Day: August 13, 2015

Ain’t this somethin’? I told my pap and mam I was going to be a mountain man; acted like they was gut-shot. “Make your life go here, son. Here’s where the peoples is.” “Mother Gue”, I says, “the Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world,” and by God, I was right. Keep your nose in the wind and your eye along the skyline. These here is God’s finest sculpturings! And there ain’t no laws for the brave ones! And there ain’t no asylums for the crazy ones! And there ain’t no churches, ‘cept for this right here! And there ain’t no priests excepting the birds. — Del Gue, Jeremiah Johnson

Mike and I first rode along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park when we were in our early thirties. It was spring and we were unprepared for the cold weather that lingered. The road had only recently reopened for tourists. There were dark clouds and a mist hung over the mountains. When we got out of our car to view the majestic peaks the frigid wind cut right through our sea level dwelling bones. We shivered but we were so in awe that we didn’t care that we were freezing. I had never in my life seen anything like the range that spread out in front of me. I was literally overcome with emotion upon seeing it and I felt as though I was truly in God’s cathedral. I would return to this incredible spot again and again.  Continue reading “Trail Ridge Road” →