Beneath Pike’s Peak (Day 27)

We left Ignacio this morning, seeing no point in hanging around to see if there would be a space for us tonight at the Casino RV Park, when there were miles to go and so many things to see.  It was a good decision!  After about an hour on the road, I called the Air Force Academy Family Camp (my fingers crossed) and asked if a site might be available for tonight and tomorrow night.  There was a spot and we are now settled in beneath Pike’s Peak.  I’ve been here a number of times, but never to camp.  It has been on my bucket list for the past six years!  Cross it off, Hal!!

Along our way today we saw Chimney Rock, passed by the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and crossed over the San Juan Mountain range, and through La Veta Pass (9,500 elevation) just south of the Sangre De Cristo range.  It was a scenic drive all the way until we reached I-25 and turned north toward Colorado Springs and then it became a bit boring (even at 75 mph).  Interstate travel gets us where we want to go fast—but Interstates do not have the charm of the more scenic roads.

Our campsite here at the AF Academy is a pleasant one.  We are isolated from the other RV’s and surrounded by a beautiful pine forest. It feels like wilderness, even if it isn’t wilderness!  Tomorrow we will take a day off from the road and do the necessary things that need to be done at this point—and rest up as well.

Chimney Rock, Colorado

In my bundle today I carry several people for whom I care deeply.  When trouble, pain, and wounds enter into our lives we tend to feel totally alone.  This “aloneness” lives in most of us, most of the time, as the “great philosopher” Dr. Seuss has told us:

I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too.  Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone

Whether you like it or not, Alone will be something you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.  There are some, down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go though the weather be foul.  On you will go though your enemies prowl.  On you will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl.  Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak.  On and on you will hike.  And I know you’ll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.