A few more notes about my travels

As the night wore on and Boulder become drunker, this town, rather than become more obnoxious, as many towns might, it became more charming and grew on me a bit more. Or perhaps it was the wine. In either case, all of the overly-sanitized, organic, athletic, and family-oriented inhabitants seemed to have either gone to bed or let their hair down. Twenty-somethings and fifty-somethings alike shook it to Prince on the dance floor of the wine bar. All seemed right with the world.

Nonetheless, there was still something about this unpretentious yet too perfect place that I still couldn't trust. I still felt like I was in a movie- perhaps the college-town version of Stepford and all the hippies would at any moment morph into fembots. And then I began to wonder- what exactly about a place with such an aura of safety, happiness, and peace made me suspicious?

Then on Sunday, after the party with S's relatives, the couple we stayed with took us for a drive around in the mountains. We went to see Red Rocks ampitheatre and Buffalo Bill's grave. Along the way we also stopped to see the dinosaur footprints and I smiled to myself trying to imagine what excuse non-believers in dinosaurs would make for the footprints' exsistence? Perhaps that it was a prank by some Native American teenagers in the early part of last century? (around the time they were discovered)

For those who have never heard of Red Rocks, it is a huge (perhaps the world's largest) natural amphitheatre. Opera singers who performed there in the late 1800s described it as the most amazing acoustics they had ever experienced. Pretty much everyone who's anyone in the world of music has performed there at some point. It has become a tradition to have a sunrise service there on Easter, attendance at which has now been added to my list of things to do in life. Out there among such grand natural beauty, I think I would feel very close to Jesus's return to life.

After turning in early on Sunday, I got up for a morning run. I was fortunately able to find my way out of Lakewood's (where we were staying) busy traffic and onto a trail aournd a large pond, I once again was struck with the wonder of simply being in a place so pleasing to the eye. And I asked myself what made this place much nicer than so many others? Was it the refreshing breeze? The gentle lapping of the water on the trail? The sun coming up over the Rockies? I remember wanting to absorb every iota of it but not being quite sure how.

Now, after a 26 hour bus ride I am in San Francisco. I love it! (so far) But alas, there is a line for the computer so I must go!

The journey begins...

First of al I want to thank everyone who came to my birthday festivities! It was wonderful to get to spend time with all of you before heading out on my journey.

About the journey so far- Interestingly, but not surprisingly, my triathlon training skills have already come in handy as S and I had to make a frantic dash through the Atlanta airport, backpacks swinging and flip flops flapping, dodging small children, strollers, wheelchairs, and angry Philadelphians. There were escalators and the airport train to contend with but at last we made it to our plane, which we then got to sit in on the runway for an hour, courtesy of Hotlanta airport. Our plane to Hotlanta had been an hour late courtesy of Airtran (so much courtesy going around!) which was what had spawned this mad dash. Maybe they just sensed that S and I wanted some exercise. In any case, I am now considering signing up for competitive airport running. I really think its the urban sport of the future.

Nonetheless, once we had been sufficiently bitched at by the grouchy flight attendants (remind me never to fly this airline again no matter how cheap it is) we arrived safely in Denver where S's extremely kind relatives and a comfy bed awaited us.

This morning one of S's kindly relations took us on a drive in the mountains on the Peak to Peak highway. And I really must take this moment to insert that they really are most generous. Tomorrow they are throwing a party in our (okay mainly her) honor! The highway was, needless to say, quite breathtaking. Apparently in the late 1800s and early twentieth century it was quite the tourist hot spot- hotels along the way might cost as much as one month's wages for one night!

Right now we are in Boulder for the night. I like it very much, as it is a very clean city and the inhabitants are many times friendlier than the airtran flight attendants. And it is chock full of both bookstores and coffee shops- which are 2 of my favorite things. And yet somehow I don't quite connect with its energy- or lack thereof. Its as though the people are so intent on being peaceful and zenlike that they have forgotten about a grittier, rawer side to themselves. Can too much inner peace be a bad thing? But I'm now about to head out to the bars, so perhaps a different side of Boulder is in store...

Issue 2

Its 2am and I'm finally done with issue 2 of Text. Earlier I had some vague notion of writing a blogpost about how being a bridesmaid last weekend was not nearly as scary as I thought it would be but now, TEN HOURS later, I think it will just have to wait for another day. Look for issue 2 in local coffee shops tomorrow. Oh wait, I mean, today.