Leading off with a big thanks to my old buddy Patrick Rizzo (14:09/29:06/1:04:20/2:13:42). Great to catch up with him in Boulder this weekend. Better actually that he caught me, speedy as he is, returning a parcel I’d left during our visit. I bestowed him with Good Karma towards “Top American” at next month’s Houston Marathon. Patrick trains with Brad Hudson’s group in Boulder and is one of the Real Characters in U.S. distance running, big infectious smile and happy attitude.
Our trip turned into a pilgrimage of sorts. One of my favorite figures from American History is Buffalo Bill. Promoter, Showman, Cowboy, Kindred Spirit.
Buffalo Bill Cody is buried on top of Lookout Mountain outside of Denver.
I worked on conquering my fear of heights, no shortage of opportunities to squarely face the phobia.
Linda and I decided to make our return trip from CO via the scenic byways of Nebraska. Don’t know that I’ll ever need to hit I-80 again. The trip allows me now to speak more eloquently of the Good Life. Ogallala is normally a 5 hour drive, we made it 10. My first trip to Big Mac, the lake much bigger than I’d imagined.
We stopped at just about every historical marker on the nearly 400 mile drive yesterday.
Mountains of recently harvested corn dot US Highway 30.
Americana on display everywhere. Most of the small communities we visited were less than 400 people.
Scouts Rest. Buffalo Bill’s retreat in North Platte. Here he entertained heads of state from around the world.
An original Pony Express station in Gothenburg. Bill briefly rode for the carrier. Interesting to find out that the Pony Express only lasted 19 months in becoming part of the lore of the West.
We stopped in Sutherland for a moment of reflection. Neither Protestant nor Catholic, but understanding and appreciative of those that are.
And a new hero for me, a Mormon, showing that character crosses all religious lines. And a new favorite byline, “Independent in Everything, Neutral in Nothing.”
US Highway 30. The Lincoln Highway Scenic & Historic Byway. It has given me a new found sense of The Good Life. http://www.lincolnhighwaynebraskabyway.com/
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