Life in Denver

Hey readers,

I've been working in a restaurant as a server and saving up money. Denver is a great city, and even better is that not far outside the city is endless camping and hiking opportunities. I'm really enjoying it here. I wasn't too crazy about winter. It meant biking less; they don't salt the roads here and the plows are late to hit the streets.  However, it's spring now and as it's been getting warmer, I've been getting outside more and getting past the winter blues.

A little update on my travel plans. I've decided to leave next April, in 2016. I never intended on staying in Denver for a year and a half. However, I need the extra time to save up money. When I leave in April I intend to do so on bike. I'll head south out of Denver and down to the Grand Canyon, from there I'll head west to Los Angeles and then north up the Pacific Coast to Seattle. That's as far as I got in my plans. Maybe I'll save up in Seattle and head back east the following year? Maybe I'll continue west? The future holds endless possibilities.

Thank you readers, I'll keep you posted on my plans. In the meantime here are some pictures of Colorado.

Cheyenne Mt SP-Colorado Springs 20
Colorado Springs-Palmer Lake 25
Palmer Lake-Chatfield SP 38
Chatfield-Denver 22

I left Cheyenne MT SP and headed into Colorado Springs. Once I was downtown, I stopped at the post office to pick up some warmer clothes. Then I stopped at Old Town Bike Shop. I wanted some advice on a route to Denver. They were very helpful and helped me map out a route on the computer. I made my way down to the trail that follows the river through Colorado Springs. If I had a mountain bike, I could take this trail all the way to Denver. I took it to the northern part of town and grabbed a hotel room. The temperature was set to drop into the lower 30s that evening.

The next morning was very cold. I'm glad I got that shipment of warmer clothes. I did have to stop and buy gloves though. The sun never came out. The mountains had a dusting of snow on their peaks. Definitely the coldest weather I've faced in awhile. Most of the day was easy, a lot of it downhill. Towards the end, however, there were some big hills to climb. I made it to Lake Palmer. The wind was pretty strong at this point and I needed some shelter. I set my tent up in the park and crawled inside. Shivering I didn't want to leave the tent to cook dinner, so I went without.

The next morning took me awhile to get moving. I stayed huddled in my tent for warmth. However, it was the weekend and the park was busy with people. I needed to get out of there. I took the 105 north, passed many cyclists and motorcyclists. Fortunately there were very few uphill climbs and easy ones where they existed. Cars were very friendly as well, they must be used to the weekend bike traffic. I stopped for a rest in Sedalia; shared my lunch with Brown, charged my phone, then headed out.

From here the road only goes a little further before you're forced to get on Highway 85. The first mile there was no shoulder; However, it then opens up to become a two lane shoulder. I was on 85 for about seven miles before turning onto a hilly rode that would take me to Chatfield SP. When I arrived I found out the campground was completely full. After staring at the park map for awhile, I scoped out some picnic pavilions that were further out. Unlikely to be occupied for the evening. I rode out towards them. Found one away from the road and trail and set up shop.

I woke up the next morning to the sight of hot air balloons rising with the sun in the sky. I got packed up and rode my bike towards them, then over the reservoir dam. Then down the dam. At the base is a huge dog park. Obviously, we stopped. Probably spent two to three hours there. Brown ignoring me, not leaving the water, swimming after other dogs balls and not giving them back. When finally I was able to trick him to come near me (something he avoids doing at dog parks because he refuses to leave) I was able to grab him. He fell asleep in the trailer as we hopped on the Platte River Trail. We headed north and passed through the greater Denver metropolitan area. When we reached Denver proper, we passed the broncos stadium. Game day vs. The Kansas City Chiefs. Denver broncos have a lot of support from the people of this city. Many use the trail I was on to get to the stadium. I saw an REI and Starbucks on the trail and decided to stop for a bit charge my phone, people watch and appreciate having reached Denver.

A week later I moved into an apartment. A month later I got a job. Made some friends and I'm enjoying my time in Denver.  Going to do my best to save up enough money to leave next summer.

Every one I met, every one that has supported me, offered me food, shelter, company, conversation. To my mom for sending out my packages weekly for me. Thank you, my success this past year I owe to all of you.

I can see the mountains in the distance from my bedroom window. I fear and look forward to tackling them next year.

I don't think I will blog for a bit. Maybe to keep you posted on my planning, training progress.

Thank you readers. Thank you everyone so very much.

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday

Monday morning I woke up. After coffee and breakfast I said goodbye before heading out the door. I followed the road up the hill. I made the mistake of turning onto the first trail I saw. Either way it was taking me west through the woods so I followed it for awhile. I reached Hutchins Creek and followed it south until I found the river to river trail. The river to river trail then went back north. I could have stayed on the trail I was on and ended in the same spot. Slight waste of time.

Either way I reached the trail head and the last forest trail for some time. I'll be on roads until St Louis and a bike trail through much of Missouri. Anyway we trekked down a couple of gravel roads to Route 3. I followed that road into the town of Grand Tower. I stopped at the gas station for a root beer and then headed to the campground.

Devil's Backbone is a campground right on the Mississippi River. Despite storm and river flooding warnings, I set up close to the river. Every ten minutes a barge goes by. The wind was rather strong but the rain didn't come until after I fell asleep. No flooding though.

Tuesday morning we woke up and Brown's pad had a crack in it and he was limping. I knew we would have to take the day off. It was frustrating because this was only our second day back on the trail.

I sat around most of the day; reading, tanning, eating, and watching the barges go by.

Wednesday morning Brown was walking better. I put his shoes on and he was clumsy for a minute. Once he got the hang of it he was doing fine. We left Grand Tower and headed out on Rte 3 towards Chester.

We take a thirty minute break every three miles. It's a little difficult to find shade along this road. Often I find myself in somebody's yard borrowing shade from a tree. I passed a small bait/convenience store. I got a root beer and an ice cream sandwich. Brown jumped in the pond out back to cool off.

I sat out front and the guy who worked inside (possibly the owner) came out. He sat and talked to me for awhile. He spoke a lot. Barely a moment of silence between thoughts. My favorite story he told was when he was in Vietnam. I've met a few Vets on my walk; their stories are always very intriguing. After an hour we continued walking.

I made it to Crain Baptist Church. Once there, I took Brown's shoes off and his pads were wet. His pad that had cracked was soft and shedding the cracked portion. There was an additional deep chunk that had come off from being wet and soft. I cannot make a decent pace stopping every other day for healing. I also feel awful for putting my dog through such pain.

I decided that the best way forward is on bicycle. I returned to Alto Pass to stay with the friends that I had made there. They have a family member who does long distance touring rides. I was able to get a wealth of information from him. I'm currently in the process of purchasing a touring bicycle and dog trailer. I wish I could continue on foot. My fear is that I will see less and have fewer interactions on bike. However, it's a necessary evil to continue forward without putting additional strain on Brown. Maybe I'm wrong though, maybe I'll be able to see more by being able to deviate further from the trail.

I haven't owned a bike since I was a child. This will change the dynamic of my journey but I'm going to roll with it. It's important to be flexible in life and accept and adapt to the circumstances that confront you.


Since returning to Alto Pass, I've ordered a bike and trailer; attended the 35th annual Tomato Fertility Party; went blackberry picking;  went canoeing/kayaking, bike riding and enjoyed the hospitality of the locals. I hate not moving every day but if this is part of the journey, so be it. I keep myself busy by cleaning the house. One day I rode the bike to a local farmers market. I spotted golden cherry tomatoes, $1.50/pint. These would be $3 or  $4 back in DC. So I bought three pints and was popping them in my mouth on the bike ride home.

Today I rode my bike to Bald Knob. Atop sits a giant cross. Peddling up the ridge reminds me that this bike dynamic will be challenging, I look forward to it though. Until I roll out of town, I'll continue to enjoy the amazing summer produce, especially the local peaches.

It's a bizarre sense of comfort and anxiousness to be stationary. It's nice waking up on a soft bed to coffee and a hot breakfast each morning. However, everyday I feel like I should be walking, exploring.

Thank you readers.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us."