Awe-Inspiring and Stunningly Beautiful

That's Utah and Colorado... My decision to travel by car has been a good one - I'm enjoying the freedom to wander at will, and am finding the most wonderful places to visit. The first couple of days were uneventful - driving about 700 miles east, just revelling in the luxury of my upgraded car (the rental company had no economy jobs left at my pickup time; I had to wait an hour, so they compensated me with a Pontiac G6 at economy price, and gave me an extra 10% discount plus an energy bar!) and a radio, auto transmission and air con. My road trip was underway! My first real stop was in a small town just east of Las Vegas. I hadn't bothered to stop in Las Vegas as I'd been there before, and anyway I got lost (again), so decided to carry on. I stayed for the night in a small town called Mesquite, in Nevada. I found a hotel with a casino attached - or was it a casino with a hotel attached? They rent the rooms at a very cheap rate, hoping you'll spend lots at the tables and gaming machines. WRONG! I just took advantage of the cheap drinks, swam in the pool, and enjoyed a luxurious night. Then on the next day to Zion National Park in Utah. The temperature now was over 100 degrees, but I decided to do a hike in the park up the Emerald Pools trail - a rocky walk to three waterfalls at varying heights - I had a lovely paddle in the top one. I was really exhilarated - wanted to blog instantly as I walked, to share with you all the sheer excitement I was feeling. The scenery is breath-taking - sheer walls of rock-face, with the Virgin River meandering between. I felt so good - exercise, hot sunshine, truly awesome scenery plus ice-cream (eventually!). All this followed by a trip to the theatre (only just made it - had forgotten to adjust my watch for 'mountain time') to watch 3 guys playing cowboy songs. An experience, is all I'm saying about that!
I travelled on to Bryce Canyon (pic 1), still in Utah - very different, but equally inspiring - not really a canyon, more an amphitheatre filled with rock formations call 'hoodoos' - huge columns of rock. I did a hike labelled 'strenuous' - 'steep grades with multiple elevation changes' - i.e. lots of ups and downs, but done in zig-zags, so manageable. Very hot, though, and high elevation, so literally breath-taking. A photo opportunity around every corner. I could bore you all for DAYS with a slide-show! It was a perfect day, topped off by the news from home that #1 son (ok, only son) Alex is now a BSc(Hons) with a 2:1 in Professional Broadcasting Techniques. Congratulations Al - I'm a very proud mum, and had to tell someone, so told a complete stranger, who immediately hugged me!
The driving in Utah is wonderful - I chose the scenic route, and it certainly lives up to its name. My next stop was at Arches National Park (you guessed, pic 2) - more formations as described in the name. I did several small walks here rather than one 'biggie' - was feeling a bit tired and overheated, so decided to take the easy trails for once.
Having thought at Zion that I'd never want to leave Utah and the Canyonlands, I was now a bit 'canyoned out', and ready to move on. So I drove to Colorado, and the surroundings changed from the huge rocky mountains, past huge plains, to greener fields. At this point I was stuck in my first traffic jam - caused by a combination of roadworks and a spilled load. We were stationary for nearly an hour, with the temperature at 85. Unaccustomed as I am to such situations, I didn't know whether I should leave the engine running for the a/c, or just the ignition, or just sweat it out... But eventually we got going again and an array of snow-capped mountains appeared before me.
I drove into Crested Butte, a ski village in winter and a hiking and biking centre in summer; that's where I am now. The mountains remind me of Austria - they are really beautiful. I took a shuttle bus yesterday into a small village 3 miles further on, called Mt Crested Butte. There I jumped onto a chair lift and travelled up almost to the top of the mountain - 12,000ft elevation. It was chilly enough for me to don my 'hoodie' for a while as I walked gently down a ski slope (pic 3) - now a gravel path, pausing frequently to drink water, take photos, gasp at the view, chat to fellow hikers and avoid the bikes. This weekend is 'fat tire (sic) weekend' - the mountain was teeming with downhill mountain bike racers. They come past you with no warning - it's quite scary at times. They also have to go over some jumps - I saw some come a-cropper, but no serious injuries, fortunately. In my usual fashion I got lost at one point and had to retrace my steps uphill. This made me realise why I'd been advised to get the chairlift up and walk down - uphill was hard work in the altitude, and I eventually decided, discretion being the better part of valour, and as I was running short of water (4 bottles consumed), to take the easy way - and leapt onto a passing chairlift going down.
So, in the past week - has it really been only a week? - I have enjoyed wonderful driving, breath-taking views, great exercise and luxurious accommodation. Last night I decided, having done some sums, that I must revert to hostel lodgings. My luck held - the hostel here is very pleasant, and I had my 4-bed dorm to myself. A single for the price of a dorm, with the bonus of people to chat to in the lounge - I had breakfast with a couple of teachers from Kansas City; very interesting to compare lifestyles. They showed me the paintings she had done yesterday after visiting the mountains. Such a personal reminder, as compared with my photos which don't quite capture the majesty of it all...
So, if you ever come to the West Coast of the USA, I urge you not to miss southern Utah and Colorado. I have been amazed and delighted at everything - to think I only came here for the fast food, and I haven't even mentioned it! Hoorah for American breakfasts, bottomless drinks, iced water, clam chowder and salad with croutons and blue cheese dressing!
Heading east again tomorrow to Leadville - 2 miles high, I'm told - guess that's more snow and sunshine - sigh, how shall I cope?! Cheers for now!

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