Sometimes distance is all that matters

Today… today was… a day to drive. And think. Thinking and driving. The first thing I thought about was Sedona. Taylor kindly looked up the stats for me and we found out it is more expensive to live in Sedona than in Boston. Since I am not easily dissuaded I had him look at the little town of Cottonwood, which is right outside of Sedona. Better numbers all around. Less people + cheaper living = Ahhh. It sounds like I am going to be one of the only single people in that teeny town if I do in fact go back for a bit. That’s okay with me. I like to shake things up and bring the norm to a different place. A better place if you will. I am clearly the woman for the job. I will either charm them or totally blow their minds. Either way, it’s a nice fresh start for me. One of the things on my mind today was how people come as is. I like that. I always have. I have never emptied my head like this so I am focusing on the things that are important to me. One of the mistakes I have made in the past is looking for a way to add options. What a struggle. I’m done. I want people as they are and in return I would like people to take me “as is”. If I make improvement to self along the way, that’s a plus for them now isn’t it? But I am no longer going to put expectations upon myself for another person. If they want something, they can ask. I’ll do the same. But if the answer is a clear no, so be it. They are who they are as I am who I am. Demands are for people that don’t belong together. Romantically or platonically. Easier said than done? I truly don’t believe so. Lots of things become clear as day when you only have your canine companion with you for long periods. I had no idea. I’ve always been wrapped up in something or other before. This is awesome. The coolest part about my travel partner is that he even takes a pee break when I do. It’s all about my schedule. Oh yeah, and he eats my crust. And people think I like dogs better than people? They should know it. Ha!

Took 40 E all the way to Albuquerque. After stopping to get snacks and water I drove around aimlessly for a while just to feel like I was in the mix. Albuquerque is okay. Big, bustling and city like, but okay nonetheless. It’s also located right at the base of a mountain. Coming up on it was very cool. I located 25 N when I was done doing the stop light thing and headed towards CO. I thought about stopping in Santa Fe again but it felt like I was moving backwards so I skipped it. Route 25 is beautiful once past Santa Fe. I stopped in Las Vegas and received my first moving violation ticket. That was exciting. It took two officers and the sheriff to get the job done. No joke. At first it was kind of funny but then it was just annoying as I needed a restroom and had no idea why I was pulled over. I guess going straight through the stop sign and cutting off the recruit was the wrong decision. I’m going to have to be more careful about not stopping and cutting people off eh? What’s done is done. But I am thrilled it has taken me this long to get a ticket. I can usually get off without an issue but these boys were serious. No prizes for my award-winning smile this time damn it. Just one more reason to hate cops I suppose.

I climbed the tallest mountain today and hit the top. I felt like I was on top of the world. The town of Onava is up there all cute and lonely with nothing but sky and incredibly green farmland all around it. I am used to seeing other mountain peaks so it was sort of surreal in a way. Just the sky and me. The sun looks closer when it’s one of the only things you have a view of. Spectacular. The only place up there that caught my eye for longer than a second was the town of Wagonmound. Again, I can see why people live there. Not enough to actually set up shop but I get it.

Again with the cows. Cows cows cows. A sprinkling of horses and antelope but mostly our slow moving bovine friends. There were signs warning of elk but we didn’t see any. I would love to see a full sized elk with a big old rack on his head. I was told they’re huge! I’m going to keep looking. If I knew how to make an
elk call (or elk bugle if you will), I would practice and lure them towards me for a photo shoot. It sounds tough so I am going to have to practice while I drive. It can’t be that hard. Elk only hang out in the most gorgeous of places. As soon as the land turns into something you cannot take your eyes off of, there are elk signs. They’re like the elitist pigs of the Cervus family. If they were people they would only live in the swankest of places and only dine in the poshest of restaurants I’m sure. They would be the Bigelows.

I continue to see old broken down farm buildings. That nice rustic empty building look. It’s strange how it’s pleasing to the eye when it’s farm oriented and in the middle of nowhere but creepy and suspect when placed amongst civilization. Regardless, if I see one that looks picture worthy and is close enough to the highway that I can get a clear shot, I’ll do so. They’re just plain neat. Even the buildings that were used to live in are cool. The old broken store fronts are the best ever. Could be me.

Once out of NM the switch to CO was immediate. Beautiful scenic driving. While driving about all these rocky cliffs I have seen many many signs about falling rocks or watch for rocks. I don’t appreciate the one that shows huge rocks falling on the top of a car. Why even put that one there? Just to freak me out? Mission accomplished. But usually I only see little rocks and wonder what all the fuss is. CO leaves not one doubt in your mind what the fuss is. There are these HUGE boulders by the side of the highway that remind me how crushable I am. Considering how much nature likes to have her way with me and how flimsy those rock holding nets they hang on the cliff look, I can’t help but wonder.

I passed by Trinidad and Pueblo. Trinidad was very cool. Resembled Boston in a way with the older architecture but up close showed a lot of the buildings as abandoned. Pueblo was substantial and lively. To big for the likes of me. Also, doesn’t it snow up here? The temperature during day (or night) is perfect. Just flawless.

Ah yes. Last but not least… well, maybe least but only because there is so incredibly little going on there. Cows. Antelope. Prairie dogs. The occasional pick up truck. That sort of thing. Wait, back up. Did you know there was a massacre in Ludlow? There was. Were you even aware up until this point there even *was* a Ludlow? Me either! I was still driving and I was starting to need a stretch the legs break when I passed a sign for the The Ludlow Massacre Monument. As there wasn’t much going on (as in nothing but massive expanse and cows) and I’m always down to learn about group killings I thought I would give it a look see. It was small. You’d think with all that land they would gussy It up a bit but I’m not a monument specialist or anything so no biggie. It was very to the point. I posted the pictures on my Flickr account just in case you wanted to get the feel of it.

I’m stopped in CO Springs. My truck has been shimmying but the last mechanic didn’t see anything so I drove on. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t want to drive on anymore and that bums me out. I am going to find a decent mechanic tomorrow and see how fast they can fix that baby up. It’s a weekday so they shouldn’t be to packed. Rock on. Speaking of rocks, I am really looking forward to the mountains here. I have been told over and over how magnificent they are. If this is a hype thing I am going to lose it. Just kidding. I know it’s not hype because it’s natural. So far the only hype has been unnatural things so I know I am in for the time of my life. I’ll get pictures. I’m going to keep the laptop handy and fully charged in my office in case I fill up the memory again. I have the feeling that is what is going to happen. I want to go hiking with James but considering my amazing ability to become hopelessly lost in the woods and the stalking creatures that easily make humans prey in these here parts I get a little nervous. A little hiking on well-marked trails sounds rather nice though doesn’t it? Hey, maybe I can find someone that knows the lay of the land. Hmm. If that doesn’t work out I am certain I can find scenic routes just like I did when I drove through the Apache Mountains. I’m cool like that.

It’s amazing how much I don’t care about the people laden streets. Nature is so astounding here that it drowns out any societal need. But then I was never one for people so… I’m going to check out the places that people haven spoken with me about just because you never know. Chances are I’ll end up back on lonely roads high up in the mountains with nothing but awe-inspiring views everywhere I look. The lonelier it is, the better I feel. In any case, haven’t heard Jim scream bloody murder over not being able to chase something in a while. We’re due.