I began planning this road trip over two years ago. In preparation, I created eight cover options (all with song titles like my previous travel books) and asked social media to vote for their favorite. They chose this one combining a photo I shot of Meadow Creek Pond in Frisco, CO a few years ago and an old Rod Stewart song, Every Picture Tells A Story,
I had hoped to begin my trip in May 2019, but had to postpone it due to a family emergency that required me to spend all summer in Michigan. So needless to say, I was very excited when 2020 rolled in and I could make plans to freely travel again. And all that lasted until about March when I realized just how much Covid would change everything. After sweltering though my first full summer in Arizona in a long time (Yes, it's a dry heat. Just like a microwave.), I decided to test traveling during the pandemic by driving to Colorado. I determined that if I felt safe and comfortable, I may push on from there. And as you will see in following chapters, I was able to continue my journey to Michigan before returning to Arizona. (The approximate route for this nearly one month, 4500 mile trip that began on Aug 25, 2020 is shown here.) As always, I hope my travel photos, observations and stories are uplifting, informative or humorous. Because now, more than ever, we need to share things that bring us joy. Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com Table Of Contents 01. Every Picture Tells A Story. 02. Dedication: To Ellie. 03. Acknowledgements: To Friendly Faces Along The Way. 04. Amazing Places: Villa Grove, CO. 05. Amazing Places: Colorado Springs, CO. 06. Amazing Places: Green Mountain Falls, CO. 07. Amazing Places: Garden Of The Gods, CO. 08. Amazing Places: Pueblo Riverwalk, CO. 09. A Real Life Lesson In Personal Growth. 10. Amazing Places: Castle Rock, CO. 11. Focus On The Light. 12. Amazing Places: Greeley, CO. 13. The Fork In The Road. 14. Amazing Places: Wahoo, NE. 15. A Grateful Heart In The Heartland. 16. Amazing Places: Yutan, NE. 17. Amazing Places: Utica, MI. 18. This Was A Good Sign. 19. Lost And Found. 20. Salute! 21. The Eye Of The Storm. 22. Pondering The Road Ahead. 23. Amazing Places: Funk, NE. 24. Practicing Kindness By The Book. 25. This Is Really Corny. 26. The Other Las Vegas. 27. Best. Social. Distance. Champs. Ever. 28. What A Fond Fur-Well. :-) 29. Every Picture Tells A Story: Parting Shot. 30. For More Travel And Encouragement. Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books Ellie, this is the first photo ever taken of you and me together. I used it to announce your arrival to the world on January 31, 2020. (That original Facebook post here.) Well, my darling granddaughter, it is now October of 2020 and so much has changed. You have grown bigger and stronger. You let me hold you so much that I tell everyone I got a job promotion because that's my primary duty when I come over. And you absolutely light up the world every time you smile or laugh.
One thing that has not changed is how much you are loved. Not just by me, but by everyone in your family. And what is really remarkable is how much your two brothers and sister love on you. That may not seem like much now, but trust me, when you are all in your teens it will be something you'll want to remember. So for all those reasons and more I am dedicating this book to you. You are a reminder of all the good there is right in front of us. And it is my hope that when you get old enough to travel on your own, the world will be a place that welcomes you to wander and wonder. Love, GrandPALes PS. Your Mom just took another picture of us today so everyone could see how big you got in just 8 months. :-) Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books One of my true pleasures in life is having new experiences or sharing fond memories with great friends. And when I started this tentative road trip, I wondered if that was even going to be possible during this uncertain time. Fortunately, I am happy to report that despite all the negative news today, there are still wonderful people being kind to one another. And I am so very grateful for all the friendly faces who extended a warm welcome to me along the way.
A very special thanks go out to my hosts and visitors who were able to meet up. (Some of those who weren't camera shy are pictured above.) They are, in order of appearance: Danny Shuford, Kat Augustdottir-Shuford, Jennifer Callaway, Tristan Ricci, My Colorado Family, Daphne Horvath, Becky Sanders, Terry Marshall, Lonnie Nulph, Midi Dunn Daddis, Jarrod Daddis, Joshua Daddis, Macey Daddis, John Taylor, Jackie Larson, Dave Kaiser, Lori Gray Mills, Tom Eble, Norene Maness, Sam Paris, Tiina Perttu, Debbi Ringle, Mark Ringle, Marge Morgan, Debbie Sammons, Debbie Fovenesi, Judy Sissen Facionei, Steve Facione, Margo Wilhelmsen, Rick Wilhelmsen, James Wilhelmsen, Cyndi Shahly, David Weeks II, Mike Nichols, Mikayla Nichols and Mikey Nichols. Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books After weeks of deliberation on whether or not I should travel, the record heat in Phoenix, AZ finally convinced me. So I made the long, butt-numbing drive to Villa Grove, CO. The first thing I noticed is that the stormy skyline there matched my quarantine mood prior to departure. The second thing I noticed when I woke up the next day is that it was only 64 degrees. Since that was 50 degrees cooler than some of the temps I'd experienced in AZ, I decided I didn't mind the dark clouds one bit.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books As I wrote in another travel book, Colorado Springs is the first place I landed many years ago when I followed the songwriter's call to experience a Rocky Mountain High. (That story here.) So I was really looking forward to seeing its majestic beauty again. And as you can tell by this photo, the sunset over the Rockies didn't disappoint.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books As I have written before (here), for me no trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to The Pantry in Green Mountain Falls, CO. The food and ambiance of the restaurant is amazing - even with their adaption to Covid restrictions. And the town itself just looks like something out of a dream.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books If you have hiked or driven through to the Garden Of The Gods, CO then I don't need to tell you how extraordinary it is. And if you haven't, I hope for your sake that you put it on your bucket list. For more about this incredible park, check out my previous post here.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books In every one of my road trips I have a new discovery thanks to the advice of people who live locally. On this trip it was the recommendation that I go to the Riverwalk in Pueblo, CO. And I gotta tell you, I was blown away by it's beauty and charm. So if you are looking for someplace gorgeous and unique to wine, dine, chill or stroll away, check this place out.
Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books I came upon this tree growing out of a boulder while hiking in Colorado. I couldn't help but think about how much it represented our lives right now.
We have all recently experienced really rocky times. We have been forced to weather situations we never dreamed possible. And we have had to dig deep just to hold on to what truly matters. So, the life lessons I am taking from this bold, vibrant tree are these. Rocky times force us to find new ways to adapt and flourish. Weathering the storms of life make us personally grow more resilient. Holding firm to our roots - be it our family, friends or faith - makes our connections even stronger. And lastly, when we have survived the odds and thrived because of them, we become living, breathing examples of hope to those who truly need encouragement. Note: For more positive posts, see my free e-books Encouraging Words 1, 2 and 3. Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics Books Castle Rock is about halfway between Denver and Colorado Springs. It is named after it's mountain top that looks like a castle. And as you can tell by this photo - which admittedly has a slight assist from Photoshop - the moon shines largely and brightly upon the very cool city. (Quick question: Are you "over the moon" about this shot or think I am bit of a lunar-tic? Wait. On second thought, don't answer that.) :-)
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