Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Day 2 on the road...


Being on the road is always a theraputic experience. No matter how many times I do it, I love it and could do it for days on end. This trip is actually turning out to be a lot like the road trips I used to take in college…Gus and all…although we used to drive for 14 hours straight at 80 miles an hour from Eugene Or. to LA…this version is much more laid back and relaxing as we cruise with the trailer at an average of around 65 or so with no feeling of having to be somewhere, but the same meditative state is there and more importantly, the feeling of adventure is bigger than ever.
We rolled out of St. George Utah around 8 am and fueled up with some Starbucks and muffins. I decided to stick to the interstates, which I usually don’t like to do, but with the trailer and the possible weather in the mountains, it seems safer..I have to say though, that this drive on the 15 and the 70 is spectacular and does not have the feel of “interstate” We are constantly surrounded by scenery that is breathtaking. Mountains lightly dusted with snow and terrain that goes from red rock, to rolling fields of sage brush and into the Canyon Lands of Utah, which if you have never seen it is a must. Wide open expanses of red rock valleys in typical western movie formations…how anyone ever came through here in a covered wagon I will never figure that out. JUMP ROPING IN THE WILD
Gus and I eventually pulled over and took some time to hang out in the middle of all of it…as Gus ran around over to the foot of different rock formations (he is like a little kid which is why it is always so fun to have him around) I got my new tri pod out and the camera and took a ton of pics…it was one of those moments when I felt small in life and was reminded that this life is short and how important it is to live completely. I don’t know why the element of grand nature always has that effect on me, but I think that is partly why I am moving to Boulder…it is a feeling of acknowledgement all around you, and that there are things more important than traffic and the latest fashion style.
We jumped rope with our shirts off and peed on the road….

The day was amazingly perfect again with sun and warm weather and we rolled through Utah quicker than I thought we would…passing Colorado state line around 3:30 mountain time. it was at that moment that I realized I had really done it..this is my state now…where I live, where I want to be….from here on out, I get to tell people I live in Boulder and it is simply another place to be in Colorado, not a far away destination.
Needless to say, with only 268 miles to go after another 370 miles of driving today, we decided to relax and stop for the night in Palisades Colorado…not a charming town, but the local Applebees was jamming! Tomorrow we will most likely make it into Boulder in mid afternoon…we will be crossing the Rockies!!!..Oh, the highlight of my day yesterday…I had to re-pack the bearings in the trailer wheels…ok, not quite as complicated as it sounds, but for me, using a grease gun and squirting it into each wheel hub in the middle of Utah felt pretty manly…You know, us City Boys…

4 comments:

Swirly said...

I am glad you made it safe and sound and got to enjoy your journey there. We miss you!!

Ms. Conley said...

Sounds like you boys had a blast! Tell Gus that I took a look at his art and think his paintings are amazing. I really like the red roses on the grid..it has a name, but I forget now.

melissa said...

I'm so jealous...well not about the peeing on the road part...but the beautiful surroundings. So glad you are having a good trip to your new home!

Amanda said...

i saw this link from swirly's page and wanted to see how your journey is going...
so much fun.
road peeing and jumping. wahoo.