I moved out of the Lucas House yesterday after 18 months of joyful living in that big old circa1872 Victorian replete with steep staircases, high ceilings, antique furniture and even a few spooks to go with it.
My stay in Idaho Springs, Colorado has been the longest so far in my trek westward across the US. I arrived here as a somewhat young 55 year old and now after only a year and half later I have turned into a curmudgeonly 56 year old geezer with a white beard and a noticeable stoop. I came here to this hamlet to create new relationships with townspeople and to assist the local churches in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
I have accomplished all of that by getting to know many of the locals, volunteering where needed and finally becoming a church Pastor. My new church, Calvary Idaho Springs is struggling to attract parishioners; but, it's only a few weeks old and it being summer here in Colorado interest in church attendance is frustratingly low.
I'm having my own struggles now. I'm debating on whether to get back on the road and walk west to Seattle in the Pacific Northwest or stay here in Colorado until after winter when roads and trails are passable. If I left in the next week or two I believe it to be a reasonable proposition that I could cross the Cascades before the heavy winter snows. Of course, there's always the chance that injury, sickness, mistakes and general mishaps along the way could impede my progress so as to end up like the Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada in 1846 sans the cannibalism...unless of course I bring along a companion.
I'm writing this article while sitting on the shaded patio at the Horner House in Idaho Springs. The sky is a piercing indigo blue with not a few cumulus white clouds flitting about. Virginia Canyon, steep and high as it is scrapes the sky to the north is only a stone's throw away. It's a cool bright afternoon at 72 degrees with a refreshing wind out of the northwest.
Amy P has the day off from Beau Jos and is napping upstairs. Mike is working in the barn as is his usual custom while wife June is watching over their grandson, Hunter, in the front parlor.
The wind at 5 miles per hour with 10 mph gusts is coming off the canyon wall bringing with it the very noticeable and agreeable smell of piney trees and sage. The low growing lupines that carpet the rocky slopes on this hellaciously steep canyon wall perfume the air with their sweet musky fragrance.
It's summer time in the Rocky Mountains but my thoughts are running towards the now fast approaching winter. There is only one month up here where snow does not fall. July. Every other month it is possible to witness the advent of the flaky white stuff.
But, the first realistic chance for snow comes in September which is only a month and a half out. Like I mentioned previously I'm debating the issue of resuming my hike west now or waiting until the spring thaw.
I can stay here at the Horner House for as long as I want, so, there is no external pressure for me to advance westward to the Pacific Ocean. But, inwardly, I am getting quite ansy about putting Colorado in the rear view mirror. I'm getting that unmistakable feeling of wanting to bushwhack my way through the thick forests of the Wind River Range and the Cascades to at long last dip my feet in the icy cold waters off the town of Ocean Shores in Washington state.
My decision on all this remains undeveloped at the moment. But, time is running out. There is an additional wrinkle in all of this as well. I may be able to procure a hiking companion soon if I play my cards right! Hiking 1400 miles across three mountain ranges and through bear infested woodlands with a traveling buddy would definitely test my low threshold for frustration to be sure.
I do not want to reveal this hiking companion so as not to scare off the potential candidate for general mayhem, all around pain, bear attacks, malarial conditions, getting helplessly lost, dehydration, starvation and the like.
I may be at the cusp of a bit more adventure that I bargained for when I shuffled out of Illinois over two years ago, but, time will tell.
The photos depict the patio at the Horner House, Amy P holding Hunter, meadow grasses and flowers with a myriad of goldenrod and the 4th pic of the rear of the Horner House. The last pic is of yours truly.
For right now, I'm settling in at the Horners and grieving the loss of my old digs at the Lucas House. The next week or so will bring about a decision. So, until then...see ya!
BR Schoenbein
July 14, 2016- Thursday
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