Cuba to Denver

Day 33 Photo Album

October 5, 2009

The time for moving on came today. It is comforting to be in this quiet space just spending time with my brother. My journey was through the scenic route across the Santa Fe National Forest, the Carson National Forest, Taos, and the Santa Fe Trail to Interstate 25 around Raton, New Mexico. New Mexico Routes 96, 84, 68 and 64. Leaving around 7:30 a.m. the light was reddish gold across the canyons and mountains causing many stops to take pictures and enjoy the fresh air.

The landscape is constantly changing from scrubby flat land to forested mountains with startling colors of white and red poking out of nowhere along the mountains. Every turn brings something spectacular to see. Near Coyote a Matterhorn-type peak reaches into the sky, breaking the flat mesas that predominate. On a previous drive along this route with my brother, we caught the sun right behind the peak, sending out streaks of light. Today I was much later yet it was still striking.

At Abiquiu I found a lake and a dam. Here the earth is deep red and canyons reach out to the northwest. The road follows along a river through towns that seem ideal: leafy trees turning gold along the river with deep green grass or crops growing between mesas dotted with spruce, pine, juniper, and the like. A bit of both worlds.

Turning towards Taos the land stretches flat out to butt up against higher mountains. Running straight through this flat area is the Rio Grande Gorge. It looks like the earth has split open and pulled apart in the form of a lightening bolt. Off to the distance you can see Taos settled at the base of the mountains. Taos is a college town, tourist town, ski town and seems a lively place to be. I ventured just a short distance into it for much needed coffee.

Beyond Taos the road winds away into more canyons. The forests all along this area are much used by campers and those seeking beauty in the forest. One sign I read said something like: “Our forests and canyons are very beautiful! Take your time to enjoy them!” I’m not sure if that was a clever way of trying to get people to slow down or just a state of mind. I certainly haven’t seen one like it before.

Around Eagle Nest Lake it starts to hint at the prairie ahead in eastern Colorado. Great open spaces with little vegetation rise up to pointed hills and the wind roars through.

Once out on the interstate, it’s wide open country with rumbling mountains far off to the left. A few cattle graze and in the southern part of Colorado I saw a few antelope grazing as well. Really. I did. I was where the deer and the antelope roam.

The wind was furious. Roaring from the west. It seems that wherever I drive the wind is coming at my left side.

Taking a good long rest in Colorado City I plunged on and made it to my father's house by 7:30 p.m. It seemed very strange to arrive in my own car to a place I’ve come so often.

The temperature has dropped down to the 40’s and rain was falling. It seems that cold has decided to hang itself around everywhere now.