Connecticut to California – Day 19 – August 29, 2000

I think today has been the saddest day of the trip.  I got on I-70 in Limon, Colorado and headed seriously east – I’m on my way home.  It’s hard to describe the mixed feelings – I know I can’t stay out on the road “Looking for America” forever – and I really do want to get home – but there is this tug – it pulls at me in such a distinct and noticeable way.  It seems that I know, inside, that there are places to go and things to see – unnamed places – people along the road to meet – wonders to behold – perhaps, in another life, I was a wanderer.  For this longing to be on the road – away – and not toward home – seems inexplicably rooted deep within me.

But perhaps, I am getting ahead of myself

When I opened the drapes in my room this morning, I beheld the most glorious site.  The rising sun was shining on the Rampart Range.  The clouds and downpour together with the sadness of last night – gave way to renewal and hope this morning.  I could see the sun reflected on the Air Force Academy Chapel – the air was cool and crisp – and if I closed my eyes – I could see 4,000 cadets – sharp and sleepy – bustling about the halls with the “smacks” nervously doing all the things “smacks” have to do before breakfast - a new generation of leaders in the making.

I am enthusiastic about the day until I turn on to the northbound ramp of I-25 and the traffic is bumper to bumper – and as I head north toward Denver – it is unbelievable.  I seriously wonder if someone cut the Long Island Expressway and pasted it right here between Colorado Springs and Denver.  Notwithstanding that I am on the road at 7:00 a.m. – I don’t get past Denver until after 10:00.

I had originally planned to go west on I-70 and then make a big loop up to Estes Park and back to I-70 before turning east.  Clearly, the experience getting to Denver called for a change in plans.

After I get west of Denver, I pull off the road – and perform surgery – on my route.  There I am along side the road – with the atlas laid out on the trailer – and I completely rework the whole rest of my route home.  The Denver experience has convinced me that I do not want to return via Chicago.  I decide to cut out the Rocky Mountain Ramble and just do the Peak-to-Peak Highway – followed by a route that will take me west of Denver – because I just can’t deal with that twice in the same day.

I find myself saying good-bye to the Rockies as I am working my way north on Routes 119 – 72 – and 7 to Estes Park.  I enjoy the ride – yet I am sad knowing that I will soon turn east and the Rockies will be in my mirrors.

In Estes Park I turn east on 34 and am treated to unexpected delight – following the Big Thompson River through the canyon.  Lazy turns with white water along the road – it’s sort of a Rocky Mountain farewell, I think.

I am rolling past Loveland and Greely – and I notice something here that I have noticed in many towns in many states.  I see new housing developments that are walled and gated communities – right next to cow pastures.  Suburbia is encroaching on the farms.  That in and of itself is not unusual, but I am conscious of the walls and the gates – making these new communities like fortresses.  I ask myself – are these folks really afraid of the cows?  Do we need to circle the wagons like this?  I imagine a cartoon – where all the residents of the community are manning the walls with rifles – and the cows are dancing around a campfire with paint all over their faces.  Perhaps the caption might read “We’ll attack right after milking.”

I turn south on 71 – which will take me back to I-70 in Limon.  I am convinced that Kansas has jumped the gun and started early.  This part of Eastern Colorado – is flat farming and ranching country.  I see signs everywhere that promote eating beef – I shout back to them that they are preaching to the choir – I love beef.  This is a quiet road – a pick up truck every 10 minutes or so – I slow down a bit – just to savor the last few minutes of this peaceful ride.

As I-70 looms ahead – it evokes all kinds of emotions – I want to go home – I don’t want to go home – but the outcome is inevitable and I make the choice to the east.

It is interstate highways all the way home now.  Probably not a lot of photo opportunities – and many stops at the Texaco Star.  But there is a lot of America between here and where I’m going – and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.  Perhaps not in the same way as I have enjoyed Yosemite or the Beartooth Highway – but nonetheless – this is America too – and so, by the way, is Denver.

The bike trip meter says448.7 the Garmin III+ trip meter says 461.1 and I say Goodnight – I’m on my way home – from Goodland, Kansas.

Connecticut Yankee in Yosemite Valley- the Trek
PAGES
Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22