Daytrip; WY

August 16 I was invited to join Kelly and Libby on their afternoon joy-ride today and when work was finished and things were packed, a spontaneous roadtrip was had. No destination of course- similar previous outings had landed us on the shores of Shadow Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir and as far as Estes Park. ..South was the first decision to be made, though not until the junction of hwy34. I think that it was then Libby's suggestion to visit hwy 125- 16 miles and a little to the west. With everyone in a fun, adventurous mood the unfamiliar turn North was exciting...

Blue skies, good rockin' music and a sunroof- Libby had already been a' ways up this road.

Some of the forming clouds were phenomenal: they appeared right on top of us, and it became as though we were seeing strait down the foretelling line of a cold front. The open road drove us up into the mountains again- the 'backside' of the Never Summer Range, I think. 125 rolled over a low pass and we spotted signs labeling the 4x4 route to Stillwater pass and Grand lake. Kelly took advantage of the unexpected straightaway while theorizing why flat landscapes had never before been as spectacular and beautiful. She proposed the idea that, having spent two and a half months in the mountains, the strange, vast park was beautiful for it's unexpectedness and because it had become so unfamiliar to her. I, too, found it remarkable- though I had spent time driving through such flatness just a day ago.

Rumors of a town named Walden began to arise as the telephone poles continued to string in a strait line. Libby believed that C-14 intersected our highway in Walden, and suggested that we could drive it back to Grand Lake via Estes Park, but the idea went no further. It came quickly-the town of only a few blocks went fast, though Kelly sure had enough time to locate the area's ice cream shop. Maybe on the way back? Shortly after passing through the town we caught up to the befitting pick-up camper. Wyoming plates.

Wyoming? Kelly had been there once and Libby claimed limited familiarity. I think I figured once that the border is 50-someodd miles from Shadowcliff as the crow flies- the map read that 125 would branch from 127 just twentysomething miles from the state.

The Atlas circulated the car and a casual consensus was made. It became important to them to take me to Wyoming, and although nobody was sure what we would find there, it was surely going to be our next stop! The road led us through the Cowdrey community (not quite a town) which had no ice cream shops or much at all and a small ridge appeared in the far distance. high winds gave way to gusts that tore at the dry vegetation and drove awesome waves of cloud-shadows over the plains to where they were more spectacular on the hills. We took the first noticeable bend with the road shortly after the village, and turn infinite again. Kelly made another excellent Music choice and Libby basked when she could through the open top of the car- didn't even have to yield for the awaited turn towards Wyoming!

Walden, CO

The miles counted down until Libby got all excited about the Leaving Colorado sign to our right. we determined that the Welcome to Wyoming sign did not exist before we passed it. our goal was then accomplished and we turned for Walden after a chilly Bathroom break at the restrooms of a gravel turnoff. I stepped out of the car to examine wildflowers and walk and breathe in new territory.

Kelly appeared a few minutes later and yanked me from some short lavender lupines on the side of the lot. The sunroof was closed for a few minutes as we each recovered from the chill- Libby wore the rides' only long-sleeve.

It opened up again shortly after when the sun glared warmth. The long-hair had her dew eaten by the greasy vacuum of the roof in a hilarious event that had us two rollin' and crackin' jokes for quite a few miles. Conversation turned to our most embarrassing nicknames- each with a worthy story. I found my own to be less embarrassing and dastardly than some of the names mentioned... guess Ive been lucky...

Cowdrey appeared even smaller when we rode back through- the excitement had definitely gotten to us as the car shared a few moments of tired silence. Walden was next and I don't think that it was until we were in town that the advertised sweetshop was to be visited. The sky had grown threatening on the drive in, and Waldens' first juicy raindrops fell on our short jaunt around the corner. The town was quiet- only a few trucks were parked and buildings appeared disturbingly dark in the beginnings of the storm. I stepped aside for a second to take a pic.

Inside was a warehouse that made little sense at first. To the left, and around the beautiful old brick building were small displays of for-sale antiques. Old books, old china and the usual everything-else. Kelly was drawn to the highest-stacked bookshelves before anything else- Libby meandered and I gave the two at the ice-cream stand in the middle of the empty floor a quick friendly-nod before entering the carpeted bordering antique displays. The girls were all excited about a huge collection of Louis L'Amour stories. I had to ask about what made them so significant. Turns' out that he was a big Western Story writer and Kelly is a fan.

We got our treats- The large woman taking our orders some comments to the effect of 'been a long day..' and didn't come off as the most friendly of people. Her helper whipped up the sweets in only a few moments and gave a short smile. I wasn't sure about what to think of the encounter- I guess that most of her important patrons- the repeat-business-doers- are the recognisable locals and us one-timers required no more niceties while the sale was completed.

I glanced at the odometer on the far-side of Walden.. when Kelly mentioned the low-gas situation and I found that we were really going to have done 200 miles by the time we got home!

South of town- as we neared again the pass between us and Grandby- The storm which had poured on Walden became spectacular! Rain-bands, lightening and the ever-beautiful park all made for a scene worthy of stopping. Libby was tired, but Kelly braved the cold wind with me to admire what we had driven through. It was soo low to the ground! Amazing!

The surprise-trip had made for an exciting afternoon- we returned to Shadowcliff tired and happy!