Jul. 26, 2004 - 22:11 MDT

THE WONDERING JEW

Without News

This morning was a good morning to go to the mountains, warm, sunny and we all were in the mood, have been ever since they got here. Prior to their arrival there had been much rain in the area and our foothills, but today it was all clear.

Six people bouncing off each other in a small apartment getting ready to go somewhere is a comical thing to see if one can do it with a humorous outlook. Didn't know where we were going at the start, just to the mountains. I-70 West was the way to the hills having many turnoffs to various parts of hill country so that is the way e started. The ladies conferred and finally decided to take the Mount Evans road. It has been at least ten years since Heather and I went up there, such a beautiful scenic ride it is.

Almost at the start the road is one lane each way and the further you go the more twisty it gets. finally we got to the pay-and-go gate and paid ten bucks for our carload and gaily went our way. None of us gets white-knuckled on the mountain roads, so it was a matter of "hit the ball and drag George" twisting and turning as the road went. We were amazed that we didn't encounter even one "cowboy" trying to herd those cars ahead.

We knew we were getting high when the Bristlecone Pines showed up along side the road. Those are old, old trees. The ones we saw were old but their species I think are the oldest pines on earth. Finally there were no trees on the way, just small, close to the earth growths. Bare bones of rocks sticking out of the ground, in the near distance cliffs and etc.

We got to the top and parked. Getting out and stretching our legs and watching a mountain goat and her baby hopping up on the rock wall, doing what they wanted to, yet keeping an eye on the two legged breed milling around. They were a kick, Mama hopping up and back down closely followed by her baby. They would pause and lick the rocks of the wall, none of us could figure out why, but we had a good time watching those agile, sure footed animals.

Son-in-law and the grands decided to take a short hike clear up to the top for the view. Heather, daughter and I stayed in the car and visited -- me off and on doing a crossword puzzle. Soon rain began to drift down, then it came down harder and then it started snowing. We noticed folks streaming to their cars and getting in. After while our bunch showed up, shook themselves like puppy dogs and climbed in the car. Grand daughter, all tickled and aglow said, "We were the last ones on top."

We began to go back down in the steady rain making a long pause along the way to let two marmots in the middle of the road decide what they wanted to do. After while they moved far enough apart that we could get through.

The rain turned into mushy hail, I guess you would call it that, large clumps of snowy, wet whatever. We got out of that back into rain which slackened as we went. Then we got lower and made a stop at Summit Lake (which is below the top of the peak), and had lunch enjoying the cool, clear air and surveying the flora and fauna. All small stuff, most of it in bloom. Tiny flowers but the ground was covered with the variety. There were sand trails and warnings to not step off them. We saw many photographers doing close up shots of them. There were a few birds around the lake and many flying by overhead.

Lingering, we finally decided to head back toward town and see the Red Rocks Amphitheater so the grands could get the idea of the grand extent of the whole thing. But we were not allowed to go to the upper parking area, the restaurant or gift shop or the amphitheather itself. Not sure if they were doing routine maintenace or preparing for one of their Summer Events, featuring rock stars usually -- bringing in Big Bucks to attend.

Heather directed the driver down to Morrison (just below the amphitheater) and after finding out where the girls wanted to go we went back the same way we came and so into town. Then we figured out how to get to 15th Street and turned left toward the Platte River. They wanted to go to the REI at 15th and Platte Street. It is in a huge old building that once housed the power plant which supplied electric power for the Denver Tramway system. For a sporting goods, camping, fishing, mountain climbing place they couldn't have found a better place. They have tall synthetic rock, climbing areas, several stories high. All the things an outdoor person would ever want and much more than one could afford. Not finding what they wanted there, we proceeded to go to Gart Brothers Castle on Broadway for more shopping. Heather and I spent quality time in the car both times while they shopped.

Then we inched our way toward home, bit by bit in the traffic, bumper to bumper, little by little.

We arrived home happy, tired and hungry. It was a very successful vacation day for us all. We got together a dinner from yesterday's meal and feasted, with cheesecake for dessert.

Funny thing is that the news is still in its little plastic bag just like it was delivered this morning. None of us took time to even scan any of it. I survived a whole darn day Without News . . . . . . . . .

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