West to Colorado: Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with my Dad

Well, my dad and I finally arrived in Colorado late yesterday afternoon! 

Today decided we had to get out to Rocky Mountain National Park. For as long as I can remember, I've lusted about this national park. Being that this grand wilderness was only about a twenty-minute drive from my new home and workplace at YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch, today's trip would be the first of many. I can't wait to return and explore more and at some point, maybe even backpack.

Compared to dry Badlands National Park where my father and I had spent a few hours just three days ago, Rocky Mountain felt majestic. Our original aspirations were to drive the infamous Trail Ridge Road that connects the east and west sides of the park, winding through numerous peaks between 11,000 ft to a little shy of 13,000 ft. While the western terminus of the road began where we were, in Grand Lake, the road would eventually after some 48 miles take us east into Estes Park. But we faced a roadblock a few miles into the park, the road itself had been closed due to tons of snow in ice...in October! That was a new concept to me.

We walked around a little bit, breathing in this refreshing, cold mountainous air. It was the perfect father and son experience that I will cherish and treasure for years to come. Once I get settled, I'll be back here very often to explore. This is my big beautiful backyard now.

The next day, my father helped move me into the YMCA of The Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch's community housing, in almost a college dorm-like building called Blue Ridge. After that, we hopped back in my station wagon and drove back towards the Grand Lake area. We had planned to park at a trailhead and hike to Adams Falls. The waterfall plunges down some 55 feet into a deep rocky gorge. Following the East Inlet Trail, we were at close to 8,500 ft in elevation with explosive views of nearby Shadow Mountain, Grand Lake, and the distant Grand Valley. After checking out Adams Falls, my dad and I went and trekked further beyond the falls. We followed the feeder stream back into a quiet patch of woods where I felt this sensation of 100% tranquility. I could sit there all day, reflecting under the towering lodgepole pines.

There's just something magical about this place called Colorado.

Cheers,
Robby

West to Colorado: Wyoming is God's country

After driving through the dark night from South Dakota and eventually into Wyoming.

My dad and I called it a night at some roadside motel in Lusk, Wyoming. When we awoke the next morning, the motel manager informed us that storms with snow and heavy rain were approaching the area. After a brief and simple breakfast, strong winds and dark horizons approached. Rain started to hit as soon as we packed our overnight bags into the wagon. I stopped for gas to top-off before embarking back onto the interstate west, into the open land that was Wyoming proper. While filling up, a Niobrara County Sherriff's deputy pulled up in a muddy Dodge Ram pickup.

We soon passed through the town of Fort Laramie. Per our TomTom GPS, we had about six hours of driving lay ahead until we arrived in Granby, Colorado, our final destination. We'd head south down on I25, passing through Cheyenne before crossing the border into Colorado. Driving the "Adventure Mobile" through Wyoming was a treat. Rolling hills and endless fields were covered by moody blue skies, with an occasional tall rocky bluff poking upwards. This was, without a doubt, God's country.

Wyoming was a truly beautiful state. It got me even more excited to head west. It was so desolate too. There'd be times we'd go nearly 30 minutes without seeing another car or building along the highway. Another thing the "Equality State" had going for it, was its generous 80 mph speed limits on some interstates. Wisconsin's roads take a big step back with its miserable 65 mph posting.

In the late afternoon, we passed through Denver and were making our way up I70 into the mountains. Things started to feel more real. This next adventure and journey were starting. I was almost to my new home. As we approached the town of Empire and began our climb up Berthoud Pass, it started to pour rain, followed by transformation to snow. Berthoud Pass is a beast to drive, crossing over the Continental Divide near 12,000 ft then falling into Grand Valley, where Winter Park, Tabernash, Fraser, and Granby were. Thankfully, my Saabaru wagon had all wheel drive and it wasn't as treacherous as I had expected. Though being my first time driving the pass, it was a bit white-knuckled.

A minor snowstorm in October? Dreamy for sure, and a nice way to welcome us into Granby, Colorado, which sat at a steep 8,000 feet of elevation. The air was thin but I was too happy to notice. Almost 2,000 miles on the odometer and three days later, I set foot on my new home and place of employment, YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch. Let this new chapter begin. I'm so grateful my father shared this adventure out to Colorado with me.

Cheers,
Robby

West to Colorado: Stopping at the Badlands

Day two started with cheap ground coffee and instant waffles in our hotel lobby.

On our approach to Badlands National Park, the first National Park I properly get to visit and explore with my father, we stopped at a gas station outside of Kadoka, South Dakota (hey that rhymes!) for gas. A teepee at the end of the gas station's parking lot almost echoed back to the golden days of roadside attractions that really made the great American road trip.

Back on 240, before entering Badlands National Park proper, we had to stop at this towering concrete prairie dog, which marked you were now in Cactus Flats. I mean, seriously, how could you not? Signs for prairie dog feeding? Sure! Strong winds blew tumbleweeds across this desolate roadside attraction. I questioned if it was actually abandoned. I also was able to get up close and personal with a few of the comical little critters. These crazy prairie dogs had my dad and I laughing.

Months before leaving Wisconsin, my dad and I floated the idea of visiting Badlands National Park when scoping out our route to Colorado. I was incredibly stoked because stopping here would be my first time actually visiting and exploring a national park! As soon as we pulled into the entrance, I got out of the car and stretched my arms up to the sky in happiness. The rush of emotions I had was so strong. It was breathtaking. For miles, I could see deep canyons and sharp, jagged towering rock formations in all shades of desert colors. These natural masterpieces were humbling, I had never experienced such wild terrain like this. We grabbed lunch at the cafe near the visitor center, where I had Buffalo nachos and met a few Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep on the sides of the road that were within arms reach of our car. One day truly wasn't nearly enough time to really soak in and absorb this special energy. I cannot wait to get back here again someday soon. I fell in love with Badlands National Park, and it fueled my desire to get out west even more.

Another must-stop during our road trip to Colorado was Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota. For as long as I can remember this national icon has been of interest to me, having learned about it in school and hearing stories about the history behind how it was sculpted. My father was equally just as excited. Walking down the promenade towards the viewing area, it definitely was a lot bigger than I had expected. Let me tell you this, after reading quite a bit about Mount Rushmore....wow did they use a metric ton of dynamite. After seeing the presidents head-on, my dad and I hiked around a few of the short paths for unique vantage points. The closer I got to the faces, the more fine details I could spot. For example, I never knew Teddy Roosevelt, the most bad-ass president in American history actually had his glasses chiseled onto his 60ft tall bust on Mt. Rushmore. Sadly, the battery on my Canon Rebel digital SLR camera died, so pictures I got were from my cell phone. It looks like I'll need to make another trip out to Mount Rushmore at some point and get more, bigger, and better pictures.

Driving back through the Black Hills as the sunset felt dreamy. Starving and following the glow of our TomTom GPS, we found a spot in Edgemont, South Dakota to stop for a very late dinner. We strolled into the Hat Creek Grill where the food was delicious, as was the people watching. It also happened to be a Packers bar, which my father and I were content with. I'd highly recommend stopping here if you're passing by. Also, what the heck is with the like millions of Wall Drug signs littering this gorgeous South Dakota landscape? Gross.
Stomachs full, we hopped back in the wagon and continued west to Colorado. Who knows where we'll end up tonight.

Cheers,
Robby

On the iPod: "Living for the Night" by George Strait

West to Colorado: Bound for Sioux Falls

The first leg of long-distance driving is sealed in the books.

 
With my wagon packed to the gills and a last-minute tune-up, my dad and I plugged in the GPS to our eventual final destination of Granby, Colorado. After nearly 8 hours, three states, and 500 miles later, we reached South Dakota's biggest city, Sioux Falls just after 11pm. Chillier temperatures in the low 30s greeted us. Gas has been crazy cheap so far, with prices hovering at $2.93 per gallon around here. Venturing down rural highways surrounded by endless dark cornfields, I noticed the occasional distant bright headlights of big tractors and farming equipment still kicking up clouds of dust as they finish working this late fall October night. What was our highlight of the day? Stopping at a 55ft tall statue of the Jolly Green Giant located in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Random yes, but we had to and I'm glad we did. Apologies for the mediocre quality cell phone images.

Cheers,
Robby

On the iPod: "Move on Up (Extended Version)" by Curtis Mayfield

West to Colorado: The Countdown Begins

Well, there's about 16 days until go-time.

 
Just a little over two weeks until my father and I hop in my black Saab 9-2x station wagon and drive west to the YMCA of the Rockies, where I'll begin the next chapter in life. The road trip from Wisconsin to Colorado looks to be about just over 19 hours and 1,276 whopping miles. In prior planning, my father and I chatted about stopping at Badlands National Park in South Dakota which we're both eager to do. There's lots to pack and tons do until we depart the morning of October 10 so stay tuned. Adventure awaits!

Cheers,
Robby