Day 1
Like all infamous journeys throughout literary history, my travels began with a delay. Ok, so that statement isn’t true nor does it quite make sense but for a moment it sounded good and made me feel better about my frustrations. Our trip has started off with three delays that have landed Denny and I in Logan’s own Killians Bar. My camera hasn’t gotten use yet but if it did this is what our prep for departure looked like this. 
We finally get seated on the plane and buckle up while we ignore the visual instructional on how to do so. As we prepare for take off I have a sinking feeling in my stomach. Not necessarily because of the nervousness that air travel can bring but more of the fact that because of the delays we are faced with the dilemma of having only minutes to make our connecting flight. In fact, the delays will place us in Chicago 5 minutes after our flights departure.
I settle my mind by looking at the Boston Harbor below. My mind quickly shifts back to the unsettled as I ponder the thought of the plane taking a wild ride downward into flashbacks of the lives we have lived thus far. I assume that the couple in front of me would reinstate their love for each while their newborn child cried infant tears. (That baby would never experience tears from true emotions.) I can’t help but wonder whether or not I would grip tightly to my seat and yell out profanity filled confessions to God or poor my heart out to the last friend I would ever see.
The clear sky calms my nerves and I feel settled.
My eyelids are heavy.
2 hrs. 45 min.
We are light on our feet as we bob and weave heel to toe through a sea of on time passengers. At our gate we are relieved to see that our plane had arrived late. Perfect. 6:50 turned to 7:15 and we are golden. We settle in our seats and head to Colorado.
No comfort for sleep.
3 Cups of coffee.
We land.
Colorado welcomes us and so does Clark. He greets us with two halves of a tasty burger that satisfies me and calms my caffeine jitters. I relax in the back seat as we make our way from Colorado Springs airport to the floor of Clark’s apartment in Boulder. The carpet of his unfurnished apartment would be my resting place for the next week.
Day 2
The sun arose and my first glimpse of Colorado’s beauty awakes with it. The day begins in Boulder. We hit up the town with wide eyes and a hunger for what this quaint town has to offer. We:Erica, James, Clark, Denny, and I – indulge in all the classic spots like any reasonable tourist would. Pearl St., Colorado University, Boulder Falls and the creek that runs off.
We return to the house and sit on the back porch to watch the rain fall. The sky is painted deep purple ripped with pearl white tears. The spinning leaves twirl in hypnotizing fashion causing an excitement I have never felt about a storm.
I’m glad I experienced this one that engulf the Boulder sky.
Clark, Denny, and I leave the other two behind and head to, what we previously named, the Fam Jam ‘07. I return to the familiar seat in the back of the Volvo and stare out the window like a little child. I am mesmerized by the dark blue sky that presses down on the golden field. We listen to Old Crow Medicine Show. It compliments the ride perfectly. Buy this cd.
We hit the ‘Fam Jam’ and the vibe is there. The scene consists of Alison and her family of bluegrass veterans with generations of originals under their belts. Denny grabs the banjo and picks it like an old pro.
The music felt good and the food filled my belly just right. This night was good. Very good.
Day 3
The sleep was sparse again but no reason for complaints when I’m paying nothing for the accommodations and the living is easy. I grab a cup of coffee and take it outside while the others shower up to begin our day. Once again the weather is amazing.
-Clears Skies
-85 degrees
The house pit-bull and I entertain each other with a game of catch. His name is Nahlu, which is Hawaiian for wave. What a good puppy.
The car is packed and Clark, Denny, and I head for Fort Collins. I’m trying to catch up on sleep but my eyes are kept open by the sights around me. The ground is gold and green. The Rockies are painted over by the blue sky that rests in the backdrop.
I’m still awake.
We arrive in Fort Collins and are greeted by Nate and Wes. Immediately they are up for utilizing the gorgeous day. They pack up rock climbing shoes, pads, chalk, and we are off. On the ride I catch a quick glimpse of Colorado State University and the town life.
The sun is hot and the climbing strained muscles I never knew I had. The heat brought on a mutual agreement that it was time for a cold one. It wouldn’t make any sense not to utilize the cold water before we left…so we dive in.
Downtown overflowed with a laid back vibe that set the scene of living. Our mission was food and drink so the tour is brief. We begin with New Belgium to sample some of the best beers my mouth has tasted. We start to feel the altitude so we head out and grab some chairs at a nice restaurant on the corner. Outside we sip on the local craft and eat to our content. Perfect.
- The events of the rest of our visit in Fort Collins was so ridiculous that I needed a few days so that I could wrap my head around it. As I look back at it, it is still hard to craft words that describe the brilliance that was our visit in Fort Collins. I’m still not quite sure if that feat can be achieved but I’ll try bring it some justice. -
The night was a cool and crisp one. Our bellies were full but our palates still craved the taste of Fort Collins’ finest beers. We hit up a local college favorite bar and it is packed with returning students eager to start the semester off correctly. The local brews were flowing at a dollar a pop and Jager shots at a mere $2. Conversations were had and friendships were made for just the night.
The next morning I found myself on the couch with pains that a cold shower could easily fix. However, this easy remedy didn’t quite cure Denny’s ailments. Our day officially began with a pale-faced Denny standing over the sink with the intent to hydrate. As Denny’s knuckles followed suit with his face, Clark quickly realized something was wrong. A simple “are you alright?” was immediately followed by Denny letting things loose into the sink. –The sickness was out of Denny and we went out to grab some food to replenish lost nutrition.
After the meal, Denny and I hopped in the car and followed Clark back to the house we were staying at. Now unlike the night before, the day was hot and humid. The perfect combination to be mixed with AC. But it’s Broken. Automatic windows: Broken. Sunroof: Nope. The unbearable warmth and thickness of the air called for desperate measures. The only option we had left was to hold open the doors as we cruised down the streets. We carefully switched between the crowded lanes using our hands as blinkers since nothing but the engine was working.
As Clark switches lanes Denny’s takes a bad turn. His door opens wider and his head reaches downward. Projectile vomit sprays all down the street and splatters into every groove of the car door. I grab the wheel and cover my nose with shirt to avoid the smell. No such luck.
Between laughing and gagging I try to maintain the path of the car. The accelerating jerks us back and forth with each press and puke. On Denny’s command I scramble to find something to clean up the mess. I grab a newspaper and hand it to him. The weekly news quickly became litter as Denny’s grip is weakened by the return of his lunch.
We pull into a parking spot and I’m out the door before the car even stops. I gasp for the taste of fresh air and exhale the scenario to Clark. In the background the car is making a wicked grinding sound. It was the kind of noise a car makes when you try and put it in gear without pushing in the clutch. Clark rushes over and with the turn of the key all issues are fixed. Windows roll down, blinkers work, and Denny isn’t puking.
We’re almost back. At the stop of the final light before we get back, Clark notices in his mirror that Denny is wiping the cars interior with his new clean towel. We can’t help but bust out laughing as we translate the fist shacking and endless profanity that spewed from Clark’s mouth.
You should have been there.
Day 4
5 am.
4 hrs. of sleep.
Our bags are packed and Clark, Allison, Denny, and I head to Aspen for an 18 mile hike. The trip is long but the scenery shortens the feeling. I caught a glimpse of two rams on the side of the road. I’ve never seen one in nature before.
We stop in downtown Aspen for a few final essentials. We all split and do what we had to do. My mission is to find a pair of pants since I left mine at home. Smooth. Real smooth. The options are limited so my credit card swipes for $55 sweatpants.
I ignore my expenses and regroup with the others. Denny is missing. As I search for the lost one, I realize how abnormally attractive everyone is. The beauty quickly becomes humorous. I cover my face and walk through the crowd. As I do so, I demand that no one look at me because ‘I’m hideous.’
I found him.
Naturally our hike begins with us getting in a good stretch and then tossing our gear on our backs. I ignore the fact that I will be carrying 25 lbs of awkward weight for five hours. Destination: Conundrum Springs. Reward: Hot water to soothe my aching muscles.
Words can’t describe the beauty of the hike and neither can pictures. However, I’ll cut out the verbal and try with the visual.
9 Miles
We made it.
The hot springs is a mad scene filled with naked hippies and all natural hikers seeking rejuvenation. My muscles ease into the water and it feels good. Beyond the nudity is blue sky. The mountains form a V and we nestle in the crevasse.
The view is perfect.
Day 5
Our return down the mountain is swift. A storm is brewing and it follows us like a neglected traveling companion. Denny pulls ahead and we are left with three. The clouds creep up on us and we suit up for its wrath. The rain is refreshing and quick.
The end of our hike is close. And then close again. And then we are there.
We hydrate with the remains of the water we carefully rationed and then head to one more Aspen destination: The Maroon Bells.
On the way home we make a side trip to Glenwood Springs for a meal and a tasty beer. Perfect. We arrive at home and crash.
Day 6
On our sixth day we decided to utilize Erica’s family business. We grab the free passes and set out to relax in El Dorado Springs. We swim in natural spring water. I feel so babied.
Denny has become Malibu. Sweet.
Day 7
Since Denver was on our agenda, it seemed right to go on the day that Mark arrived at the airport. The tour was brief but we get a good dose of 16th Street Market.
We kill the remanding time in The Tattered Cover bookstore and then roll out to pick up the solo passenger.
Marks presence is a much needed asset to the crew.
That night we head to Red Rocks and it’s amazing. The rocks almost seem fake and the scene is unreal.
We watch the final few songs of one of the cheesiest bands ever. A U2 cover band. Fantastic. As we search for seats somewhere within the endless sea of spectators, I actually hear the slick ‘Bono’ say “this is a dream come true for us. We love you.” Pure cheese. I love it. And I love you greased up imitation Bono with your dead end career.
We are all witness to a contestant winning wedding. It’s almost humorous. Mark and I play commentary and add lib inappropriate additions to the ceremony that are much needed. We watch Wedding Crashers till we get bored. We leave.
Day 8
It’s my last day in Colorado. I say MY because Denny decided to extent his visit for another week. This leaves me on a solo exhibition back to the east. We head to Colorado Springs for my departure. We have some time so we utilize it at the Garden of the Gods.
It is amazing.
Time is getting close. We hop in the car and head to my places of departure. This week went too fast.
The goodbye is short and brief, just how I like it. I grab my pack and slowly walk toward the sliding doors. As I enter I am no longer in Colorado. My trip is over and my memory is my souvenir. It was perfect.
