The last two days have been off the trail, so to speak.
Each time I am in Estes Park, I’m happily reminded how beautiful this little valley is, protected by the mountains that surround it. So Tom and I spent the 14th in town, enjoying the temperate weather and doing a little shopping. We had lunch at Mama Rose’s (recommended), seated outside, within listening distance of the sparkling creek that runs the length of downtown.
Today, by the time we got to Boulder Bookstore, I was a bit overwhelmed. How many bookstores is it possible to patronize in a compressed period of time? Particularly if I admit how many books I’ve bought and not yet read? (If only I didn’t have to sleep…) At least in retirement, I plan to read with impunity.
But back to the Boulder Bookstore … of all the bookstores I’ve enjoyed, Boulder wins. It is even better than the Tattered Cover in Denver. Rambling and pleasantly over-crowded (not with people) over two stories with a voluminous children’s section (always a good sign — there was a time when I aspired to open and operate a children’s bookstore like the one I grew up in), an awesome poetry section and an extensive staff recommendation section (which I appreciate for its selection of old and new publications), I perused for as long as I could. But I only purchased three volumes — I am running out of bookshelf space at home.
We had lunch a few doors down at a place called West Flanders, which is known for its brews, but we chose for its food. By 1:30 pm, we were travelling on route 119 through a claustrophobic canyon, on our way to I-70 via Nederland, Blackhawk and Central City. Nederland used to be a couple of stores and unpaved roads; the casinos in Blackhawk and Central City have infused money and roads into the mountainous area. It was beautiful when we cruised through in May 2016, the mountains still draped in snow. In summer it is no less striking.
Interstate 70 through the mountains is an compelling road any time of year. At times the valleys through which it travels must accommodate a river, a railroad, and a double-decked interstate. By the time we reached Glenwood Canyon, it had all that going on, in addition to gold-ish green cottonwood trees by the river, and the most impressive rock faces on all sides of us. It’s no wonder Glenwood Springs has grown significantly since my brother’s and my visit to this once-charming town in 2012.
Tomorrow we press on to Arches National Park in Utah.
WordShelter.com 