Saturday, June 21- The New Game Plan

I spent yesterday making phone calls back to Denver, sitting on the internet in the Frisco Library, and riding around town on the free local bus.

Here's the new game plan: I am about to get picked up from the condo by Travis and Barbara, who have offered to give me a ride back to Denver. After a quick trip to R.E.I., dinner with friends and a re-evaluation of my gear, I'm going to catch a Greyhound Bus where I will ride to Portland, Oregon, arriving at 5:45 Monday morning. I've always wanted to go to the Pacific Northwest, and I can think of no better time.

Other than what is outlined above, I have no plan. Barbara and Travis reccommended the relaxing Cannon Beach, Oregon, where I can catch a beautiful sunset, and the San Juan Islands where I can explore beautiful forests in the middle of the sea. I've read about the only rainforest in America and the treacherous, rocky ocean fronts of the Olympic Peninsula. The Northern Cascades are filled with wildlife and beautiful scenery, not to mention, the northern tip of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Travis and Barbara are here. Time to roll.

Later that day:

When Travis and Barbara dropped me off in Denver, I started walking across town to the REI. On the Mall Ride, I met two nice, beautiful, young ladies, Elaine (Left) and Pat (Right), who needed help finding Union Station. They were in town from Cincinatti, Ohio for a nephew's wedding, and were taking a break from the family. After showing them the way, they invited me to have lunch with them, their treat, at a resturant of my choice. Truly wonderful women.

Anyhow, I just ate dinner with Mom and Dad out in Aurora, and now I'm on the light-rail headed to my old apartment to see Lindsey. I picked up my re-supply boxes from my parents, as they were going to bring me my box of pre-bought food and supplies on specific dates at certain places when I was out on the Colorado Trail. I'm planning on having Lindsey send them out to me when I'm up in the North-West.

I'm looking out the train window at my last Rocky Mountain sunset for the next three weeks. It's a great view from aboard the light-rail. The Colorado Trail already feels more like a dream than it does a reality. I was expecting it to last for so much longer, so I rushed through the trail too quickly to actually experience it. I never truly smelled that sweet pine, I never honestly tasted that cool, refreshing water from the streams. It's like swallowing a meal whole; no savoring, no tasting; I didn't give myself the chance to 'suck the marrow out of life'. I didn't simmer long enough in the magic of the moment. At least now I know.

It's 7:45 PM. Four hours until I leave for Portland. I'm getting that feeling in my stomach again--that one I get every time before I leave on a trip. I would call it excitement, but that word doesn't seem to be enough.