So JUST WHERE is she now?: September 2020

Just like every person on the planet, I've hunkered down, limiting any personal interaction. Hugs aren't for everyone, but they are for me. So, these weeks and months without touch leaves a void. I've taken to spots in nature to refill my tank. I've wanted a kayak for a while and one that I could manage on my own. I stumbled across a video of a foldable kayak and to my surprise, found it a fair price. I ordered the Tucktec in the first quarter of the year. We all know what happened then. Covid-19 had a big impact on production and my prize finally arrived the first week in July. I've been able to get to a local lake about a half a dozen times and really enjoy the tranquility of the lakes.

I packed up my Jeep with camping equipment and the kayak and decided to see what this old girl is made of. I had intention of camping in Leadville, CO before visiting friends in the Denver area as well as Rocky Mountain National Park. Mother Nature has really spun some challenges this year and my trip would be altered due to an early SNOW storm in Colorado. After a delay of five days, I drove the first day into Santa Fe, NM and stayed at the Santa Fe International Hostel, a location I stayed at two years ago for the balloon festival. This location is not for everyone, but I find it perfect. I checked in outside, learned the protocol and was given a key to a private room. A local Whole Foods delivers food to the hostel and there is always a snack at the coffee/tea bar. In the morning, Preston, the proprietor dropped off a pint container of fresh fruit and yogurt to my door.

The hostel has a two night minimum so I took the next day to explore nearby

Jemez Springs. I could see from a distance that something special was calling.

What a fabulous road trip I had found! I have to say one of the best I have ever taken. Jemez Springs, dating back to the 1860's boasts of natural hot springs, but because of COVID-19, only New Mexico residents could partake.

It was somewhat of a deja vu moment to wander the main street of this sweet place. The church in the picture is still operational. The little park held a statue with a unique timepiece. In front of the marker are two rows of 12 bricks representing each month of the year. If one stands on their birth month, their shadow will point to the time of day represented by bricks laid in an arc to the left and right of the marker. I had never seen any timepiece like it.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the Jemez Historic Site (located just north of the village of Jemez) was closed to the public.

Jemez River, where the hot springs come from 1500 feet under.

The next morning, I was off in the direction of Denver. I stopped along the way to take in the mysterious Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve of Colorado. Just like any other national park, folks seem to be loving the NPS to death! So crowded with folks sight seeing, enjoying picnics and even surfing the sand! These dunes were created by the very mountains they sit in front of. They are reportedly the tallest dunes in North America with one over 750 tall. Camping is close by as well as Zapata Falls, which I passed by in order to keep a timeline.

Historic marker near the entrance....I made a point to stop as we did when I was a kid.

Yes, those are the dunes in beige, behind the cars.

I found the recent snow helpful to see what this mountain might have looked like originally.

After a brief view of the dunes, I was off to a Denver suburb to stay three nights with Jenni, a Peace Corps friend. We laughed, cried and had reminiscent moments recalling lives of our parents. We met up with four other Returned Peace Corps members from our group at So Radish, an Arvada restaurant.

That's Jeremy, me, Jenni, Beth, Kelly and Kaylee with Ninah.

And we got a bit goofy with some of Jenni's childhood "friends".

Next stop would be Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort in Estes Park. I will see what I made of here as I would NOT be staying in a lodge or an RV. Here is my dwelling for three nights.

Here I would meet up with my East Coast friend, Vicky who is working her first NPS gig and really enjoying it. Since there are NO Ranger talks, I counted on her to share what she has learned over the summer about Rocky Mountain National Park. I do not recall being in this park, however, since I lived in Denver as a child I imagine I have seen some of it. I can almost hear my father saying, "Don't you remember the picnic we had when you were 3 at...."

At any rate, Vicky had the next two days off and had given great thought to what we should/could do. The first day we would take the infamous Trail Ridge Road from the East to the West, stopping to do a short (arduous at 12,000 feet with 35% less oxygen) hike on the Tundra Communities Trail and stopping at the Mushroom Rocks.

This is one of the magnificent views from the store!

The logs on top of the roof are there to keep the materials in place during 100 mph winds in winter!

The Alpine Visitor Center is adjacent to the store.

Vicky presenting the store.....

After enjoying a picnic lunch, we forged ahead to Grand Lake, just outside the park west entrance. The area is beautiful with fall showing more on the west than the east. I now had the opportunity to put my kayak in water! I certainly enjoyed seeing the park from the middle of the lake as well as the many lovely lake homes with two boat garages!

I spent a little longer on the lake as I had planned since I got myself a bit lost! Good lesson to turn back (just like in hiking) to get a view of where I enter water! I can tell you I slept well that night!!

The next day would be kinder and gentler to this ole' sole! We stayed at lower elevations ranging from 7000 - 8000 feet and took in Bear Lake, Nymph Lake and Sprague Lake. Good, short hikes and outstanding views. However, the moose who reportedly favor Sprague Lake were no where to be seen. Could it be that rutting season for elk has them hiding, we wondered?

Bear Lake showing fall colors.

Nymph Lake with lily pads.

Mr. Trout protecting Mrs. Trout relentlessly at Sprague Lake...can you see them?

Sprague Lake with fire haze in the air.

We finished our visit by walking the downtown area of Estes Park a bit and then finding a restaurant with outside seating to watch the Big Thompson River calmingly flow by us. It was a wonderful two day visit and another NP memory.

While in Estes Park, I had to seek out the infamous Stanley Hotel, used in The Shining.

The next morning I would arise just short of sunrise, pack up and head out. I had endured the coldest night pretty well and felt refreshed.

I took the route to Loveland through a lovely canyon, following The Big Thompson River.

As I began my drive southwest, I stopped in Golden, CO to visit the alma mater of my Dad's and maybe the school of choice for a grandson who says now (age 9) that he wants to be a miner!

I spent the night in Saguache, CO in a 1950's style motor inn to keep with the nostalgic trend to my trip.

Getting an early start once again, I stopped in Chimney Rock National Monument to explore. I found the trail to the top a bit challenging with lots of loose rock especially in the "pinch point" close to the end. At the top was Mary, a volunteer who explained the kiva and mystery of the people who build it. Evidently, they were only in the area 50 years after completing the kiva.

As I left Chimney Rock, I drove through Pagosa Springs, CO.

Here are some pictures from a scenic overlook along the way.

Made it as far as Farmington, NM and saw a sign for Aztec Ruins National Monument. I decided to stop and was so pleased I did. What an extensive site and so well preserved.