We left Vermont in search of the season's last snow and returned with a revived appreciation of our country. We drove more miles in a week than anyone should ever take on. We violated the cardinal rule of travel by zooming through amazing park after amazing park without stopping to sop up the deliciousness. And yet we managed to discover so much and rallied a love that refuses to perish.
Final Stats: 6400 miles, 8 days, 3 days snowboarding on 3 separate mountain ranges, 15 states, way too many hours of driving, 3 nights camping, 2 nights sleeping in the car, one Orwell Memorial Day parade, and one couple that rediscovered their country and themselves.
The air was crisp and clear, the sun bright and full, and the countryside glowed in vibrant shades of green. The Fiesta was parked in line awaiting the parade, washed and ready to fall in behind the fire trucks of the surrounding towns. The town of Orwell was alive with the energy of its one major public celebration of the year. I was engaged in a lively discussion with the Veterans that were to march behind me. After a long journey through the Western states, I couldn't have been more ecstatic to be home.
We went from 90F to 28F in a few hours. The temperature and the snow/rain drove us into a hotel for the evening in Frisco. The full night of rest did us well and we made it to A-Basin early in the morning. The difference in weather was as striking as the change in atmosphere from the other ski areas. It was nice to get away from the scene and get back to a more Vermont feel. Unfortunately the weather changed to match as well. Epic greybird with ample rain to greet the weary travelers. We trooped on and were rewarded with a parting in the clouds.
It took a bit of effort to pull away from Zion and concentrate on the long drive to Colorado. Both Jen and I were completely blown away by the scale and beauty of the landscape. There is little doubt that we will spend an extended stretch in southern Utah at some point.
We drove up old 89 to see a bit more of the countryside. It is amazing that you can start the day in amber colors of Utah and end in the snow of Colorado.
