I am home.

I tried to email and blog on the road, however, that did not work. Now that I am home, I have many things to do. Blogging is the first, if perhaps the least, of those things. Yet, it is a good beginning. By doing this, I will let all those who look know at once that I am indeed returned in health and vigor and safety to my humble abode.

The trip went nearly as planned, only one element failed. The driving ended being not 12 hour drives, but more in the range of 14 to 18 hour drives, yet they came off without a hitch. As well, a few unforeseen elements became handsome parts of my trip. I will attempt to share what occurred, in a very general form, later to blog on specific components of the adventure which require their own forms.

I did begin my westward advance on Wednesday, June 18th at 23:00. My first destination was Colorado Springs. Two out of three of my email confirmations indicated, to my first host, that I would be arriving Thursday, June 19th. However, in my rush my final email indicated I would not be arriving until Friday. In any case, my host was gracious and recovered my erroneous action and allowed it to become a simple thing. We spent that afternoon discussing life and becoming acquainted. He has a wonderful family, a fine ‘establishment’, and the lot there made for a very comfortable stay. I am not sure what they were expecting from me, or whether I fit the bill as I write. For my part, I was somewhat surprised by those I met. I thought I had left my mind open, yet I find that I had not. In final analysis, I was pleasantly surprised, even going in with high expectations as it turns out.

We spent part of that first day running errands in preparation for the larger groups and the main of the compliment that were to arrive through time. The following day, after a fine breakfast (our host and hostess put out meals of great value and worth, seemingly effortlessly), an assorted group of us, including two of us early arrivers, our host, and two kinsman of our host, left for a visit to Pike’s Peak. There was good company and conversation, dry and not so dry humor, conversation, and a beginning to mutual introductions. The day drive was dotted with stops for sight seeing, information regarding the area, Pike’s Peak, and separate interesting events regarding transmission fluid and break heating. We had quite a large group, perhaps half of a football team’s starting line, in the vehicle. But quite a good day to be sure.

People began arriving as we returned and throughout the day and evening, I believe right up until the next morning. We all seemed to just wake up on time, and get in for breakfast. I myself had no alarm clock, so I was a bit surprised that I did not need a call. After breakfast, we packed up and headed toward our first rafting experience. Water was high, and many parts of this particular run were not open, so we took the run available, then when we finished it, we were served lunch and bused back to our initial put in point for another run. Our groups, those in my boat and those in the boat with the rest of our group, did well. However, there was one boat which capsized, one boat lost two members, and another boat lost it’s guide. All these were recovered, and the show, as it were, went on. At the end of the day, some headed home, many stayed a while and we ate a good meal, smoked various things, and drank many other things.

Ok, so you caught me. I did smoke cigars while there, and probably will every time I visit. My bad. Anyway…

The next day we needed to be up earlier. There were few of us left, 5 actually. We, again, consumed a fine morning fare, geared up, and mounted for our ride to the outfitters. I had a odious premonition. I did not think it was about me, I did not think it involved death, and either way I was not sure I should say anything, so mum I was. On we drove, arriving in plenty of time to suit out, lock our gear in the vehicle, then load into the bus for an expert white-water event. It seems as if we were much higher. And, being cloudy that day, were it was not the day before, those two last seemed to result in much colder water. For now, all I will say was… my premonition turned out to be mostly correct… and we had one hell of a ride and day. Some of us more than others? More to come about this in a separate blog.

That evening there was, again, great cheer, food, drink, and smoke. One of our number needed a small hospital visit, one of our lot was a bit bruised, sore, yet pleased, and all of us came away a little different. Though one of this last group had to go, I think a bond was created, it was good.

The next two days, our host needed to work, so his gracious lady escorted the two remaining visitors, myself included, around Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Aside from visiting various areas within CS, we also explored a park which may or may not have been in CS, a nearby town I believe named Manitu Springs (which actually has several artisan wells offering carbonated and not mineral waters free for the sampling), a hiking visit to the petrified redwood forest (well, a kin to redwoods), and finally to Cripple Creek (a gambling town on the other side of Pike’s Peak). Though I should have slept the last day so that I would be ready for what ended up being a 14 hour night drive through the mountains, then into Utah, and then finally to Las Vegas, I pushed on and then pushed on.

Leaving late and after a long day of hiking, walking, and driving, I headed to Las Vegas. I am glad I left at night, though if I do it again, I might leave earlier. As soon as the sun goes down would be about the best time to leave, as the sun sears the path to Las Vegas when it is up. I was so very drowsy on the way, I should have stayed another day or rested along the way, yet I was trying to make my schedule. I made it, hot, thirsty, and tired, but on time.

My friend and I had some talk, a bit more scotch, a cigar or two, and some good meals. The heat was impressive, yet I seemed to do fairly well until I needed to cool down and could not a time or two. I just suffered through and came out fine. I figured out a trick or two as well, but nothing to write home (or here) about. Though a little hint about one thing is, like with extreme cold, move slowly and deliberately in order to avoid breaking a sweat. He was between trips, literally having just gotten back from a two week trip, while being required to do a load of graduate level work and catch up as he could before again heading off on another two week trip (both trips being academically oriented, so almost all work and thought with little time for play or anything else). I think his work is stressful, as he is a bit grumpier than last I knew him. Though I think the heat and the travel were playing their part. Fine, fine, still, it was quite good to see him. I do think of him as a younger brother, maybe a smarter one in certain fields, but so be it. Well, at least he knows I mean it, sometimes, when I suggest I ought to visit sometime.

While there, I looked up my “brother”. I gave him one more chance to make amends, no fault. He rebuffed my offer and so I left. As I was leaving, he asked who had told me where to find him. I admitted it was my mother. I realized as I was leaving that, without some warning, this buffoon would verbally assault my mother for having given me this information, so I made sure to call her and warn her. For once, I think the woman held her own against the ogre. He called her at work and, as he usually does but with added furor as I have come to find out, he scorned and howled at this woman who had changed his diapers, fed him, clothed him. He demanded to know how she could betray him like this. This time, she told him to stop and back off, especially while she was working like a dog to make ends meet, and suggested he look up the work betrayal. Perhaps he should consider what his part in betrayal really is. I was proud of her. One door closed, for my part. I just hope she does not lose access to the grandkids she so dearly loves.

However, my visit to Vegas was fantastic. I do not gamble or anything. It was visiting a friend and learning more about the physical nature of Vegas, reading a bit about it’s history, and learning what my friend is studying and about his research. I had a lot of fun catching up, debating a bit, and seeing where he is in life. I ended up staying an extra day. At first my friend was really put out with this. In the end, I think he was glad for it for some reason. Whether the tweakiness of the heat, travel, and study put him out or whether I interfered with something, I am not sure. It all worked out and we left on good terms.

The reason I stayed a day longer was due to the fact that the off-roading fell through and I was just plumb tired. There were two off-road trips planned by members of the group with which I had been in contact, but both were class 4 or class 4 to 5 trips. Both of those require a great deal of experience or that plus a modified “rig”. I had neither. In spite of more than a months advance of asking for a beginners ride, the group failed. I will, the next time I get out that way, have my own plans. I will begin doing research and I will have a number of places I could go and just check with the group as to whether the areas are open or not. I will then post a number and an invite and plan on going alone. It was a bit disappointing, but it happens.

On my way through Utah I almost considered trying to make contact with someone I have been writing. She was disappointed that I had not been able to fit her into my plans, but I did not realize I would be coming through Utah until far too late. I had done time and distance planning, but I had not actually looked at the map prior to my planning. And, though I could have gone on to see her, I had absolutely zero plans as to how, where, when, or even if we could have made a connection. As well, I had no means of getting an email out on the fly like that (it seems I can only receive emails in some spots and with my phone). I was ready to begin my last stages of coming home, as well. I was tired, it was time.

The last bits to come soon, when I rest a bit. And, of course, some interesting tidbits to follow that as well. Oh, some of you will be receiving emails, a check, many thanks, and all that through various media too. Just, be a little patient, I am delicate, dontcha know?