Welcome to the High Country

The miles of open road between DeKalb, IL and Meeker, CO were host to my little car as I drove across the Great Plains and over the Great Divide. I had loaded up my vehicle with the necessities I would need for the summer and set my sights for the High Country. I had beautiful weather as my companion and time on my side. I was in no rush since I had the entire Memorial Day weekend to reach my destination. I had an 18 hour drive and I was intending to make the best of it. Passing through the open stretches of the heartland gave me plenty of time for reflection. Gazing at the roads and pastures my thoughts focused on the new surroundings and people I would meet. I wondered how well I would adjust to a new setting with zero friends and family. Transitioning is never easy, but fortunately I have a knack for meeting new folk and warming up to strangers. I knew that with my demeanor and attitude it wouldn’t take long for me to feel comfortable with my new home. What I didn’t expect was to feel like I was at home in new place within the first week.

My purpose for moving to Colorado for the summer was to work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a Hydrologic Technician. I had taken the summer internship for experience, college credit, and to spend a summer in the Mecca of ultrarunning, the High Country. I had envisioned a landscape like I had seen so much in magazines, youtube videos, and on my favorite website TrailPorn.com. I pictured snowcapped mountains, dusty trails, hills for miles, and the sky that would welcome me with all the colors of nature. The morning I was driving across the border of Colorado I had a golden sunrise and I let out a squeal of joy as I saw the sign that said “Welcome to Colorful Colorado.” I sure felt welcome after seeing that sign knowing I was one mile closer to the mountains I would call home.

A few hours later while driving I got a surge of excitement as I saw the formation of mountains. I blinked hard and looked closer into the distance. Far ahead of the highway I saw the white silhouette that I believed were mountaintops. I couldn’t believe how high into the sky they were reaching. I wanted to believe that I was really looking at mountains so I looked harder. As I scanned the surroundings I realized it was just a cloud formation and not real mountains. I patiently put my giddy nerves back inside to wait for the right moment. I had grown accustomed to running out in the Midwestern country roads and fantasizing that the clouds in the distant horizon were mountains. It felt silly but also made me smile when I would visualize running with an enormous mountain as my background. Mountain shaped clouds became good friends of mine on many runs in Corn Country. It wasn’t long until I blinked hard again and this time the mountains didn’t move. The emotions flooded me as they leaked out of my eyes with my mouth wide open and my breathing momentarily paused. I felt overjoyed and so at peace knowing this moment was exactly what I had been waiting for. It felt like when you see your favorite band perform for the first time or when you take the first step into your favorite amusement park. A sense of euphoria washed over me and I still had five more hours to go until I reached my destination.

The false cloud mountains

The real mountains

I stopped in Boulder to refuel my car and my appetite. I had a pleasant conversation with the gas attendant and also with a fellow patron at a small eatery and pub called Avery Brewing Company. Spending only about an hour there I immediately wanted to end my journey and begin to settle in. The short interactions I had immediately warmed me to this city but I had to reluctantly continue my journey to Meeker. As I left the Front Range I was still all smiles knowing I had many new people and adventures to meet. Having the mountains surround me made me feel small and humble. Having nature stare down at you can bring about a connection we seldom acknowledge. We are as much a part of nature as anything else. The human mind easily forgets this relationship as we are inundated with technology and countless activities that vie for our attention away from nature. I welcomed this feeling and drove further into the mountains.

As I exited the Eisenhower Tunnel, the longest mountain tunnel in the world, I was abruptly greeted by whiteout conditions. I had entered the tunnel with rain coming down and on the other side it was coming down as sleet and snow. The cars in front of me slowed down and I followed their lead. The weather didn’t let up and for the next hour I drove through a blizzard occurring at the end of May. Apparently this is common until mid June in this region. It was at this point when I began to realize I should have packed more cold weather clothes.  Blizzards and cold weather did not dampen my spirit. I drove on and eventually left the snow and entered the canyons. I snaked my way along the Colorado River on the highway that mimicked its path. I had a hard time not staring at the many river features and characteristics I had studied about in my classes. It was like a textbook come alive. Then I was distracted by an Amtrak train which raced along the other side of the river. Of course I won but I couldn’t help imagine what scenic views that train ride must offer. 

Blizzard in the High Country

Racing the Amtrak

My drive continued with light rain and cloudy skies. I had fantastic views of mountains in all directions and I knew I would be arriving to my destination soon. I saw the exit for Meeker and gladly got off the highway. It was still another hour until I eventually arrived at my new place for the next 3 months. I was greeted by my host and quickly unpacked while eagerly asking many questions about the area. I wanted to be settled in quickly and start exploring the mountains. Fortunately, I would do just that. I met so many people and all were welcoming and friendly. With some of these different people I managed to go hiking and feel the altitude, mountain bike over the most technical trail of my life at 7,000 feet, run that same trail twice, see some amazing views my work has to offer, and also managed to attempt a 14er (a mountain that reaches at least 14,000 feet above sea level) all during my first week in Colorado. I have never truly felt more at home in a place I never knew. I can also tell you that while climbing the Mount of the Holy Cross (a 14er) I received the best welcome of all. I was hiking near the summit where it was very steep and I quickly winded myself in the thin air at about 13,000 feet. I was struggling to breathe so I plopped face down on a small patch of alpine grass and breathed heavily into the ground. I felt my chest rise and fall as I took deep breaths while entranced with the views. I noticed the warmth from the sun drenched grass hugging me and making me feel better. If anyone could see me it looked like I was just laid out on a mountain but to me it felt like nature was embracing me and whispering, “Welcome home.”

Work site

 

 

Work site #2

Non-work site