THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ARE JUST AHEAD!

July 18^th:   Feeling a bit deprived of conversation I left REAL early and went to the next small town for breakfast, about 5 miles from the interstate.  The town was still asleep but I found an open diner where the old timers must gather frequently.  I parked a couple of blocks away in a closed, rundown gas station, a victim of the interstate I suppose.  I puffed up my chest (no small task these days) and walked in like I belonged there.  I ordered toast and coffee while longing for all the greasy bacon, eggs and pancakes I saw others eating.  I sat near the donut case and asked the waitress if I could sniff it.  Sometimes smelling is as satisfying as eating.  I told the waitress I really came into the diner to talk.  With that, five heads spun around in my direction like something out of the Exorcist.  I tried to get them to talk about themselves but they were more curious about me.  I shared some things so they would open up, but I couldn’t get them back on track.  People ALWAYS want to talk about themselves but in Nebraska folks seem very wary.  Anyway, I left an hour later feeling I had experienced a bit of Americana.  They wouldn’t let me take their picture.  In hindsight, if I had asked one of them to take my picture with some of them in the background, I probably would have gotten my picture. 

I just crossed the border into eastern Colorado.  I drove with no air conditioning and windows down.  The temps were high again but I did not care - there was no humidity.  Molly objects to open windows but she can take cover in her back seat apartment.  Not too scenic yet unless you like flat lands covered in sage, at least it was not corn fields.  Rest areas rose like pinnacles – you just about had to stop because they were there.  I was overwhelmed by a feeling of solitude when I spotted this single little flower growing alongside the highway.  After several hours of grey landscapes covered in grey sage I was completely awed by this bright little yellow flower, all alone like a beacon of light into the beauty we were about to experience.  There is much to say about the indomitable spirit where and when you least expect it. 

Picture taking is not what I had in mind for that flower!  Sage is a bit prickly.

                               

I am so excited we will be in the mountains soon!  I reached Greeley about noon and saw the Rockies off in the distance.  I also got stuck in a gas station.  Will and Fred, my trailer backup instructors, would be proud.  I kept my cool and backed up well enough to escape.  Nobody paid any attention.  I must have looked reasonably competent -- they just could not see the sweat on my brow.

The road from Loveland to Estes Park was very narrow as it wound through a steep canyon.  We climbed from sea level to 7000 feet in 22 miles and crept along at 35 mph with many pullovers to let others pass.  A rock slide held us up for about an hour.  Everyone got out of their cars to stretch and bend.  We eventually drifted across the street to the river bank to enjoy our new surroundings, take pictures, and my favorite pastime, talking.  I was very surprised that no one was annoyed with the delay.  Was this a result of recent devastating fires? I thought I glimpsed smoke plumes in the distance.  Perhaps our perspectives change during a disaster.

I bet Jean never told you about ripping off her side view mirror 
the day before we left.  Good old Penn State duck tape.  
At least she didn’t use the pink leopard print duck tape. 

Oh well, wake me when we are moving again.