Colorado... Native, Frontier, Trendy, Suburban, Urban & Prairie
I had the pleasure of driving through the Navaho Nation on my way to Durango. Navaho Nation, the largest Native American Nation in the US, (the Navaho Nation is the size of West Virginia), is filled with the iconic sites of western lore. Monument Valley has been the setting used in countless Western films. Stunning vistas, with every shade of red, rust, beige and brown, surround and amaze as I pass from Arizona, through New Mexico and into Colorado at the Four Corners.
Durango reveals the "Mountain Man" face of Colorado. Although threatened by tourists, and holding out resiliently against the encroachment of the Hollywood "Telluride" set, this town still has an air of the gold rush, wild west, mountain frontier it once was. After a day soaking in the hot springs, and catching up with Kel and Chris, I headed up and over the continental divide which I had last crossed in the Canadian Rockies in mid July.
I was fortunate to stay in Littleton with some great friends I haven't seen in Forever! Their son will be attending Columbine HS (yes, that Columbine) in the fall, providing they don't pack him off to military school! (Ahh the joys of parenthood, and that enigmatic creature, the 14 year old boy). For some reason, the suburbs outside Denver reminded me of the neighborhoods from Poltergeist. Probably just me...
I spent the day in Denver in the museum district. It was great. The city has a cultural vibe, mixed in with some western/two step and urban rap. I liked it. AND, Denver marked the return of the blazing summer heat, absent from my trip for the past few days. The temps at the Grand Canyon, and in Durango were very comfortable during the day, and cool at night. However, the temperatures soared as I headed east across the prairies and south towards Tulsa.
I spent the day in Denver in the museum district. It was great. The city has a cultural vibe, mixed in with some western/two step and urban rap. I liked it. AND, Denver marked the return of the blazing summer heat, absent from my trip for the past few days. The temps at the Grand Canyon, and in Durango were very comfortable during the day, and cool at night. However, the temperatures soared as I headed east across the prairies and south towards Tulsa.
Thank you Kel, Chris, Dennis & Holly for everything. Colorado is a great state, with something for everyone.
