The wide open. I sat in the driver's seat watching as the yellow lines on the road blurred forming one continuous line. I was somewhere in Illinois when I remembered my dog, Pike a German Shepherd Pit Mix rescue, was snoring in the backseat. "He's such a good dog." I thought to myself as I watched him in the rearview mirror. The clouds were ominous as I drove through a thunderstorm. Clank, clank, clank. The raindrops beat on the car, but the car paid no warning. We were on an adventure!
Before I knew it, I was in St. Louis! "WOW it's hot." It was the last few days in June and 82 degrees at 9PM. Pike and I found a dog AND vegan friendly restaurant that was open, parked the car, and embraced the action. It was a busy evening. People were walking on the sidewalk with their significant others, dogs, and children. I remember being nervous that Pike was going to bark or lunge at someone, but to my surprise, he was the star of the show! He behaved perfectly and ate the attention like treats. I had an enchilada - don't ask me what else was in it, but it was plant-based heaven! As I ate my last bite, I paid the bill, gave Pike a treat, and we were off for the next leg of the trip.
I don't remember much of Missouri. It was the middle of the night as I drove in and out of farmlands and towns. My main memory, aside from St. Louis, was a billboard with an artichoke. "Artichokes are my favorite food! Great, now I'm hungry." Just like that, Kansas City. There was a purple haze around the nearly empty city. There weren't very many cars, but there was a strange presence between us, like we were all on our way to somewhere great. After Topeka, I hopped on a toll road where I stopped at a gas station/rest stop and took my first nap! I really enjoyed that stop. The gas station was paired with a fast food restaurant and had showers! I didn't take a shower, but I noted that it would be a good place to stop if I needed to. And there I was, back on the road.
I had to stop again to take a nap. You see, I had worked the day before. I got up at 6AM and worked until 4PM, packed the car, said goodbye to my other two furbabaies, and left by 6PM At this moment, I had wished I took a short nap, but my nerves were too heightened to rest. I was going to Colorado! No matter where I parked, there was a bright light shinned in my car right on my face. I probably moved my car three times before giving up and putting a hat over my eyes. I laid in the backseat with Pike and it was TIGHT living quarters, as you can imagine. He was so alert, we barely got a wink of sleep. Every time someone opened their car door, walked by, or he heard a strange noise, he'd give a low pitch moan or scuff. That Pike really is a good dog.
It was mid-morning. We were driving across the great plainlands of Kansas when I found out my good friend was also driving across the country. We would arrive in Denver around the same time! He was being stationed in Washington State from Rhode Island and was traveling with his RV and two furbabies. He sent me the address of the campground he had reservations at and invited me to hang out. I still had about 4 hours before arriving, and the Colorado boarder was one hour away!
There it was! The big brown Welcome to Colorado sign I had been waiting for! It took me 15 hours (total time including breaks). Pure exhaustion mixed with excitement sent my body into a confusing state. I took pictures at the sign and texted my parents, "I FINALLY made it!" I was in love with a state I had never been to before, and even though I was surrounded by plainlands, my adrenaline was pumping!
Three hours later I made it to Denver. I had a few hours to kill before my friend showed up, so Pike and I went on a hike and to a local pet store. It was pushing 95 degrees that day, so sitting in the car was pure misery. The cool airconditioned store was refreshing! Pike was able to stretch his legs, meet some friends, and get a plethora of treats. I even bought some for my friend's puppers. The campground was quaint, nestled in a patch of evergreens. I couldn't get over how amazing it smelled. The fresh air, shade from the sun, and peaceful surroundings left me feeling calm and refreshed. I was going on 22 hours of no sleep, so the feeling was starting to fade, but then my friend showed up and I was awake once again!
We went to a Mexican restaurant close by, picked up some food, and headed back to the campground where we both passed out. The next day, we went on a day hike in a park before we went our separate ways. He was off to Washington and I was off to Aspen. I was sad to leave, but I knew I was in for a big treat once I got into the actual Rocky Mountains! The four hour drive to Aspen left my mouth wide open! I grew up in Southern California, so I had seen big mountains, but the Rockies of Colorado are something special. I was humbled by their magnificence. "God is an amazing artist," I kept thinking to myself.
Due to an accident on the I70W, I was routed through Colorado Springs and went the southern way into Aspen. I came up on Hartsel, Buena Vista, Granite, and Twin Lakes. In that moment, I knew Twin Lakes was going to be a special place in my heart. I drove the scenic route from Twin Lakes to Aspen and my heart was racing! I had no idea this level of beauty existed. I must have already taken 100 pictures! I came into Aspen, listening to John Denver, and made my way to a campground off Maroon Creek Road. You could see Maroon Bells in the distance!
My original goal was to backpack the Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells Wilderness. That's a roughly 26 mile trek over four 12k foot passes. However, after talking to the rangers, they advised against it due to the snow levels. Being timid and new to this whole experience, I allowed them to talk me out of my original plan. It was probably for the best, since my skill level was NOVICE. I didn't have any snow gear, and I wasn't sure what to expect. So instead, we stayed at one of the campgrounds and did several day hikes to Crater Lake and the surrounding areas. Pike went swimming, chased deer, and was having the time of his life! We planned on staying the night at Crater Lake when I locked my keys in the trunk of the car!
I was stranded! I had no cell service. I had half a liter of water, my dog, and my phone. My wallet was in the trunk along with everything else I owned. Pike and I ran to the ranger station just a few hundred feet down the road and pleaded for help. The ranger on duty was less than helpful. He wouldn't let me use his phone to call AAA nor did he show any signs of remorse. I learned real quick that I don't need or want pity, but I could have used a phone! Pike and I set off for the six mile trek to town where I hoped to use a phone or have cell service. I tried to get a hitch, but no one wanted to pick us up except for a few suspicious guys. I politely declined and pushed forward. I was very thankful to have Pike. Finally, after about four miles of road walking through an afternoon thunderstorm, a shuttle bus picked us up.
It was standing room only! Pike was being so good, but then a foreign family jumped on and a little four year old boy was smacking Pike. I asked him to stop and made eye contact with his parents, but they were oblivious. It was clear the language barrier was creating a disconnect, but suddenly the hairs on Pike's back started to rise. I sternly asked the boy to stop and pleaded with the parents, who laughed. I'm not sure what they were thinking, but when Pike started to growl at the boy, who had not stopped smacking him, I instantly fell to my knees and put my hands around Pike's mouth. At that time, I'm yelling at the parents and I have never been more thankful for outside assistance than I was in this moment. The bus driver stopped the bus and told the parents if they don't control their kid they will be forced to leave the bus. In that moment, I was mortified and thankful. The ENTIRE bus now knew I had an aggressive dog. Pike was a rescue from an abusive home. I had spent the better part of two years rehabilitating him. I don't have children, so I never knew he was impatient with kids. However, I must add that when I told him to calm down and that it would be okay, his entire demeanor changed - even though the kid was STILL smacking him.
We made it to the main parking lot with no casualties. What a relief! I was able to call AAA and the driver was willing to drive Pike and I back to my car. It took about two hours before he was able to meet me, but Pike and I didn't care. We were now dry, sitting under the awning, with cell service, and I reflected on the day. I knew no matter what, God was with me. Even when I lock the keys in the car, encounter scary men driving back and forth taunting us, and when kids are obnoxious, God is good.
I decided to leave the Maroon Bells Wilderness area on the 4th of July and headed back to Twin Lakes. I found a cute campground nestled between 14k foot peaks and listened to the bugs buzz around my tent. Pike and I decided to go down to the lakes to cool off, when I noticed a humming sound coming from the engine bay of the car. I worriedly left to go to the beach where Pike jumped in the fidget lake! It had turned into a beautiful day. The sun was shining, it was warm, and several 14ers surrounded me.
I got back in my car and drove back to the campground. Half way there, my car started to overheat. I pulled over, turned the car off, and waited. I had nothing in my car to keep the car from overheating, but I knew the little store in Twin Lakes was my only hope. I managed to make it to Twin Lakes before my car overheated again. I bought several bottles of antifreeze and sat there for an hour waiting for it to cool off enough to see what was going on.
I had limited cell service, but I was able to call my dad. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot he could do for me, but at least I had someone to talk to. After letting the car cool off I was able to refill the antifreeze and make it to the campground. The campground hosts were so nice! They saw I was in distress and offered to follow me to Buena Vista to drop my car off and bring me back, and take me to get the car when it was fixed. Again, I cannot stress how good God is. However, by this time, my nerves were shot. I stayed the night, where they gave me gallons of water to make it the three hours back to the Springs, and I left the following morning. I stopped at a Honda dealer in the Springs and they said I was fortunate because it was just the seal that had broken on the cap! I was in luck, one of the neighbor stores had the part I needed and within a few hours I was good as new.
Unfortunately, I was mentally exhausted by now. I decided to leave my beloved Colorado and head home five days early. I had an amazing trip that left me with perspective. I learned a great deal about myself and that my limits could be tested! The most important lesson I learned was that no matter what God is there. If you ask that he shows himself, he will! Be prepared though!
Don't worry, this isn't the end! Stay tuned for my next adventure - I went back to Colorado the following September where I DID successfully complete the Four Pass Loop! Keep your eyes open for that blog!
Thank you!
Nat Moran
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