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In the Spring of 2010, I went to hike in the historic Chaco Canyon of New Mexico,

with my brother, Matthew. We started our trip from Bailey, Colorado, and drove all

the way to Santa Fe, not on the expressways, but rather, down Rte 285, a fine road

through some scenic country.

Getting there can be half the fun when one is skirting the Rocky Mountains.

The first view of the high mountains is really awesome.

There’s lots of open space in Colorado. Here’s the front gate of a ranch and the house is miles away, out of sight.

Miles along, some homes are within sight of the road. How would you like

to have this view out your bedroom window to wake up to every day?

Whenever I see the mountains I try to imagine what this sight must have been like for the

nineteenth century homesteaders heading west to California in wagons. What trepidation--

and determination--must have been engendered in the hearts of the men and women, knowing

that they had to get over those mountains before they could reach their destinations.