The Herd (Rob) - Blogabond

Today is a day like none other. Besides the fact that James and I were both able to get a full 8 hours of sleep, we wake to howling winds and a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains. The view captured mountain peaks for miles, small areas of patchy snow, and a herd of elk. When I peaked out the window, the view was incredible, but I didn’t get the elk. James peaked out and he said, “Oh my god, you have to see this”. I responded with, “I all ready did.” And then I asked if there were animals. He mentioned the elk and I jumped out of my sleeping bag to see. They stand there, about 25 or 30, eating at the grass that lay outside the lodge that we are staying. We lie next to the fireplace that let off a great amount of heat during the night. The porch had wooden benches that were carved in a nice ‘country’ type design. It is definitely what someone would expect to see if they came to the Rocky Mountains to visit. I’m sure the locals have a regular wooden chair that they sit in. Perhaps they have a rocking chair, but not the design that they have on these. Or maybe so, I just don’t know.

The elk stand there, looking around, chomping the grass, looking up and around, and watching for people who may be approaching. James wants to grab the camera, but the elk are quickly approaching the car. If he opens the door, he may scare them away. But no one else is up either, so we are afraid we will be making too much noise as well. The elk are beautiful. They have this rum, though that is a different color. It’s almost like it is bare. And if it is, I feel sorry since the snow is flurrying right now and it’s bound to get cold. The wind alone would cause frostbite – or so I think.

Jessica and her family are all so nice to have allowed us to stay with them. It is only a short period of time, more like a night’s rest. We won’t be actually spending too much time with them besides breakfast or a snack before we hit the road. She looks so cute and motherly with her newly defined pregnant stomach. It wasn’t there last time I saw her.

I can’t wait to go back through the back roads to get to the highway. They were winding and close to rock. The rock, huge in form, lay on both sides of the road for a tight fit and a brilliant scenic view, I’m sure. It definitely takes a complete level of attention. One animal in the road and I’m sure – I’d be off into the river. We’ll take pictures, so don’t you worry.

We definitely wouldn’t have time for a music video. James and I have been recording ourselves with the camera singing songs from RENT. James broke out in his feminine act, singing “Today 4 U”. My oh my, what a sight. He and I both sang “La Vie Boheme” and “Living in America”. The second, we may show to people. Who knows?! My craze for the hit musical has died recently. Not sure if it’s my present predicament or if the movie was a final Hurrah for me. Watching the movie, I did feel as if I were dwelling on it. Obviously, when I saw the play for the first time, it was under a different set of circumstances. In the beginning, it was a trend, something to unite people together on a common bond. It was an immediate bond. When you were in the RENTline, you were family. People talked about where they were from, how many times they saw the play, who in the cast they have met. Then, we would talk about who we were, perhaps play a game or ten and even sing songs. Not always from the musical, but eventually the soundtrack would be put in and we would start singing from our favorite songs. Sometimes, we didn’t even need the background music. We would just go acapella. Now, I think that I am growing a little older and the crowd seems a little younger. I felt comfortable last time, but then again, I brought my friends with me. I think that it’s time to let others partake in the RENTline and I’ll stand aside.

“Last night, I had a dream”. I wasn’t in cyberland (as depicted from Maureen in RENT), but moreso in Balboa Park. I was with Dakota, Patrik and Josh. I was supposed to work that day for a little while. So, off I went, leaving the boys to baby-sit Dakota. At the end of the day, the fire alarms sounded. Anyone that knows Balboa Park knows that there are not fire alarms – but it’s a dream, so it’s allowed. I looked into the Park and a huge flame rose from the center. I had to get Dakota. Running through the crowd, I couldn’t find him anywhere. I kept searching, with thoughts through my mind of Dakota lost sitting next to a tree and a stranger collecting him to “take him to safety”, but really meaning to take him away. I had to find him, as tears started down my face. The phone rings. It’s Patrik. Dakota’s with Patrik! Thank goodness. I find their location and I run to them, picking Dakota up, hugging him dramatically, and then I woke. I think that my internal clock is ticking. I mentioned to James that it was time to finally settle down. Perhaps this trip is my first attempt at doing that.

Well, off to shower, maybe even shave! My beard is starting to grow.

Enjoy…
Rob

written by

James Coloma on December 27, 2005 from Boulder, United States

from the travel blog: Rob & James - Cross Country Trip - December 2005 to January 2006

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