Laying Down Tracks

The first day of our Colorado Road Trip was a bit hectic - we were fresh outta the gate and vacation-ready. First, I brought Gins to my favorite breakfast place in Colorado, the Country Road Cafe in Kittridge. They've got an entire section of breakfast items that are built around mashed potatoes. Their green chilies and poblano sauce are delectable. Plus, they are incredibly nice and very fast. The only trick is - get there early or be prepared to wait 'cause the word is OUT.

We stocked up on calories and I took Gins by the barn to meet my horse friends. I brought carrots for everyone, as expected, and then we hit the road. Heading west on Hwy 70, it didn't take long for us to hit traffic. There's something about not having a commute that makes me forget about this concept entirely. I used to be accustomed to it but nowadays, I'm surprised every damn time. 'Whaa ... wait .. who are all these people and why are they vacationing in August???? C'MON, PEOPLE, HAVEN'T YOU SEEN THE PRICE OF GAS???? Stay home already! Sheesh!'

Eventually, we made it to Georgetown, a quaint historical village and the favorite pee stop for all skiers headed to higher ground. I've longed to take the Georgetown Loop Railroad and finally, it's done.

I'm totally nuts about trains; it stems from my dad (he's crazy for 'em too), Johnny Cash (same deal) and just their general loud, steely sexiness. They infer adventures in places unknown and conjure a time when our country was young. The sound of a train whistle ... my god, there is nothing better! Anyone who has heard my cell phone ring knows my feelings on this matter.

As far as train rides go, it was ... well, okay. I thought it was going to be an 1.5-hour trip but it was actually far less. We rode in an open box car and it chugged us up to the little town of Silver Plume, where we were herded into a gift shop. Blech. I opted to avoid it and instead checked out the nearby train garage where old locomotives were being worked on by earnest folks wearing greasy bib overalls. This one to the right is circa 1928. Man, it was cool.

I also got to chat up our incredibly handsome conductor, Steve, a man who clearly loves his job. When the train had initially pulled into the station, he was waving wildly with the biggest grin. I said to Gins, "I mean, how many times a day does he have to do that?" All the little kids (and me) waved right back. He was totally sincere in his joy, giving him the distinct glow of someone who has met their destiny. Here he is standing in front of an old steam train, circa 1885-ish. He even picked up on my excitement and assured me I could probably get a job in the greasy garage, which would be so fun ... the first day or so and then I'd want to go fast in something big and loud.

Best things about the ride were the beautiful train itself, Steve, the scenery and the fact that they played Johnny Cash songs up and back. Otherwise, it was just too damn short.

Later in the trip, I discovered my next train goal - the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. All in due time ....

WHOOOOOOT!!!! WHOOOOOOOOT!!!

As the Day Approaches ...

I took this shot from the Obama Campaign HQ in Denver on Tuesday evening. The view looks peaceful but I can assure you, the scene behind me was not. People are dog tired and overworked. I innocently asked one staffer if they had any Obama buttons left - something to ID me when I knock on doors. She just looked at me and started laughing in this strange maniacal manner. It was kinda scary. She just kept laughing until a few tears came. She walked away, still laughing. This is what sleep deprivation does when met with naive questions.

I spent part of my evening going door-to-door asking people who they might vote for in November and if they would like to sign up to receive mail-in ballots. I have not rang stranger-doorbells since I was a wee Camp Fire Girl, asking if folks wanted to buy P-Nuttles or Almond Rocha. Of course, I was much cuter then and greeted with less skepticism. People were mostly nice though there was one dog who humped my leg right outta the yard - that was a close one.

With my task completed earlier than planned, I found a bleary-eyed (they are ALL that way) campaign staffer named Will Bowling and asked what else they needed. "How do you feel about phone banking?" He then handed me somebody's cell phone (someone from North Carolina, evidently) and a list of phone numbers. He sent me off into the buzzing room full of people on phones - some sitting at desks and tables, some on the floor - all very, very focused.

I found enough space on a dirty corner couch and started dialing. What an education! Amazingly, every person I spoke to was gracious - not one rude person. I did get one guy who just wanted to talk and kept me on the phone by declaring his indecision. I finally had to cut him off when he began giving his opinions on cars, air quality, women and bread.

Another woman, after answering my questions politely, ("Who are you going to vote for? Are you going to the convention? What issues matter most to you? Do you want me to sign you up to receive a mail-in ballot?") said, "So, now comes the part where you ask me for a donation, right?"

She caught me off guard. I then threw her for a loop when I said, "Um, no. Not today!"

I talked to a bunch of folks who were undecided, especially Hillary supporters who are still clinging to a dream that Hillary herself has let go of. This I do not understand and this is why the Dems always end up shooting themselves in the foot during a race. From what I can tell, Hillary is doing her best to mesh her flock with Obama's but there are many, many stragglers. I hope they come around before November or will be up Shit Creek ... again.

The words of Eddie Izzard, who I recently saw perform, keep ringing in my ears:

"Okay, people now PLEASE don't fuck it up this time, eh? Vote the right way and then, drive to Florida and vote again, okay? PLEASE!"

Amen to that.

I've Returned the Wiser

After nine days of being offline, this morning I plugged in again. I have to say, it was liberating to be concerned with bugs ... real ones, not the software kind.

My eyes have gorged themselves on unbelievable scenery and I've only begun to download the eight gazillion photos that I took but hey, all in good time. (The shot above is in Georgetown, off Hwy 70. We turned a corner and Gins wisecracked, "Hmmmm. I wonder when that was built?")

I'll say one thing for sure, Colorado is even more beautiful than I'd imagined. I wish I had a tank of gas for every time I uttered, "Whoa" or "Wow!" when trying to take it all in. The folks of this state have a great history to be proud of - early Coloradans were tough as nails and still are; they have a great mesh of Midwestern friendliness mixed with this mountain man survivor mentality that is quite admirable.

Gins and I were so lucky to have had this adventure and she is about the best traveling buddy that one can hope for. However, we are clearly The Odd Couple with me in the Oscar Madison role. At one point she looked at me, disgusted, "Is that refried bean in your hair?" Hey, at least I'm a good driver, right?

I'll have to parcel out this trip in digestible post chunks, which will come eventually. I'll try to lead an uneventful life until then.

***

Whoops. No luck.

Tonight, for the first time in my life, I went door-to-door for a campaign. It was on behalf of Obama but the goal was to register folks for a mail-in ballot since we all know how reliable hanging chads can be. Just the word 'Florida' still gives me nightmares.

I paired up with a tall dude named Darryl and, armed with forms at the ready, we rang doorbells. We both learned a lot. There are still Hillary supporters in denial, folks who don't want to talk about who they are voting for and one old woman who hadn't voted in 15 years. "I'll just leave it up to you people," meaning us young folk.

We met a lot of people who would rather physically walk into a voting booth on November 4 and I don't blame them. I prefer it myself - the sense of community and the spectacle of Something Important going on. Still, I convinced a couple of folks to change their minds so I guess that was worth it. Darryl and I will hit the streets again tomorrow.

One woman, who had an Obama sign in her window, thanked us and requested that we "keep him safe for us." I promised her we would though I have no idea how to go about that. I can tell you that after visiting the Obama HQ here in Denver, there's A LOT of people who have given up any semblance of a normal life to make sure he gets to the White House - what a scene! Lots of exhausted people and pizza boxes. It looked like a tech start-up but more over-40 types and less foosball.

Darryl and I eventually decided that instead of knocking on doors, we should go where the people congregate so we headed to the Denver institution, Bonnie Brae Ice Cream Store, where there is always a long line out in the street. We pulled up and recognized two other Obama volunteers we'd met earlier. We chided them for 'stealing' our idea and the guy says, "No, actually, we're done with our campaign shift. My parents own this place. Do you guys want some free ice cream?"

So far, campaign work is very revealing and incredibly yummy.

Happy Colorado Day!

'Twas a mere 132 years ago that my new state became a new state and an official part of that newfangled country called The U S of A. So, what better way to celebrate than to pick up my best buddy from DIA and plot our week-long road trip around Colorado?

Gins and I have been planning this since January and amazingly, the day has finally arrived. We're going to head west on I-70 and than make a big loop - down to Durango and over to the Sand Dunes NP. Our first tourist function will be to ride the famous Georgetown Loop Railroad - something I've been wanting to do since I got here. And our first night will be spent in a yurt, atop a local peak called New York Mountain (elev: 11,200) just outside of Eagle. I can hardly wait!

We're going to be stopping in Montrose to visit the Colorado Yurt Company. Why? Because I've got QUESTIONS. Loads of 'em. Namely, can you get an Internet hook-up in a yurt? Where do you pee? Such are my concerns about yurt living. The more overpriced McMansions I see, the more I like the idea of scaling down. Most people think I am nuts, with the exception of Eric Shively, who I also hope to visit along the way.

I have no plans to take my computer along (Kath, I can hear you gasp from here!) so there will be no blog posting unless the Internet happens to cross my path by divine order. However, I am woefully behind on my guitar practicing so that will be the priority during downtime. I may even bring along my much-neglected travel journal and put a pen to paper - like they did back in olden times.

Colorado Fun Facts:

The cheeseburger was invented in Denver in 1935.

The highest paved road in North America is the Road to Mt. Evans off of I-70 from Idaho Springs. The Road climbs up to 14,258 Ft. above sea level.

Colorado means “colored red” and is known as the “Centennial State.”

Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America.

Katherine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.

The World's First Rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail.

Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.

For some bizarre reason, Colorado boasts the highest number of certified scuba divers than any other state.

Year after year, Colorado is determined to be America's leanest state. (Hence, my new running habit.)


So... get out there and explore your own backyard - adventures await! See ya'll in a week!

Friends 2.0

When it comes to friends, I am a rich, rich woman - the Bill Gates of compadres. I've always gratefully accepted this bounty but this weekend has brought a wonderful new revelation - a concept I hadn't fully grasped before.

Beyond the interest on my 401K, the passage have time has brought forth another great perk: My friends have gotten together and spawned a whole new generation of people that I REALLY dig. For years, my friends' kids have often been just cute short people whose faces I saw in Christmas card photographs. Lately, however, I've been getting to know them as people and they are a friggin' blast. They are also LOUD but hey - that's what happens when you're fairly new to Earth and have a lot to say.

The kids pictured above are a perfect example. (This photograph was taken around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday night, mere minutes before we went and toiletpapered somebody's house.) I have been pals with their moms since high school - together we have endured love, loss, run-ins with the law and lots of sisterly support.

Daughter of my wonderful pal, Debbie, Hannah is the blondie on the left. With her own modeling portfolio and three older brothers - she is both tough and beautiful. (You can find her on doll packages at a store near you, though she is since 'retired.') Nathan (in blue) and Tanner (with arm outstretched) are two of those brothers, whose main job is to "make sure no one kisses or harasses Hannah." Nathan is an actor and comedian in training and has inherited his father's great skill; Dad Greg is one of the funniest people I know - and I know A LOT.

Meanwhile, Tanner is already a rugged individual. He'll be one of those guys that either flies his own bush plane over the Alaskan wilderness, runs his own surf shop in Mexico or quietly becomes a powerful business tycoon. Whatever he does, he'll be independently content cuz that's his vibe.

Daughter of Andrea, Samantha is on the right and she was one of my very first friends in this generation. (Here we are again, in a parking lot fashion shoot in Santa Monica.) We have been in Wild West shows together and once loitered together for three days at petting zoo. Some of you may have seen me sporting the famous cowhide purse? Well, it was Samantha who picked it out. I'll carry it until it wears out or until PETA finds out and rips it off my shoulder - whichever comes first.

Sam is 14 and like her mother, doesn't mind telling you off in one breath and then laughing at herself in the next - a very lovable combination. Also like her mother, she is fierce, stunning and fearsome on the volleyball court. Both she and Hannah are the peak of their "OMG!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!" take on the world which is hilarious when I realize that I used to be exactly like them. It's hard knowing all there is to know at 14 - it all goes down from there.

Another "kid" that I saw this weekend is, amazingly, no longer a kid at all but a real man.

When I first met Aaron, he was just two years old and very short. Now he is 22 and much taller. He is the "Mr. Son" of my dear friend, Heidi, whose birthday we celebrated this weekend. Because he is Heidi's son, he was raised without television and tons of real-life adventures which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that he is one of the kindest, gentlest deep thinkers I know. Aaron just graduated from UCLA with a degree in history, minoring in Art History. He is very zen and quite accustomed to bending down to hug people like me, who adore him.

This here is the daughter of my pal, Kathleen, who I've known since First Grade or so. Technically, her name is Emma but I know her simply as Gumdrop or, in cases of supergreatcoolness, "The Mighty Gumdrop."

She has a great brother too, named Devin (see below) - I used to call him "The Little Prince" but he needs an updated name that pinpoints his inherent studly coolness. I fully expect to see Devin on the cover of a Wheaties box someday, winning the World Cup for the U.S. I didn't actually see either of these kids this weekend but I came across these photos while penning this post and thought I'd throw 'em in the mix because I consider them friends as well, even if they don't know it yet. (Also, Gumdrop has a brilliant business plan - I'm hoping she loops me in at some point as an investor... it pays to remind her how far back we go. Business politics and all that - wink!)

There are ton more 2.0 kids I could mention here and eventually will, as the friendships grow and the adventures continue ... I'm happy to be that 'crazy Aunt' person who will give it to 'em straight and take their advice on what it means to be cool, once again, because I have surely forgotten.

To all my friends: Thanks! Now, go make more!

RIP Randy Pausch

The good-humored and incredibly brave soul of Randy Pausch passed away today at the hands of that hateful bastard, pancreatic cancer.

Randy was the Carnegie Mellon professor whose "last lecture" became a huge Internet phenomenon and became a best-selling book. I've read so much about this guy and was constantly amazed at how he stoically dealt with the horrible news that his cancer would soon take his life, leaving his wife a widow and his three young children without a father.

His reaction was to have as much fun as possible and pass along whatever gems of wisdom he had acquired in 47 years of life on Earth. So when the opportunity came, he shared as much we could handle. I read every interview I could get my hands on and marveled at how a man could summon the courage to say goodbye his family and still take the time to share with strangers his gifted insight.

I just kept thinking, "This is not a marketing stunt. There is no ulterior motive here. This guy is really going to die." Today, that horrible fact is driven home by Randy's passing.

Thankfully, he left with some fantastic advice in his lecture, "How To Achieve Your Childhood Dreams" in which he infuses humor, some push-ups and very sage advice:

"The brick walls are there for a reason ... to show us how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people."

Thanks so much, Randy. We wish you could have stayed longer.

Quote for the Day

I came across this quote today and I am quite fond of it:

“The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser—in case you thought optimism was dead.”

—Robert Brault, some guy

Off to LA!

Shocking news: I have to get on a plane again. I'm leaving in a few minutes for yet another flight - this time to Los Angeles, home of my birth. The point? To visit Mama Iva and attend the 50th birthday party of my dear friend, Heidi.

Let's hope I don't lose anything this time.