The Beginning

Wow! I made to Colorado in one piece. The journey was amazing and I managed to do it in 24 hours total. I slept in Sterling, CO for 6 hours which was…interesting to say the least. I was really tired and it was going on 2 am so, I had to stop. So, I parked my car at a Phillips 66 which was the least shady of all my choices. There was a creepy motel with a rusted sign and no cars even near it, or I could have slept near which appeared to be an abandoned house. I took my chances. The only real danger was that there was a prison about ¼ mile down the road and all the signs said: CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: DO NOT PICK UP HITCHIKERS. Needless to say, I got my blanket, some wool socks, and my hatchet out of my trunk and snuggled up for the night. I woke up around 8 (I forget it if was WI or Mountain Time). I realized thatt not more than 50 ft from where I wasthere were two litle shacks that look like the home of serial killers... so, continued on my way.

The mountains are awe-inspiring this time of year because a lot of them still have snow on them. My car wasn’t doing too good around Denver because the insane altitude. I couldn’t go faster than 55 mph because my engine just isn’t made for that terrain. Nevertheless, I changed its name to TONTO because it’s really a beast after this trip and needs a killer name.

I got to Avon around 11 am and let me tell you its absolutely gorgeous!!! I moved all my stuff unpacked into my KILLER apartment. Then, I went to the market to get the essentials. Carol (who is from Oregon but spent the last year in Australia and has a funny Oregon/Australian accent) called me and wanted to see if I wanted to hang out so she came over. We talked, got to know each other and went for a walk to the library to get a card. We then walked around BEAUTIFUL Eagle River, (which is literally like 15 meters from my room’s window and our balcony!!!) Carol and I came back and met my neighbor Isaac while walking through the hallway. He said he was putting up a horseshoe pit outside if we wanted to join him later. We hung out until Kirsten came back from her run. Then, I was like, “Let’s go meet our neighbors!” So, we three went over there and hung out with Isaac, Andrew, and Reed and drank a beer. The guys are funny because they all have accents and all they talk about is snowboarding and “catching the good powder days.” We came back to my apt and made some popcorn and watched Knocked Up. Around 7 pm my roommate, Melissa moved in and we then talked, shared stories, etc until midnightish. It was pretty much a great day.

This morning we all got up and visited Ann in the GRNSS office. The office is hilarious because it looks like your average office, with hallways and stuff but all around are taxidermies like bobcats and moose heads and random animal bones. She’s incredibly nice and was so excited to see us! Everyone around the office was like, “Are these the interns!?!?!” Everyone introduced themselves and were really friendly. I’m pretty sure Monday is going to be the best first day of work I’ve ever had. We left the office and all went our separate ways. I walked to the post office and now I’m at the library.

It is so spectacular outside… 72 degrees and sunny with a nice mountain breeze! Now, I am fixin’ to go for another walk around the river and the hang with the girls in the evening. I miss you all back home and hope you’re having a wonderful time wherever you are! I’m thinking about you!!!