Day Two, Thurs, 9/5/24, Goodland, KS to Wheat Ridge, CO; 185 miles, 5 1/2 hours

Someone told us to make sure to gas up before crossing the Kansas state line into Colorado.  So we wandered all over a small stop on I-70, Kanorado, to fill up at $3.09/gallon.  When we arrived in Burlington (just across the border) the gas price was $3.25!  

In Limon we had lunch at Wendy's and prowled around Colorado Gifts.

The huggable bear in Colorado Gifts, Limon, CO

 

Much of the "Made in China" indigenous items were gone and replaced with more clothing items.

The Wheat Ridge Motel 6 was somewhat of an improvement over Goodland at twice the cost per night.  We struggled with the change from Central to Mountain time and turned in at 8:30pm MDT.

Flame and Mary at Denny's

The best two things about the Wheat Ridge Motel 6 were the Natural Grocers across the street and the Denny's just next door.  Since I didn't sleep well with the person in the second floor room tromping around all night long, I was up very early and on my way to Denny's.  Denny's also honors the AARP card for discounts.  In addition, I was able to purchase goat milk at the Natural Grocers.  Our Newton Wally World was out of goat milk when I shopped for the trip.

Burlington Welcome Center

The intrepid travelers from KS to CO

 What did Day Two of our journey mean to me?  We drove through prairie on either side of I-70 that is very familiar to me.

What did I learn Day Two of our journey?  I still get a thrill when I first see the mountains west of Denver.

What would I do differently if Mary and I travel again in the future?  Nothing.  This day went as planned.

 

Day One, Wed, 9/4/24, Newton to Goodland, 325 miles, 7 1/2 hours

 

Our first stop for lunch at the Fossil Bar & Grill, Russell, KS

 

On our first day, we hit the road at 9:30am with Mary driving all the way to Russell, KS where we ate lunch.  I took over after lunch, but we had to exit I-70 at Wakeeney (exit 128) and drive KS 24 from Hill City to Colby.  We drove through Hoxie, KS relatively slowly behind a caravan of 18-wheelers, fancy trucks, and sedans, all of us traveling west.  We heard later that the road closure was due to a bridge being collapsed.

We listened to Robert Ohotto's class on Saturn in Pisces.  What is enlightenment?  How does a wave become a particle?  What is my Saturn original wound?  What House? (9) What sign? (Libra)

Pit stop in Colby; Flame in the shade of the window

 

Goodland is just a few miles west of Colby, and I had made a reservation at the Motel 6.  Just to be clear, this Motel 6 is the very worst I've ever stayed at.  And I've stayed at A LOT of Motel 6's.

No hot water in the shower.  The room door didn't close all the way.  Flies coming in the door all night long.  No coffee in the breakfast area.  And the reception area door (glass) was cracked and duct-taped together.

It was cheap in every way.  I was seduced by the cheap price of the room.

What did this first day mean to me?  Don't be seduced by the cheap price of a room!

What did I learn this first day?  Be prepared for road closures and don't let them get you down.  They end eventually. 

What would I do differently if Mary and I travel together in the future?  Be more careful about where I make reservations, especially with Motel 6's in Bumfuck Babylon!

However, we did get into our room in time for the CSJ Meaningful Conversation Zoom meeting based upon Sr. Jean Rose's June Assembly remarks.  We discussed the legacy of the CSJ charism--holy women, prophets, mystics, communal interior poverty, WE, relationship building.  What is a Holy Woman?  How do we manifest ordinary holiness?