I was born and raised in the middle of the USA – Missouri. Growing up my biggest adventure was going camping with the family in the summer. We’d travel half way across the world (not really but to a 6 yr old it felt like it) and would spend 1 or 2 weeks at Pomme De Terre Lake. Magical times. Fishing, swimming, boating, skiing, camp fires, cousins and sun burns. Pure magic.
It wasn’t until I got married that my travels started for real. While engaged we decided we wanted a real honeymoon …. Out of state! My fiance had been to Colorado a couple of times so to a girl who only been out of Missouri once, he seemed like a world traveler. So Colorado seemed like the most logical destination since he knew how to get there. Remember this was before internet, cell phones, and GPS. I don’t even remember how we decided on which part of Colorado to go to, I’m sure I must have called the 800 number to request a free Colorado tourist guide and we went from there.
A big city like Denver scared the daylights out of me so that was out of the question. Somehow we settled on Salida, population under 5,000. I’m sure we (ok me) picked it due to the neat little advertisement for the Wagon Wheel Guest Ranch. Yup, that’s were we spent our honeymoon. But it was close to several tourist attractions; Royal Gorge, Buckskin Joe…ok so there wasn’t much to do but it was my first real trip and I was hooked.
I had never in my life seen a real mountain. Now good ole Missouri has some pretty big rolling hills but we do not have mountains. They were incredible. The Rockies were jaw dropping awesome. I loved riding up high in the misty clouds and looking down at the tiny towns. It makes one feel like a giant. We explored ghost towns, waded in freezing cold springs, feed popcorn to chipmunks and mule deer.
Once you get bit by the travel bug, you’re infected for life. Because it’s like your eyes or senses are opened for the first time! You know that just around the bend another grand adventure awaits you. Another wondrous sight of nature to behold. Another memory waiting to be made.
Memories. It’s been over 25 years since that trip but I can recall it like yesterday. I still recall how that fresh eyed young bride felt. The excitement of starting my life with the man I loved. Little did I know then that our life would travel many roads around the world. It’s been an adventure. Best part…we are just getting started!