Riding off into the Sunset. Ouch that hurts.

Into the sunset I see Pikes Peak

When last I reported I was heading west into the sunset.  Blinding sunset as it was right on the horizon in my eyes.  As I crossed from Kansas into Colorado a huge mountain appeared on the horizon.  I later discovered that was likely Pikes Peak.  It is probably the first mountain of the Rockie formation that was renamed after the explorer Zebulon Pike Jr..  He never ascended to the summit and declared it would never be climbed. Ha!  I rode up on my Harley and the record ascent is a little over 9 minutes in a race car.

My faithful Garmin GPS guided me to my friends house. Dan has travelled a similar path that I am on.  With the perfect family life now just a vapor; I approach my friends house squinting at the numbers until he came out to give my a big western America hug and greeting.  I have not seen Dan since about 1987.  We have both changed, but I like to think I have not changed as much as everyone else.  I enter the atypical American living room of a house built 100 years ago.  Now I am greeted by numerous children and one spouse.  Names are flashed into my brain filing cabinet only to slip out. The next few days I will be asking everyone to remind me of their name.  I think I still only remember only half of the 7 names handed out.  I do remember the two doggies names though. Not sure why.

View from School

My first night in Colorado was very comfortable.  The next day I was spending time with Dan and we went out to have lunch with his Son and Daughter. This tradition is admirable and will likely pay great dividends later as the children have had time to connect with their loving dad.  I need to file this activity in my "to-do" list for when I get home.

The day was filled with discussions about extended families, God's love and plan for our life.  Dan was truly a help to me at this time.