Whew … what a week. Thankfully I did end up processing all the photographs from my recent trip to Colorado. But one photograph has kept me inspired throughout a challenging week sans the Canadian election. I guess it reminded me of the challenge I quite enjoyed as I hiked up the Great Sand Dunes. When I arrived, it wasn’t hot — actually there was quite the cool breeze however hiking on sand was a very different experience. There were times when I thought I’d slip and roll down the sand dune… which could be fun in some sense although I wasn’t intending on trying it out…
Great Sand Dunes of Colorado by Ehren Cheung
There were two kids up ahead who didn’t have any water whatsoever. I did end up providing some water to them but I hope they reached the peak — they were certainly determined to 
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Funny where the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado would be located. Between mountains and the plains lies one large pile of sand. What was amazing was hiking up that pile of sand.
- Ran across a couple of kids who were hiking the dunes without water. Crazy … so I donated bottles of water.
- Bumped into a couple of fellow Canadians from Alberta who decided to park their car next to mine
- Hiked up to what I thought was the peak only to find there were higher ones. Decided to turn back since I was low on water.
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Along the way to the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado, I stopped off at Alamosa. I decided to eat something other than peanut butter sandwiches and stopped off at a rather off-beat restaurant that offered the best Mexican food I’ve ever tasted. Keep in mind I’ve only been eating Mexican food from Canada and a few north-eastern states.
Look out for Mrs. Rivera’s Kitchen … ! I wasn’t sure what to order but after pondering life, the waitress kindly offered a few suggestions. Ended up with the grand spicy chicken burrito with pork green chilli. Might I add that the chilli was amazing
All that through this entrance. Unfortunately eating peanut butter sandwiches won’t be the same now.
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The result of a series of fires from 2001-2003. Amazing that so many years later, nature is still recovering.
I was speaking with Ellen Ewart a few weeks ago about how there is some sort of Chinese restaurant in nearly any city or town — seriously amusing! There seems to be this chain in the states called Hunan — it appears popular in Colorado. No I did not try it.
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WiFi malfunctioned yesterday but today the SD card isn’t working with the XO Laptop properly so I only have one photo to share.
That said, I did get to drive the US-550 Million Dollar Highway! Oddly enough, a lot of people online note how scary it is driving on it but it is actually pretty easy — just follow the speed limits, take it easy, and enjoy the view.
For some reason, the weather forecasts keep telling me that it will thunderstorm wherever I go. It makes for some interesting driving.
Interests of Today
A little but amazing museum in Montrose, CO documenting the history of the Ute American Indians. Wish it were larger and that I could stay longer in time for the festivities.
Ran around the Black Canyon of Gunnison … definitely worth seeing. I’d say more so than the Grand Canyon of Arizona. Cost me $15 but absolutely worth it.
My Name is Just a Name
More people have continued to note the spelling of my name. As I joked with one lady, yes… that’s right, my parents decided before I was born to keep people on their toes by picking a name that no one can ever simply spell out just by listening to the pronunciation
Customer Service = Mind Reading
I stopped off at a motel one night and the woman working at the front desk was very kind. She didn’t wait for me to ask about the area and just told me everything I wanted to know. I asked her if she was psychic.
Along the way to Montrose, CO — there were many notable stops, one of which was this:
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Some awesome things:
- While Iowa was very pretty, Nebraska was somewhat boring — but I-76 into Colorado is amazing. Bald rolling yellow-green hills.
- Unfortunately, I drove past the welcome center but I’m glad because I ran into Lucy’s Cafe which has a beautiful view of I-76.
- Listening to country while driving through Iowa and to Celtic music and the Omaha Symphony while through Nebraska is soulful experience. Denver has some good rock too. Will have to look up a whole lot of music when I get home — both new and classic.
- Thrilled that for the first time, my rental car was hit by a tumbleweed (i think!)
- Drove through a weird storm. I’ve only seen storm clouds like this in photos. Stunning to see them in real life! Photo doesn’t do justice.
Other thoughts:
- No matter how fast people want you to drive, you drive at a speed that’s comfortable to you and safe to everyone else.
- Travel inexpensively by consuming only water, bread and peanut butter. Add a 53 cent pecan pie for some luxury! Pay for meals that are truly unique.
- Use WiFi spots wherever possible. Some states have amazing rest areas.
- Annoyed at the fact that the Hyundai Accent that I rented guzzles gas at 75mph/120kph legal limit so I have to stay within 100-110kph.
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