It was sometime last year that I decided to make the journey westward. I don’t remember why I caught the notion. I just remember the idea seemed brilliant! Taking off toward California without a care in the world. I think I’ve needed a break for a while. I think I can honestly say, a few aches and pains aside, that this is truly the most relaxed I’ve felt in a LONG time. This cold, rainy tent feels like home tonight more than my house has in too many years. Plus in the morning I know I’m going to wake up to another view like this one.

Tonight I am sitting at a beautiful campground in Grand Junction, Colorado. We are squatting here for a few days, and waiting on my other beautiful seester to arrive sometime tomorrow. This is definitely the easiest wait I’ve had in a long time. I can tell I’m getting older because I can’t seem to stop bringing up how great the water pressure is here in the showers. I can tell my priorities have definitely came a long way since the days of hanging with Lucy, and laying on the ground in the woods lucky to have a blanket. Growing up is a helluva a thing 🙂 The journey is a long one, but I’m definitely enjoying it along the way, water pressure and all.

The journey to this point was not necessarily the most enjoyable. I don’t know why I always think it’s a great idea to work my third shift job and then try to drive anywhere the next day. I can’t even grocery shop when I’m tired, so last minute packing and deciding to go the “scenic route” almost killed me I think.  I had always wanted to hop on Highway 50 and keep going without looking back. It’s been a dream of mine since I was young and learned it was possible. I have conquered I65 back and forth to its furthest point in good ole Alabama many times over. It was past time to fulfill my west cost desires. I didn’t count on one thing, though. The Midwest is the Midwest is the Midwest. I65 southward gradiates slowly from farm land to beaches as you travel. The same doesn’t hold true for 50. Indiana looks like Illinois, looks like Kansas. I will say Missouri stood out a little, but partially because of the beautiful old school record store we stumbled across while in seek of a Pizza Hut. Coolest store EVER. I know I say it a lot, but for real this time. After the record store, I was seduced into a little affair with an underpass 🙂 It was a love triangle <3 Me, my camera, and the Tunnel of Love. Check it out…

Just a little spot we pulled off on right inside of Colorado Saturday morning for a driving break. I’ve always had a thing for tunnels. Strangely I think I like the abstract one the best this time, though <3

That underpass wasn’t the only thing I was turning my evil camera eye on that morning. I suddenly realized while going to put my gear away that I had not subjected my navigator to any of my visual chronicling as of yet, and that would never do…

Little did I know when I took this photo that I might possibly never see the sun again. Less than half a day after I shot this we arrived at the start of the mountains. It was all fun and games at first. All oooohs and aaawwwsss. The Vail Mountain Pass was not fun, however. My dentist is more fun than the Vail Mountain Pass.  I’m not speaking from experience, but I’m going to guess a full body cavity search is more fun than the Vail Mountain Pass. I completely understand what happened to Jack Torrance in The Shining now. I can say with 100 percent certainty that it wasn’t the possessed hotel that drove him nuts. He muss have had to take the Vail Mountain Pass.

After finally making it to our camping destination, and getting the tent set up we set about on my #1 priority other than great water pressure. One of my loves closely following my lust for photography is with a Colorado made tequila. It is made at Peach Street Distillers. I haven’t look at any tequila the same since I had their brand. I immediately went in search, and was foiled when the neighborhood liquor store was without. The second day after waking I tried again at a little shop next to the grocery store we were aiming for. I made a beeline for the tequila aisle. I became over excited with glee when my eyes drank in that familiar label. My mouth water with desire as I caressed the bottle, and carried to the register. The second I got back to the tent and got relaxed I broke that freshness seal. I insisted my non-drinking sister try it as I told her it was liquid gold in my bottle. Unfortunately it was not until she agreed and we bent elbows that the realization came that I had chosen  poorly. I had picked the wrong metal! When donning jewelry I’m hands down silver, but I only like Gold in my tequila. My sister winced in agony at the potent liquid fire. I’ll have to say I winced a little myself. Not only was it not the good taste I had been expecting, I was unprepared for the brute strength… not that that’s a bad thing. You can see in the photo below how happy I was at the prospect of having my favorite vice in my hands at that moment. THIS is the moment right before your dreams get shattered. THIS is the moment right before all the ballots are in.

Mountain passes and liquor stores aside it has been a pretty fabulous trip so far. As I sit here blissfully writing and listening to the pitter patter of rain drops on my ceiling my heart is glowing. I’m filled with baited anticipation of the Grand Junction adventures I’ll find tomorrow, but I know, no matter where I’m headed, it’s going to involve that damn tequila! Until next time light and love my beautiful friends. Much much light and love from me and Colorado to you all, and to all a good night <3 🙂

Categories: Melodie Yvonne, News and Stuff, StorytimeTags: digital photography, editorial photography, landscape photography, Melodie Yvonne, travel