Day 10-13 - Denver (Rockies)

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  Estes Park, Colorado, United States
Monday, August 13, 2007

Day 10 - Memphis to Stillwater (Oklahoma)
"Driving along in my automobile..."

Woke up feeling rougher than a Meerkat's arse (too much beer and blues last night). I've got 1090 miles of solid driving ahead of me for the next 2 days (with night stops of course).

The first bit of driving I passed straight through Bill Clintons home
state of Arkansas. Very flat landscape with farm land everywhere. Next was Oklahoma, again flat farm land everywhere. Saw alot of sneaky cop cars  hiding from speeding cars; either on bridges, between bushes and behind advertising signs...then nabbing the drivers.

As I left Memhis quite late in the day and had covered 480 miles I had to find a place to stay for the night. By 10pm I'd found a totally
cheap (literally) Motel ($24) on the outskirts of Stillwater. It was
pretty rough and to strengthen my suspicion of roughness, just as I
got to my room 2 flashing cop cars pulled in and hammered on the door a few from mine. The fella they were after was nicked and his room and pickup searched.

On a side note driving in the US has been so easy and relaxed. Pretty much everywhere other drivers are considerate and patient (NY being the exception). Speed limit is between 65 and 75 and there's a 10 mph leeway. Oh, and no bloody roundabouts sofar (apart from in DC). Finding petrol, food or a motel is a doddle too. Every 30 or so miles theres always a cluster of shops (McD's, KFC, Subway and TacoBells)and motels (Motel 6, Super 8 or Comfort Inn. Its abit sad that in the towns there are hardly any convenience stores or diners as Fast food chains and Wal-Mart has taken over everything.

Tomorrow another 600 miles to cover. Bed bugs begone.


Day 11 - Stillwater (Oklahoma) to Bennett (Colorado)
"2-4-6-8..never too late"

Bed bugs have been at it again..feasting on my feet. I'm getting used
to it now so not a problem. Bought a king-sized coffee (no really..it was huge) to keep me wide eyed and bushy tailed for the next 600 miles of wide open road.

As always, very smooth going on the roads. Bit pissed off I haven't
found the cruise control for the car yet. The temperature outside was a steady 108F. God bless Conair. Very uneventful drive but am just short of the 1090 mile goal. Altogether have clocked 2400 miles...just another 2000 to go til San Francisco.

Have decided to stop listening to my spanish cd's during long drives. Its almost as good as taking sleeping tablets (nearly nodded off a few times). Lessons will continue on shorter drives and when there are plentiful Red Bull supplies.

Can't wait for tomorrow. A short drive passed Denver then 2 days of hiking in the Rockies where eye-popping scenery, waterfalls and the Colorado river awaits.


Day 12 - Estes Park, Colorado (Rockies)
"those simple bear necessities..forget about your worries and your strife"

Very early rise to finish the drive to the Rockies. Scenic drive and
Denver's location is awesome..just at the base of the Rocky Mountains.
Arrived at Estes Park (the main base for hiking into the national
park) and drove around for an hour looking for cheap accomodation.
Very scarce as this is a holiday resort. Finally found a budget motel
and a room for $35. Quite rough and poky but at that price around here who cares.

Like a true Aquarian, water, specifically the rivers and waterfalls
were my mission so I drove into the Rockies ($15 entrance). Parked up and went for a beautiful 7 hour hike (bloody hard work...uphill all the way) through the forests, crossing rivers and seeing some great waterfalls (Copeland falls and Calypso cascades). As is always my habit when I'm near water I had to jump in. Big mistake..the water was Freeeeeezing with a capital Freee. After 1 minute of just my feet in there I lost all feeling in my toes so thought better of jumping in.

Saw some crazy chipmunks darting all over the place, some decent
looking squirrels (not the manky kind seen in Hyde Park) and some
colourful birds (blue with a Mohican hairdo, and a big red breasted
one with a pointy hairdo).

Halfway through the hike I saw a few signs to keep a lookout for
Bears...and Mountain Lions? (Jesus!). So Swiss army knive and a long walking stick in hand I continued. The most dangerous animal I saw all day was a scruffy looking Chipmunk with a bit of attitude.

Taking it easy tonight after the long hike. Got myself a Chinese take
away ($10) and watching TV in my Motel room (haven't seen TV for a week now..not a bad thing really). Tomorrow it's either rafting on the Colorado river or a long trek to a secluded lake...?

On a side note the people of Colorado are well friendly but I do smile when I hear them talk as it sounds suspiciously like the South Park accent (Drugs are bad...hokay!). Need to research this further.


Day 13 - Estes Park, Colorado (the Rockies)
"There's a Moose in my Hoose"

(sigh) What a beautiful place the Rockies are.
Went for a slow and long drive early morning stopping at some
spectacular points. Felt a touch of altitude sickness (headaches,
nausea..) but I'd better get used to high altitudes for Central and
South America (although there I'm sure I'll be able to use a certain
artificial stimulant to keep me going).

Reached the highest drivable point in the US (3,700 metres) and what a view. Photos don't really do it justice though. Made the mistake of not checking my petrol consumption (mountain roads really hammers the petrol) so halfway across the mountain i was on empty. Luckily for me I could almost coast all the way down to a small town on the other said called Grand Lake and fill up. Not so lucky for me was that the petrol was $1 pricier per gallon here ($3.79). Lesson learned.

Saw a bit more wildlife today: Moose, a Hawk, Beaver (nice Beaver...) and millions of chipmunks.

Today was a day of lots of smaller treks rather than a big one.
Followed the Colorado river for a few hours (right at the source of
it). I even made a feeble attempt at a swim in it but after losing
feeling in my feet thought better of it. Then walked through some
beautiful forest and came across yet more great waterfalls. Nothing
like the rumbling sounds of a waterfall for an Aquarian to meditate
and gather his thoughts.

Easy, chilled night. as I have lost all feeling in my legs. Not even
sure if I have them any more.

I'll be sad to leave here as it really is a beautiful place but there
is a long drive (roughly 400 miles) to Arches national park in Utah to do tomorrow.

This may be my last entry for at least 4 days as I'll be hitting
national parks only from now on...not sure what the internet situation will be until I hit Las Vegas.

Sadly no photos til Las Vegas. The computer I'm using here is about 50 years old and just about lets you type.

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