Nebraska

Driving through Nebraska we learned the definition of “plain.” This state at the western edge of the Great Plains is flat, level, and rather unattractive. We stopped in North Platt because we were told there was a county fair with a rodeo but even it was small and simple. We did see some cool Polish chickens along with rabbits, goats, pigs and cattle.

Back Home in Denver

Family brought us to Denver. While Rawlins is little changed, Denver is an entirely different matter. The city I knew so well, is huge, crowded, and crisscrossed with freeways built after I left for California. We enjoyed our brief time with cousins Jo and Rich, reminiscing old times and discussing (arguing) current ones. We met new cousins, Aleksander and Spencer, and had lunch with their parents Dan and Kathleen. The brief family reunion ended at dinner with the matriarch Edith Jacobs, my senior first cousin. It was wonderful to be with family, we have few opportunities to see each other.

I know why I left Wyoming

While these past two days have been just a long haul to Wyoming, I am feeling a nostalgia attack. Our trip from Rawlins, where we spent the night, to Denver is one I took many times in the first four years of my life. Rawlins was my first home (Denver the birth place). With my mother’s family in Denver, we drove down in a big truck for holidays. According to my mother, I stood at the window in front of the cab for the entire trip, just watching the scenery. In those WWII days the road was probably two lane and the trip hours long. Now I travel on the interstate in the luxury of a home on wheels.

We went to see Harry Potter last night (very enjoyable) and past the sad little neighborhood where I lived. My only memory is of the wind blowing dust from the railroad tracks into my eyes. Looking at the town, I am grateful that my parents left and took me to the big city of Denver.

Our favorite Mexican Restaurant

We spent the night at WalMart in Winnemucca. (Yes, we now do that for a reason. Ask if you want the reason).











Then we headed to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, the Red Iguana in Salt Lake City. We found it before Guy Vierri on Diners, Dives and DriveIns. It was wonderful as usual and we even had leftovers so we could savor it again.

Volksmarch

We stopped near Truckee to work on the Placer Pacer Volksmarch on the Pacific Crest Trail and met a true adventurer, a Canadian walking home. He started at the Mexican border and is walking to British Columbia along the 2650 mile PCT. Our walk was about the same number but only in yards.