c ~ o ~ l ~ o ~ r ~ a ~ d ~ o

July 7, 2010 in Uncategorized

goodNESS – I love this state!  Don’t worry mama, I’m coming back to NC.  But I seriously might have to live in CO some day. 

Here’s what climbing the Rockies was like:  hhuh hhuh hhuh  hhuh hhuuuuh.  That’s phonetic for my hard breathing.  So, the combination of asthma that’s triggered by exercise, stress, and allergies, and super high altitude (way over 2 miles above sea level) did not make it easy for little oxygen fairies to get all the way to my muscles.  I was on the struggle bus for sure.  But the scenes were absolutely breathtaking.  Oh.. unintended pun, but I’m leaving it.

Laura and I descended into Estes Park together.  We finished the climb after a rainy mess and rolled over the last peek into another world.  Seriously.  A beautiful town with snow-capped mountains surrounding it.  Rolling hills, trees, a beautiful lake.  I say the word “beautiful” a lot these days. 

I promise I’ll put pictures when I have the necessary technology.  Right now I am in the public library in Maybell, CO — town of 300 where no one is foreign-born!  The main attraction is a restaurant called Lou’s.  We are camping tonight.  Last time we camped my friend and I shared my single hammock with a tarp as rain-protection.  It worked out all right, but I think I’ll grab some space in a tent tonight, seeing as we only actually slept about 60% of the time.   Fortunately I was sweeping the next day (duty to be in the back and help with flats, etc.) into Steamboat Springs.  BUT before I talk about that magical place, let me talk about Boulder!

Not only did I get an awesome tour of Denver by Uncle John, but Aunt Pam changed her flight to walk me around the gorgeous city at night.  She even showed me where Joni Mitchell lives.  Yeah, they’re friends. 

The next day we had  a build day in Boulder.  WHAT a cool place!  It’s like an oasis for hippies, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and humming with drum circle energy at night.  I absolutely loved it, and you better believe I danced with a mountain amount of happy. 

I had the best day off ever in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Laura, Heather and I floated down the Yampa River in free tubes!  The folks at the rental place loved Bike and Build, and this dude named Michael was actually starting a canoe trip to benefit Haiti.  Awesome.  You can check it out at paddletohaiti.blogspot.com.  At one point down the river we closed our eyes and it was complete peace.  Until we almost crashed into bushes.  We laughed a lot, which was good good good.  Sorry this is rushed, but everyone else wants to use the computer.   We had spicy Vietnamese food and Sake.  Went to the Strawberry Hotsprings and I can’t even begin to describe the effect it had on my soul.  Especially the clothing optional hours after dark!  Always makes for good barrier-breaking.  LOVE!

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