Hello Colorado – July 2024
Colorado Hi! John Denver, we understand now…
Continued letters, diaries, ideas and experiences from our epic 9th 2024 journey across the USA.
Our arriving in the state of Colorado was nothing short of a transformative experience for all of us. As we made our way into the state via the southern route, we really had no idea of the natural grandeur as well as the welcoming heart embrace from audiences we would experience. We could feel the energy shifting the further north we went into the mountains, as if entering a magical land that was shielding us from the enormous stress and stretch of the big travel we’d been on. An adventure awaited us here, and with it, an opportunity to connect with people and places that have since become part of our story forever.
We started in Durango, a town nestled at the base of the breathtaking San Juan Mountains. As we arrived, we were immediately struck by the town’s beauty and energy. We spent time exploring the area, sharing our music with locals and beginning to get a feeling for the elevation (a whole new thing for us…). The rugged terrain seemed to mirror the deep connection we felt with the land and people we were meeting – it was all very real, genuine and grounded. Durango provided a quiet start to our time in Colorado, an opportunity to acclimate to the higher elevation (coupled with nose bleeds, headaches, dizziness, and moments of oxygen deprived euphoria), as well as a moment reflect on how big the journey across the country had already been…
But then we hit the road, and not just any road… but the famous ‘Million Dollar Highway’. This stretch of U.S. Route 550 was everything we had imagined and more. It’s world famous for its stunning ‘Alps like’ views, treacherous cliffs, and narrow passes. The road felt like the perfect metaphor for our journey so far, filled with unexpected twists and turns, breathtaking moments and the kind of beauty that only those who venture down its path of movement in total trust and faith will ever fully appreciate. Driving through this part of the state, we couldn’t help but feel that the energy of Colorado was aligning with our heart in a deeper, more profound way. As we ventured deeper into the mountains, every turn seemed to connect us to that feeling of ‘the bigger picture’ we are all part of, that deep feeling of connectedness to everything and everyone.
After passing through this initial, extraordinary mountainous terrain and even seeing a mountain lion (yes we actually saw one as we descended one of the most treacherous mountain roads into the canyons of the million dollar highway – it was crossing a man made concrete bridge designed to stop rocks from falling onto this particular part of the highway), we found ourselves in a whole series of amazing places – Longmont, Niwot, Lyons and eventually Boulder. Ah Boulder… we have a whole letter to write about you…! So many beautiful connections, so many beautiful people, places, landscapes. It just went on and on. And even though we’d found ourselves here in the peak of summer, the mountain springs descending from still melting snow peaks high above, provided daily chilli plunges, cooling the core with a warm granite rock to lay upon afterwards (only to plunge again, repeat, repeat, then repeat again until sunfall). Colorado, your depth is special. You’re beautiful and inspiring. ‘Rocky Mountain High’ is a thing.
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