Colorado Long weekend (Labor Day)

Nothing like a long weekend in some place you've never been before. Co-worker and friend, Janey planned to do a lot of driving and sight-seeing. Both of us, being flatlanders from Texas and Louisiana had already made up our minds, we wanted to check out mountains.

Saturday, we loaded up in Janey's rental and struck out for the Rocky Mountain National Park. Arriving in Estes Park, we grabbed a quick but delicious lunch at Smokin' Dave's Barbeque and entered the park. For reasons I'll never know, Janey took the dirt ATV road up the mountain. There were switchbacks that truly were not designed for long wheelbased Tahoe trucks. After what seemed like forever, we arrived at the top of the park covered in dust. At 13,000 feet, we found breathing to be a major effort when walking.

Along the way, we were treated to sights of elk, turkey and an unending panorama of mountains touching the blue skies.

Fortunately, we found an asphalt road for our return trip that took a third of the time and once again we were breathing thicker air at only 5,000 feet.

On the way home, we began to talk about never been to Aspen and before the day was over, we were making plans for a run over the mountains again the next day. Crashing for a few hours, Janey met me the next morning, heading out on the interstate this time. 3 hours later, we were in Aspen. I'm not sure what we were expecting but Aspen was somewhat of a letdown. We wandered the few streets in town, spent too much money for a questionable hamburger at Bad Billy's and soon found ourselves headed back to the Boulder area.

Even though it wasn't quite what we were expecting, it was a nice and decent trip that we can count in our bucket list.

Show me the Golden Arches...

...and be quick about it!

Arriving in the Boulder, Colorado area, I am in wonder and amazement about how well hidden things are. Had it not been for my handy GPS, I may not have been able to find the Hampton Inn when I arrived late on August 30.

I'm staying 5 miles south of Boulder in Louisville and it seems like the whole area is ashamed of commercialism. I'm telling you that you have to be honestly looking for something to find it.

Each morning, I pull out of the hotel side street, hit Dillon Drive and make my way to the Boulder Turnpike. All I can see is neutral toned buildings with short trees and lots of cars zipping around like fighter jets.

Just tonight, I found a great little Mexican restaurant with the aid of the GPS but wanted something sweet to follow. Determined to find a McDonalds without the aid of electronics, I searched and searched for the Golden Arches and finally gave up and punched the food app on my Android. As it turned out, I was across the street from Micky Dee's and didn't realize I was at the same intersection I turn into each morning and never saw it. The same thing happened yesterday while trying to find a Chase Bank ATM but eventually gave up. I will have to be more proactive and find the gas stations before my car gets to empty.

I have to say, Colorado does wonders in camouflaging things. I can see limiting signs to a reasonable height but I think they've over done it. There is something beautiful about neon signs, logos and landmarks in a city.

Yeah, that's right. Show me the golden arches!