Notes From The Road- Colorado Bound

My next trip starts on Monday, September 8.  I will be spending some time in Colorado.  My father grew up there albeit in one of the most desolate spots in the state, La Junta.  La junta means the meeting or meeting place in spanish and, sure enough, that's where several railroads meet (or met- passenger trains ain't what they used to be).  My father used to speak about the wind and the snowdrifts and the unbearable summer heat.  He also talked about his father being an excellent outdoorsman.  I never met my grandfather.  He died in 1948 at age 48 due to acute alcoholism.  I wish we'd known each other.  I have sensed in my lifetime that some of my genetic predilections are directly linked to him and his appetites.  

The stories that my Dad told me about the outdoors often revolved around the southwestern part of the state in the San Juan mountains. Places like Creede and Pagosa Springs were mentioned.  This is an area I'd promised myself that I  would spend time in before I died.  I plan on fishing, camping, hiking and exploring.  

The mountains are at their peak in September in the West.  The crowds and kids are gone.  September is my favorite month of the year anyway.  Even when I was working in the schools I loved it.  The parents and kids were well behaved and everyone still had hope for a successful school year.  While this made school and my job better than say, in March, I still always longed to be outside.  I remember, even as a child, thinking that I was missing some important things going on in the outdoors in September.  Now, at long last, I get to spend some time in the Rockies in September.  

Do you know the song from "The Fantasticks"? 

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

I am going to "follow".  



Here's the tentative itinerary:

 September 8 Monday - Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, UT 

September 9 Tuesday- Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, CO  

September 10 Wednesday - Same

September 11 Thursday- Silver Jack CG - (Southeast of Montrose)

September 12 Friday - Same

September 13  Saturday Bridge Campground (Northwest of Pagosa Springs).  

September 14 Sunday Bassam Guard Station (Northwest of Salida)

September 15 Monday -Same

September 16 Tuesday Holbrook, AZ

September 17 Wednesday Home

My trips are generally set up as "tentative".  If I find a place I like, and it doesn't require reservations, I'll stay and stay.  I have found, however, that being literally "on the road" is what I enjoy most.  It's the discovery that I like.  Of course, many of the best places are found in exactly that way.

I'm cutting this trip a bit short as I am required home to prepare for a baby shower of epic proportions.  This should be a good "taster" of the area.  I've always loved Durango and I'll be sure and spend some time there (if nothing else than to pick up a fishing license and grab a bite to eat).

The drive home requires one motel night in Holbrook. AZ which is a fine western town.  When I get home I'll have a bit of time to prepare for my October Utah Red Rocks trip that promises to be spectacular.  After that I'll be laying low waiting for my first grandchildren to be born. The twins are coming in November which means December and January will be perfect for celebrating their birth in Organ Pipe, Cabeza Prieta and other desert wonders in southern Arizona.

One last note, I've been communicating on Twitter with the excellent film director and cinematographer Eric Temple. He claims we are "brothers from another mother" and I agree.  His films are all great and I own "Edward Abbey: A Voice in the Wilderness" which is truly excellent.  If you can find it- buy it.  If you can't buy it then see it any way possible.  It's fantastic and features some other great Southwest artists and authors including the great Charles Bowden who just passed away.  Charles' death is a huge loss for us desert and justice lovers.  Eric did mention to me that for his next film subject he's considering either Maynard Dixon (my favorite Southwest artist) or my inspiration Everett Ruess.  See?  He is, indeed, a "brother from another mother"!

I'll keep you posted from the road.

Peace.