After Zion and Arches National Parks in Utah, we really didn’t think there was anything that could top the beauty we saw there. Boy, were we wrong! The drive from Utah to Colorado, through the Rocky Mountains, is very possibly the most beautiful stretch of land in this country and certainly the most beautiful we have ever seen. If you have never done this drive before, stop whatever it is you are doing and pack up your car…this is a drive that should not be missed in one’s lifetime.
Where orange and reds dominated our trip through Utah, Colorado is green, green, green! And it’s the kind of green that is so rich that it actually makes you thirsty for a crystal, clear spring…which, fortunately, was also a prominent sight on our drive. For almost the entire 300 miles, the Colorado river seemed like it was dancing beside our car, criss-crossing the highway and flowing with both force and calm. Can you think of a better companion on a long car trip than the rush of the Colorado River? And driving through the Rockies – it cannot be described; at least not in a way that will do it any justice. We tried our best to capture it with our cameras, but this is truly a sight you have to see with your own eyes to believe. Once again, God’s presence was all around. Continually I wondered, how can one not believe in God, or some supernatural power beyond ourselves, when this kind of beauty exists? This kind of living, breathing, stupendous beauty – certainly magnificence like this doesn’t just happen. Certainly such beauty was created – and boy does God have an eye for aesthetics! We cannot recommend this drive enough, and even better if you have the time to stop through your trip, which we did not. But we accomplished our goal, which was to make it through the Rockies before the sun set so we wouldn’t miss a thing.
What a day!! And what a world!
Denver, Tallie and Clark, and The Most Unfortunate Alarm Clock in the World
So after our six hour drive, we were ready to relax and see some smiling and familiar faces. Enter Tallie and Clark, our fabulous Colorado hosts who had only found out days before how soon we were actually arriving. Talk about some good sports! Tallie and Clark took us to a delightful restaurant with some serious food deals which made Danny very happy. Tallie and Clark also allowed us to stay at their fantastic house (at least for the next few days before the next residents move in L ) which gave us a much needed break from the Best Western establishments and their “continental” breakfast (yuch!). We had a cushy bed, a nice clean shower, and of course Tallie’s cuddles! Sleep was immanent and all was well. Until…
Now, in their defense, Tallie and Clark did warn us about the guys coming to work on the roof on the house (which apparently means they are tearing, ripping, and stripping down the old and putting up the new) and that banging would essentially be happening right over our heads, beginning as early as 7:00 am (which as we all know, for Micol might as well be 5:00 am because anything before 9:00 is pretty much unknown territory for her). Well sure enough, at around 7:00 am, the roofer alarm clock went off and while it sounded like “bang, bang, bangitty, bang,” it felt more like “EARTHQUAKE, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, TAKE COVER!!!” I, of course, did what I always do which is wake up, curse the noise, and somehow fall back asleep until about midday – A gift that seems to be simultaneously a blessing and a curse. Danny also woke up, but did manage to get back to sleep intermittently until about 9 am, when he got the hell out of the room – leaving my lifeless body there to fend for itself should the roof actually fall in. Luckily, we were safe and sound, and save for an interrupted sleep pattern and a few moments of terror, it still beat any of the Best Western stays we’ve had so far!
Danny and I then took a small day trip to Boulder where we once again oohed and aahed about the views, ate some good food, and walked around. Boulder is a lot like Austin with more outdoor types, higher altitudes, and better views. The day ended with some good eats with our favorite hosts Tallie and Clark, and some yummy gelato. Micol also got to oogle at the cutest cockapoo, who obediently showed off for Danny so he could see how great the breed was. I slipped him a bone afterwards.
Thank you Colorado, Rocky Mountains, and especially Tallie and Clark! It was fabulous!
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