Red Rocks Bound

Day 1 (September 7,2005)

All I learned about Colorado, I learned in Mork and Mindy

By Google Maps we’re off on a 4400 km roadtrip. Our main target is Morrison Co., just outside of Denver. More exactly, Red Rocks Ampitheatre and a date with Dave Matthews.

There’s an intangible feeling one gets when traveling through the U.S. that reminds you you’re not home anymore. I’m trying to put my finger on it. The trees are closer to the road, there’s this funky way of marking curves with reflectors, and I suppose there’s the speed limits in miles. My favourite, tho, is the trashy brand of right wing, fascinista, talk radio they have at nights. Waay entertaining. Michael Reagan (Ronny’s son) has a show, and OMG it’s funny (in a radical, right wing kinda way) as shit.

You just know you’re not in Kansas anymore. Or maybe we are, and that’s the problem.

After passing through Homeland Security’s border check (she smiled and was actually friendly) we drove through what I imagine must be beautiful scenery in northern Montana. Along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, we survived the “road of death”, route 39 that connects Mt hwys. 89 and 2. Twisty, turny, and these massive drop-offs on the right hand side. OR what we imagined must be massive drop-offs, since we really couldn’t see well. Scary nonetheless. We summited Marias Pass at 1590m.

We’re sleeping in the car tonight, at a National Forestry day use area about 40 km south of Kalispell Mt. Surprisingly comfortable with front and back seats reclined fully. But Justin, he snores. AT least he drives.

Today we traveled 700 km in about 8.5 hours.