Along The Way

Sue and I headed out to Colorado a few weekends ago, our hope was to see Rona for the last time and to say Goodbye. While we missed seeing her, we take comfort in the fact that she knew we were coming, and was glad we were making the trip.

The trip took on a mini-sisters weekend feel. And along the way there were many (mis) adventures to be had.

The trip started eventfully as I, in the course of making plane reservations for both of us, trying to find the least expensive fare, had not changed my search from Cleveland back to Columbus. So alas, arrive at the airport with tickets from Cleveland to Denver, not from Columbus. An easy enough fix, made for a little wait for Sue. Then there was the storm that wrecked havoc on arrivals. Finally our plane was able to sneak in, fortunately the lighting we saw was just far enough away -- any closer and they close the airport, I head back to Chicago.

The storm did provide us with this rare double rainbow, and fortunately while Sue fumbled in her bag for a camera I had one handy (never know what you need to take a photo for for a blog or twit!) and was able to capture the photo, albeit while racing down the highway! The issue now was we've missed dinner in Glenwood Springs (another 3 hours away) and we're fighting darkness. The car had a GPS (Sue needs to get more technologically savy -- she's not much help as a navigator as she couldn't program, etc!) so we were OK there -- unfortunately it does not help you find a curvy road through the mountains in the dark. No lights, bare reflectors -- needless to say it was an interesting drive and I'm quite sure Sue was glad I was driving! At least she stayed awake the entire way!

Arriving late we were able to stay at Rona's and her roommate -- anticipating our arrival -- was up for us. Sue got Rona's room and double bed, I slept on the couch I had used the summer before. Dale and Rick (a friend of Rona's) got us up bright and early the next morning for a hike.

And not any hike. Rona had had a couple of last requests and we were fortunate to be able to participate in one of them. She wanted Rick to take Dale on an epic hike, to a place most people can't find. Along the way we were treated to the effects of altitude, re-connecting with Dale, and the wonders of a bovine trail through the wilderness.

Hiking with Rick and Dale was a treat -- both naturalists and between the two of them knew every bird, plant, sound, smell -- everything. Fortunately on the smell side Sue's ankle kept her towards the back (if you are wondering about this I encourage you to read this winter's post regarding Sister's Weekend -- you'll understand). Dale was reminded of the great birding in Colorado and spotted many birds for us, following their call until he could find them in his binoculars.

We hiked 2-3 miles along a trail made by the elk and other bovine creatures, seeing signs of wildlife (bear droppings, skulls and leg bones, cougar prints and a quick site of one while in the car, etc) to an amazing overlook. Rick being a hunter has carried 400 pound elk back out of here. Sue and I were content to huff and puff along with our backpacks with water and food. Anything more would have been too much.
And along the way I couldn't help remember how fortunate we were that Dale included us in his special day. Couldn't help think of how much more fun this would have been with Rona there too. Couldn't help think of how much she loved her brother, to wish him this final hike in rememberance of her.

After lunch, a quick clean up, a trip to retreive Rona's ashes from the funeral home we headed back to Rona's for her celebration. Gazing out over her yard, meeting all of her many many friends, watching the slide show of pictures, eating the wealth of food (all donated by the market she started, local companies, and friends) you couldn't help but smile and appreciate a life well lived. Dale, who much like me doesn't care for groups of people, was quite the trooper and handled the whole affair with class and dignity. Along the way some tears were shed, but Rona would have loved the event and ever the planner, probably assured the beautiful blue sky on what was forecasted to be a rainy day.

The forecasted rain came in buckets the next day. It was OK, kind of matched the mood after the previous days celebration. We spent our last day in Colorado with her closest friends at their house, having breakfast, running errands and finally for dinner. We separated in the late afternoon to allow everyone to collect themselves and then Sue and I walked over to their house. Dale and Kelton (their son, a great friends of Rona's, her angel she called him) met us halfway and I begged, despite the rain, for a side hike up to Doc Holliday's grave site. It was a wonderful hike that left us soaked but in good spirits.

With a three hour drive back to Denver it was up early (Sue a bit earlier as she got confused on flight times!) and a quick goodbye to the house Rona had carefully re-constructed, filled with eclectic but highly personal touches, the garden she treasured, and the home she left behind.

Along the way we got to see the beautiful Glenwood Canyons. Sue had missed the view on the way in due to darkness, but the morning sun allowed us a beautiful trip through, cliffs just begging for pictures, and fortunately little traffic so that although I was driving I could continue to take pictures as well! Tracking along the river, through the tunnels, it was a great start to a long trip home.

Unfortunately that was the last of the "great trip home". Sue spotted what looked like a dusting of fresh snow. Billy had mentioned snow, I thought for sure, middle of June, he was just kidding with us. As we approached the first of the two passes we had to cross over to get to Denver we started to see signs this was going to be every bit as dicey as the trip in was. When the signs "Chains required for commercial vehicles" gets lit up -- well you start to reackon you are in a bit of bother.

Along the way we drove through a full fledged snow storm. Vail pass was the worst of it I think, at some point I gave up trying to change lanes to allow those hearty Colorado drivers through, there was just too much snow and mess and changing lanes was a slip sliding adventure I just didn't want to have that day. Up and over, plunging down through the snow and up into the storm again. Near the 2nd pass things started to level out a bit and the rest of the trip to the airport was quite uneventful.

Things were looking good for a quick trip home. Sue scored a direct flight, I had to get through Chicago. A mistake I should have known better, Chicago is always messed up with weather. But thinking I'm off the hook we board our plane and head to the runway. And stop. And wait. And wait. After an hour or so they get us back to the gate. Chicago is closed and they have so much traffic they won't let folks take off, otherwise the number of planes circling gets unmanageable. But of course if you don't take off in the window given, you might not make it. A couple hours later we get a gate. OK you see where this is going. Now it's assured I'll miss my connecting flight -- looks like a night in the airport of Chicago.

But I land and try for another flight to find that my original flight was delayed as well and I'll make it. What noone told me until I tried to board was that for some uncommunicated reason Denver had cancelled my boarding pass (I'm thinking it was because they were sure I wouldn't have made it, of course had they told me that I would have gotten another when I got there and most likely made that flight). Made plans to spend the night at the airport but lucked out and got a 9:30 ish flight (that was delayed until almost 11). Finally home I think 1:00 am or so. Along the way I got alot read, alot of work done, and as many e-mails caught up on as you can do from a phone. After having left Glenwood at 6 or so in the am that was one dreadfully long day.

Which just goes to show you that Along the Way you're never quite sure what stories will pop up! Not bad for a mini-sisters weekend, a trip to say goodbye to Rona and reconnect with Dale and Dianne. Not the reason or way I would chose to go to Colorado but in the end, everything happened just as it was supposed to.