Colorado Tourism – Snippets of a Traveling Mind

“ Each of us must confront our own fears and must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it.” (Judy Blume).

It would be easy to“let my guard down” and say that my worst fears of the Corona Virus have ended. After all, I can again stroll the beach, eat at my favorite cafes, or find a friend to accompany me to a live Miami Dolphin game. Yet the beginning of Phase 2 recovery from the pandemic, however, does not mean life for me has returned to normal. For I continue to face seemingly minute to minute decisions about when and where to wear my mask, sanitize my hands, and social distance from strangers in congested South Florida. So being a person who likes to get “out and about”, my 2018 Honda CRV therefore now serves as the most natural place to feel safest now from such continuing airborne health concerns.

Other thoughts are going through our minds as Ruth and I move forward to resume our road trip adventures this weekend. For a quick glance at the photos at the end of this blog provides an emotional calling for both of us to experience autumn’s natural beauty again amid the the wide open spaces of Colorado. But don’t get me wrong as I am not taking our decision to plan such a long distance road trip now lightly.

Consider then that I’ve learned from our March road trip to steer clear of those regions in our country that remain potential “hot spots”for Corona spread activity. Thus, such destinations as New Orleans, Houston, and Denver seem too risky to visit at this particular time. We must pay vigorous attention as well to likely encounters with freezing road conditions, smoke filled air, and late season hurricane activity. So take a look at our proposed itinerary in the cover photo above. Feel free to provide comments to me about our projected loop route to and from home.

So what might interest you to read my upcoming U.S. travel blogs in October and early November other than autumn’s natural beauty? Ten items below immediately come to mind.

1) Capture the authentic antebellum feel of Route 61 adjacent to the east side of the Mississippi River.
(2) Be curious about some lesser known museums of local historic interest in the Deep South region.
(3) Understand some longstanding cultural traditions of German dominant communities in small Midwest towns.
(4) Observe some notable hiking trails or snow-shoe paths in the state parks of Colorado.
(5) Enjoy the live music sound of country rock in Texas.
(6) Feel the fall excitement of game day fever in a southern, college football town.
(7) Tour the hallowed grounds of a famous Civil War battlefield site.
(8) Gain a sense of the political pulse of small town America for the upcoming Presidential election.
(9) Learn some interesting facts about birdwatching in the wild nature of the Rocky Mountain region.
(10) Uplift your with human spirit with some timely words from one of my current novel readings.

See you on the road soon. Stay well. USFMAN

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” (Charles Bowden)

Anytime Ruth and I take a road trip through the Rocky Mountain region, we prioritize heading to the small western town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Touted by many as a popular resort for the younger, skiing/hiking crowd amidst its picturesque mountainous setting and eco- friendly persona, our personal connection to Steamboat goes much deeper. For the Steamboat experience often evokes for us as a much needed opportunity for peaceful repose and rejuvenation from the stressful realities of urban life back east.

Because of the Covid-19 scare, Steamboat seems to be a particularly important stop on our mid- June road trip this year. For summertime’s flourish here now offers us a safe, welcoming outdoor experience on this Colorado leg of our sometimes risky road trip. So in proper social distancing manner, we wear our mask when the occasion arises and we typically observe others we encounter doing the same. While choosing to frequent less crowded hiking trails, we savor the opportunity to meet dogs more than people. Or by finding a park bench or a cafe patio to enjoy our meals, we stay healthily distant from any crowded social situations. So settle into a healthy slice of this year’s Steamboat Summer Sparkle in the following photographic display.

On Tuesday morning, we left Fort Collins, Colorado, traveling due west, for a leisurely, seven hour drive to Steamboat. As you can tell in the photographs below, the Rocky Mountain, summertime scenery captivated our attention along this narrowly winding road.

After settling into the rustic Steamboat Mountain Lodge, on Wednesday morning we embarked on an energizing hike through colorful meadows, dense forest, and a soothing stream along the Spring Creek Trail.

Continuing Wednesday afternoon to Steamboat State Park, twenty miles north of town for a relaxing excursion, I observed the magically visual combination of mountain meets water at the park marina.