Colorado or bust.

We got there.  Alive.  No thanks to interstate traffic in Atlanta and through those mountains in Colorado.  Driving or riding at high rates of speed among others doing the same thing isn't for me.  In fact, I hate it with a passion.  But, I pushed through that craziness so as to enjoy what Colorado had to offer, which was a lot.  Colorado is filled with lovely people.  Everyone we met was nice and helpful.  And the views were more breath taking than the mountain trails I was encouraged to travail.  If you've never been, you should go.  The most helpful tips I have are to drink more water than you think you need, stock up on sunscreen, get a good sun hat, don't forget your sunglasses, take a good pair of walking sandals and a pair of boots to wear hiking.  I wore a pair of Keen sandals (without socks) nearly everywhere, even hiking, but boots would do a better job of keeping your feet clean.  I wasn't the only weirdo hiking in sandals.  Maybe they too had a knee problem causing them to balk at their newly purchased Keen hiking boots.  Wear whatever works for you.  Coloradans are a laid back bunch.  My next tip is to go with someone who doesn't run you ragged.  If you lean towards being an introvert like me, be certain to carve out some time away from your travel companion.  It may save your sanity not to mention your friendship.  If you live anywhere in the eastern U.S. (north or south) and are accustomed to its climate, you will come home with a new appreciation for humidity.  In fact, it will be your new best friend when you return home.


Hmmm ... what else helpful can I tell you?  Take lots of pictures (I didn't, but you should).  I also highly recommend visiting Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  It's a lovely walk-able town.  Doc Holliday, a native Georgian who moved out west for his health, eventually made his way to Glenwood Springs and was there supposedly long enough to die and be buried in a cemetery on the top of a steep hill which you can hike up and take a look for yourself.

We also went to Estes Park which contains Rocky Mountain National park.  Here's a few photos -- most taken by my friend.

Beware:  Apparently for some folks, a visit to Colorado inspires a move.  We encountered lots of transplants while there.  According to our Lyft driver in Denver, too many people are relocating there.   A native to Denver, she wasn't happy about that.  I assured her that while it is a wonderful place to visit, she could rest easy because I was not afflicted with a desire to move there.  It is indeed a great place to visit, but for me and Dorothy, there's no place like home.

House Rules: Any and all passersby, stalkers and the like, can post comments under "lurker comments." They will be screened for hexes, spells, foils, curses, foul smells and cooties before posting