Water For Elephants!

Our new route took us north through the rockies of Colorado – ski country! We just went from the top of one mountain into the valley and up into another mountain pass – reaching 11,000’ at one point. It was spectacular. The mountains were still iced with snow, just like a dripping ice cream cone. We saw numerous waterfall thaws and rushing rocky rivers. From Durango in the south to Denver it was one amazing scene to another, driving through rock tunnels, past natural hot springs, into pristine ski resort towns with chalets (like Veil), rushing waters and smooth, green ski runs on the mountains that seemed to reach to heaven. The area is called “White Water Region” so you can imagine the rafting and kayaking we saw in the rivers along the highway.

There were places where barriers are used to close the roads during winter and it seemed that nearly everyone had a 4 wheel drive vehicle or a truck – no wonder!

It was a slow drive for our Westy, getting up those mountain tops, and then sliding down again. Reminded us of how we have felt on this trip when we have hiked up a slope! Poor Rips Joy is out of shape too, and has only been around since 1988! There was road construction and for the first time we had a delay of about an hour. Lots of cars and trucks were pulled off and overheated. We stopped to cool down the engine too and just enjoyed the scenery. Right beside us was one of those snow-melt waterfalls. There is something truly mesmerizing about water.

I have just finished another book, Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen. It is the fascinating story of a man, trained as a veterinarian, and who finds himself in a travelling Circus at the beginning of his career. The story flips back and forth a few times (not so often that you get lost!) from his younger days to his present life in a nursing home. It is a “can’t put it down” kind of read with lots of tragedy and triumph.

As compared to Arizona, Colorado country sure has enough water for elephants!