way through the Garden and I learned so much about the 1,400 acre park, the legends of the rock formations and the Ute Indians. Of course, I took pictures along the way – not easy on horseback, but certainly easier than trying to do it while driving!

I was exhilerated from the ride and the beautiful scenery all around me, and excited to see Jeff. From the moment I got there, it was like we were back at Dean and not a moment had gone by. We talked about old times with our friends Alicia and Tom, our lives today and everything inbetween. He has a great family, a wife who I know I’d be friends with if I lived here and funny, friendly sons. They love Colorado for so many reasons from the atmosphere and people to the sports and music scenes (which are both big out here). He’s really making the most of life and is another who likes to make things happen like his latest venture into the ticket agency world with www.skyboxtickets.com – use it if you need to see a show or go to a game!

The day ended with hockey practice (Jeff’s son’s team, which he coaches) at Denver University, followed by steak at John Elway’s restaurant – and my first taste of Buffalo. Jeff insists it’s way healthier than steak. It is good, but can’t say it will replace prime rib as my favorite. I also can’t help but picture all the Buffalo grazing on the prairie throughout the old, wild west…

Posted in Country, Dreams, Road trip | Leave a Comment »

Turning north on Day 34

October 13, 2010 by altatwood

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While I was sad to veer off of Route 66 (it’s too soon for me to go too far west) I wasn’t disappointed with the scenery as I turned north. Luckily much of the route Aidan put me on had plenty of places for me to pull over to capture photographs along the way. Of course, I had to remind myself I wasn’t in the city anymore!

The first time I pulled over – in awe of the wide open landscape in front of me – I was very mindful that I was in Texas and that I had to watch for snakes, which I really hate. I don’t hate many things, but snakes are one of them. All was fine (a trucker even stopped to make sure I was okay – love southern gentleman), until I got back in the car. A few flies followed me back in, so I was trying to shoo them away as I put my camera away. I felt what I thought was  one landing on my elbow when I glanced down and saw it was actually a giant spider that must’ve attached itself to my clothes. I screamed like a little girl (very, very high pitched – am sure any dogs in a ten mile radius heard me) and flew out of the car, jumping up and down on the side of the road trying to get it off me without touching it. Of course it leaped back in the car! It took a few minutes but I got it out, and then got a picture of it (in the slideshow above). So I learned my lesson and will be watching for more than just snakes from now on. I was much more careful the next times I stopped. What I did seem to get every time I stopped were more flies in the car – so annoying. I spent a good amount of time trying to kill them or shoo them out the window. There are way too many bugs in Texas! No, nature girl I am not…

Crossing into the New Mexico border I was reminded that there’s more to be cautious about than insects and wildlife. The first sign after the welcome one asked people not to pick up hitchhikers as the prison is near by. Nice. Wasn’t planning on it, but that confirmed it! My other safety reminder of the day came from a very nice man I met at the New Mexico rest stop (where I got to take some pictures of the Sierra Grande, the largest extinct volcano in northeastern New Mexico).  Dayton was traveling to the mountains to go elk hunting for a bit, just him, his two horses and two mules. (Did you know some rest stops out here actually have pens for animals? Pretty cool.) He was kind enough to tell me about himself, his family (three daughters – and he dated the mother of Colby from the first Survivor), his travels and show me around his trailer, complete with manger for the animals. Dayton also reminded me that while we may appear to be traveling alone, we always have God watching over us, which always makes me feel better. But, he added, we still need to be smart and – nodding at the Watch for Snakes sign – told me not to forget that it’s more the two-legged variety that I need to really watch out for. I promised I would and we parted ways.

I actually felt like I had some company as I traveled yesterday: a train. Much of the road I took followed along the tracks and throughout the day I would pass the train, then stop somewhere and when I returned to the road it wouldn’t be long before the train would catch up with me. It was like playing tag. And I love trains so it was a good thing – and more photo ops, of course. The train reminded me once again of the movie Far and Away – remember, when Tom Cruise was working his way west? Wish I had the movie with me, but only have it on VHS and while I did bring a lot of things on the road with me, I wasn’t about to pack a VCR.

I can certainly see where the saying ‘Everything’s bigger in Texas’ comes from. It’s like everything is supersized! Bigger farms and ranches, bigger farm equipment, bigger processing plants, bigger trucks, bigger haystacks, bigger (longer) trains, bigger open fields. I even spotted what I dubbed the Eiffel Tower of Texas – it certainly looked like it, a giant red and white tower that just appeared towering over the fields.

When I crossed into New Mexico, I went into the next time zone. My phone actually changed too early – while I was still in Texas – which messed me up when I stopped at the Texline Post Office, thinking it was still open. But the very nice postal woman reopened for me. (Thank you!) I love going back in time as I travel west, but know I’m going to hate losing the hours when I head back east. I am late enough on my own!

The third and final state I entered yesterday was Colorado, right on the Santa Fe Trail. When I stopped to capture the amazing view, the cold hit me. The tank top I put on that morning in Texas was not cutting it in Colorado, elevation 6,017. I think I need to dig into my trunk and pull out some of the fall clothes for the next couple of weeks as I go further north and west. 

I spent a good amount of time yesterday and today trying to plan the rest of the trip, as I realized the time is flying and there is no way I’m going to be able to fit everything in if I keep just meandering along wherever, whenever. So I think I’ve nailed down at least through the next month – see the Road Trip Itinerary above if you’re interested…

Posted in Alone, Country, Planning, Road trip | Leave a Comment »

Getting my kicks on Route 66 in Texas – Day 33

October 12, 2010 by altatwood

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I woke up on Day 33 in Shamrock, Texas – and as one of my friends pointed out, that must be a lucky town. I think it is, because I had a really good day. Travelling Route 66 is a photographers dream (when you can find the route, of course). So I’ll pretty much let the pictures above do the talking for today, other than a few random thoughts I recorded on the road:

  • For awhile I felt like I was in the movie Cars – in fact, the first couple of pictures (night and day) are of the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn which was featured in the movie.
  • I must be a bit more careful – was playing it a bit too close with gas in the middle of nowhere Rt. 66. You have no idea how excited I was to see an actual working gas station – you’ll see pictures of many of the deserted ones I encountered along the way!
  • I learned a lot about the Dust Bowl (such a sad time) and barbed wire (yes, barbed wire) at the Devil’s Rope and Rt. 66 Museum in McLean, Texas. Neat little free stop if you are ever out that way.
  • Saw signs for the Largest Cross in the Western Hemisphere and wondered why, if it’s so large, do you need signs? Wouldn’t you just see it? And then I did. It is amazing (and right around the corner from Blessed Mary’s restaurant which boasts ‘Burgers/More’ with the more part being Truth, Faith, Hope, Love. I would’ve eaten there but it looked closed. Oh well.) Full disclosure: it may advertise itself as the largest, but I guess someone recently built a copy of it a tiny bit bigger in Illinois (I think). But it’s still very cool.
  • For awhile I felt like I was the only person traveling on Route 66. I really thought it would be busier with tourists or whatever.
  • I saw actual, real tumbleweeds (remember the play, Walpole people?) and a mini dust storm. Now this feels like Texas.
  • I don’t think my windshield is ever going to be truly clean again.
  • I love the Amarillo Travelodge! It’s cheap, clean, has free wifi, free breakfast and best of all: free use of Gold’s Gym next door! I had a great workout. Really made my night. (In addition to my emails from London, check-ins from friends, seeing the Patriots’ sign and cool photo stops on Route 66, of course!)

So I’m not really sure what drew me to Amarillo, but it was a good stop along the way. It has a very cool section of Route 66 with a bunch of antique and specialty shops and eateries. Too bad it was a Monday and deserted. If only every day could be a bustling weekend!

Posted in Country, Home, London, Road trip | 4 Comments »

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