Colorado 2023 - Day 1

Photo by: Tim Bindner

Day 1: 6.13.23

Marcie and I woke early and finished up packing the minor items for our trip. We turned up the AC to 80 degrees, locked the doors, turned off the lights, and packed phone chargers, snacks, and daily items like toothbrushes and deodorant.

I loaded up the car with two suitcases, one backpack with my camera gear, one sling bag for Marcie, and her purse. We had stopped the mail, and the neighbor was watering our garden for us and watching the house. We would have to make memories. Our day began in Lanesville, Indiana.

First stop was A Nice Restaurant (yes, that is what it is called). Marcie ordered biscuits and sausage gravy. I ordered eggs (scrambled), bacon (crisp) and biscuit and gravy. I finished mine and what Marcie had left of hers.

As we were waiting for the check, we had been watching a service dog and her master sit at the table close to us. The owner of the dog finished eating and gave the check and his debit/credit card to the dog, who walked it over to the server at the register (in her mouth). All eyes were on the server as they handed back the card and receipt. The dog then returned it to their owner before returning to their blanket. Oh, it’s not over.

He went to the restroom then came back and said watch this as everyone was looking. He stood up. Took his napkin and scrunched it into a ball and threw it on the floor. His dog got up, picked it up and took it over and placed it in the trash. She then went and got her blanket and took it to him, scooted the chair she was laying under back into place, handed her leash to him, and then took a bow for everyone. Laughter and applause filled the air.

We drove from there to the airport, arriving at 9:25am. We checked two bags, got our boarding passes (paper, yes, I’m old), then headed toward TSA. The line was not too bad, and we were at our gate by 9:45am. Our flight was to depart at 12:06pm, so we sat and waited.

Each minute that went by, I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve night. I was so looking forward to this trip. Marcie was too. Frankly, we both needed it.

Wheels up at 12:27pm, and a few hours later we arrived in Denver. We got our bags, caught a shuttle to the rental car agency and picked a Nissan Rogue Sport (orange). Loaded up, we drove towards our destination and home for the week. Nathrop, Colorado.

57.4 miles from where we left the airport in Denver, we stopped and ate. For dinner, Snowpack Taproom, in Conifer, Colorado, where we enjoyed a Detroit Style pepperoni pizza and two ice waters. The pizza was delicious, and the place was very accommodating.

We continued to drive 86.5 miles down Highway 285 toward our home, away from home. The GPS took us the quickest route. A two-lane highway that ran us through small hills, by large rocks, past creeks and fields with horses, sheep, and cows. The mountains grew large as we approached. We eventually arrived in the town of Nathrop. Population 288.

At our Airbnb, then made our way upstairs to unpack. The home was beautiful, but nothing beat the views. Outside the kitchen and from the front porch, I saw Collegiate Peaks. Turning my head slightly to the right, I was face to face with Mount Princeton. I was at the base of a 14,196 feet tall giant with a snow covered top. This will be my view for the next few days. Some days it was foggy, other sunshine, and others (and my favorite) misty and transparent. There were days when these mountains touched the sky and others where the tops disappeared above the clouds.

To stock up on provisions, we went to City Market in Buena Vista, CO. Apparently, the store is part of Kroger because I entered my phone number and got a discount. Typical stuff. Water, snacks, things for breakfast, then back to our temporary home.

We were 2 hours behind our current time, so we settled in and planned our next day’s adventure. Tomorrow might be my favorite day of the entire trip. More to come. Below is our route via Google from the airport to ‘home’.

Links to places I referenced below.

Until next time,

Tim

Nathrop, CO – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathrop,_Colorado

Mount Princeton – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Princeton

Nissan Rogue Sport – https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/build-price?models=rogue-sport&color=orange