I have been very patient all summer. In fact, for a year I have been patient, and anyone who knows me would say so. I haven't gone out of the state since the Christmas holiday.This has been practical and necessary. When one is not gainfully employed- the name of the game is conservation of funds, and sincere and energetic beating of the bushes for gainful employment.
Finally, this past August, a year and a week to the day- I achieved my goal. I am now gladly working for National American University. I am designing and redesigning ALL their online courses. This is an enormous project, to which I look forward. But that is another story...
Once I had secured my position, and felt comfortable that it would not evaporate in front of my eyes, I started feeling again. These are the feelings I had put on hold for a year. These are the feelings, and accompanying behaviors that- when I am at my most quintessentially myself, I feel and do. My friends, family and those who know me well, then say to each other- "Yep, there she goes again!"
It was natural that, when Labor Day was looming, I started thinking about how far the tether would reach in a three day weekend. I have much exploring to do in this new part of the world. So, I turned to JhonDuane who is the finest consultant I know for adventure inspiration/creation! I told him that I was open to anything, but it should meet two criterion:
1. It should take me out of Rapid City
2. It should have something to do with art.
Some of the best ideas take time, and, in this case, superlative suggestions were slow to surface, even with JhonDuane's fine mind at work. I was determined on "getting out of Dodge" however.
Finally, Jhon came up with a PLAN. We would go to Colorado, and visit Denver Art Museum, and while we were there, we would also stay in Fort Collins.
It was a long drive, with a welcome, several hour detour in Nebraska. First there was a Labor Day Parade/Farmer's Market, where we both purchased some amazingly delicious raw honey. Then, in Chadron, we stopped for the Labor Day Weekend Annual Rock Swap.It was fun to see all the "usual suspects". It was great to visit, and hear all the latest rock hunting tales and finds. There are many wonderful raw rocks, cabs, gems, fossils, finished jewelry and everything in between. JhonDuane purchased some wonderful raw Fairburn Agates, while I was content to just visit and look at everything! Finally, at mid-afternoon it was time to move on South.
I was excited! This was the first time I had ever been to Colorado! (well, I spent an hour waiting for the next leg of my flight at Christmas, but that doesn't really count- airports are not really a place- they are sort of a twilight zone, only to be endured). We traveled through several hours of Wyoming, occasionally passing oil rigs. I had to be told what these were- they looked nothing like to old rigs in my Social Studies book of my high school days.
This part of Wyoming was nothing like scenery I had pictured from the book The Virginian. Except for the monument to the cattle trails that we stopped and read, it could really still have been South Dakota. The area was large, flat and dusty. I closed my eyes and imagined an endless herd of cattle lumbering towards us, bawling and snorting, cowboys whistling and shouting to keep them moving forward.
The sun went down, and we continued the drive. Finally, the prairie and stars were competing with distant lights of civilization. As soon as it became clear that we were entering urban driving, I turned the wheel over to Jhon. He got us safely checked in to a motel, and then we were out for the evening in Fort Collins!
First, we stopped to eat at one of Jhon's favorite Mexican restaurants,Très Margaritas and what a treat! Truly fine Mexican food, superb Margaritas, all served under enormous, ancient trees in a secluded patio. I relaxed and savored the gentle night breeze, shimmering aspen leaves, and a million brilliant stars.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a photo of the lovely terrace where we dined, and so I settled for a photo of a dish of their food- YUM!
A full moon begged for a stroll. We, and many of the students populated the beautiful brick walkways and "people streets" adjacent to Colorado State University. We walked for ages- each new turn displayed yet another interesting alley, with interesting store fronts. Finally, after a modest ice cream we mutually decided it was "a night"!
The next morning, after breakfast, we attempted the farmer's market- one of our pre-determined destinations.
Upon learning that it didn't open until 11 AM (yikes! for any self-respecting farmer, that would be after lunch!), we headed South to Denver, to the Denver Art Museum.As it was Sunday, we waited in an adjacent coffee place for opening, and strolled the beautiful outdoor sculpture at the front of this amazing building.
When we visited, the DAM was remodeling, and preparing for Fall exhibits. Some sections were closed, but there was much for this viewer to savor.The building itself is exceedingly well designed. There are beautifully framed views from every window. I took advantage of as many as I could!
Even the lights are works of art!
After all the hard work of art appreciation, we felt that sustenance was in order... JhonDuane knew just the place!
Ahhhh~ Rx in the nick of time!
... The ambiance was pretty 'laxin', too!
