Rocky Mountain High

I got my first glimpse of them about a half hour east of Denver. I could just make out the shape of them. As I drove west they came into sharper focus like a very slowly developing photograph. I was getting my first look at the Rocky Mountains.

When I contemplated this trip to Vegas I was most excited about getting a chance to drive through the Rockies. I'd never been in Colorado before (state number 31) and have spent almost my whole life in the east and Midwest. The Appalachians are about the only mountains I've spent much time in, and they of course are dwarfed by the size and majesty of the Rockies.

I started my day with a drive through western Kansas, which as flat and uninteresting as advertised. I was amused to note that there were a few adult bookstores along the way, with big signs advertising they were for both "men and women." Next to one a religious organization put up a sign with the message "Pornography destroys lives." The only other thing to note was the large white turbines of wind farms. They were very interesting, like some alien race had planted them. I suppose they are connected to underground cable or something, but it isn't obvious, and could pass for an interesting art exhibit.

Eastern Colorado is pretty much the same, appearing flat, but of course by the time one is in Denver one is a mile above sea level. I stopped in Golden to meet my sister's family for a quick visit, and then was on into the mountains. The scenery just got better and better, but the highlight was definitely Glenwood Canyon (pictured above) which includes the White River National Forest. The mountains loom over the road like giant sentinels, with some cliffs appearing to hang over the highway. Another great spot was at Eagle River, where the cliff faces were red clay.

As I drove today I tried to imagine what it was like for the first Europeans who came to the land. What did the settlers think as they approached the mountains? I suppose many just stopped in Kansas, but what about those who kept going? One group that didn't so well were the Donner Party, but some must have made it through. It would be great to be able to see as it was.

Visible from the road as I drove through Vail were several large resorts, the kind I will probably never afford to visit. There were also some large homes, perched on the mountains and probably only visited during ski season.

I am now in Rifle, Colorado. According to Wikipedia, it was named that because a trapper left his rifle behind here. You would think there would have been a much more exciting story. I guess that's better than the spot I drove by called No Name.