Reflections with Colorado

For the first time since living on my own, I’ve watched the same trees outside my same window come full circle. I moved in last fall, when the leaves gave the autumn air a crisp scent. I watched them naked in the dull of winter, blossom in the promises of spring, and flourish in the heat of summer. And now, they’re turning back to their same warm burns of fall color. This may not seem like a big deal to many, but to me it felt like a really pivotal moment. Since graduating college, as most already know, I was basically always living out of a suitcase, experiencing the world, always somewhere new.

Growing up, Bill always told me the best thing about life was choices. He also always told me that the hardest part about life, is choices. Now in my mid 20’s, having learned so much but still having so far to go, I find myself reflecting on this lesson often. I’m grateful for the choices I’ve made, even those that may appear to have been “bad”, because in the long run it got me to where I am now.

Occasionally I do miss aspects of the nomadic lifestyle. But I also keep in mind the many reasons I transitioned into my more rooted routine. I haven’t lost my passion for traveling, but I do feel like these last few months I’ve been seeing life from third person. It’s easy how quickly the pace of a corporate job can cause people to turn to autopilot.

As I’m writing this, I’m car camping in the Uncompahgre mountains in Colorado. A lightning storm is lighting up the sky of the valley I’m overlooking. Here are just a pocket of memories from this trip I hope I never forget:

• The first night camping on The Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world, I was dozing to sleep when something hit the vehicle. Startled, I looked out my window to see about a dozen curious cows looking at the Jeep. They scratched their heads on the front bumper and licked the headlights for a few minutes before being on their way.

• Driving up Independance Pass, overlooking Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado. The stunning 360 views, no photo could capture the depth of Colorado peaks.

• The herd of elk that took me by surprise after eating lunch in Rocky Mountain National Park. Turning around, a silent herd of dozens of elk were strolling by, and had I not turned around I’d had no idea.

• The wave of emotions when I watched the alpine glow on the mountain tops while driving Trail Ridge Road.

• The joy of spotting a yellow bellied marmot. Even if it is the one thousand six hundred and seventh one I’ve spotted.

• The difficult breathes in between bites of pb&j while on top of Pikes Peak. The fact you can drive above 14,000 feet is insane- and actually takes your breath away.

Let this be a reminder to myself, and anyone else who needs to hear it, not to stop doing what you love. Life can be fleeting, and I hope on days I reminisce, I remember times like these, because how you live each day, is how you end up living your whole life.

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