Greeting from the Rockies

Well, here I am in Silverthorn, Colorado.

Yesterday started early. I left Omaha at about 6:30am. It was still dark as I left and as I drove in the darkness I couldn't help but remember how I first heard of Omaha. As a child I used to watch Mutual of Omaha's 'Wild Kingdom' with the rest of the family on Sunday nights. In this show an elderly man named Marlin Perkins traveled the world with his helper Jim. They would rescue polar bears, fix broken legs on aardvarks, do dentistry on porcupines and things like that. Marlin would get all the credit while Jim did all the work. Actually, Marlin did help out some. While Jim was trying to get the temperature of a mountain lion using a rectal thermometer, Marlin would call out helpful advice like "Watch out!" and "Be Careful". Anyway, it was a great show and now, 40 years later, I still remember it.

Sorry about that detour. So I drove the length of Nebraska yesterday. I even made it to the highest elevation in the state. It was an overpass that went above some railroad tracks. I don't want to say that Nebraska is flat, but the word 'Topography' isn't even taught in the schools.

I drove to Denver where I met with a former vendor, Ted Hodges. I had never met Ted before, so it was nice to finally put a face with the voice. Ted spent a couple of hours with me, showed my his company, and took me to a late lunch. I was humbled by his kindness.

Last night I stayed at a condo in the mountains owed by Ted's company. It is nice, spacious, and very quiet. If it weren't for the fact that I am a guest there, I would complain about the lack of an internet connection. At this moment I am one of the those folks you see camped out in a Starbucks, banging away on a laptop.

Last night was difficult and wonderful. I was exhausted and went to bed right after the Cubs lost, about 9:00pm. I woke up about 1:00am and was unable to get back to sleep, so I decided to read. My good friend Mike Popovic, a former co-worker, had given me a going away gift, a book called 'Moving Forward'. So I started the book. Wow. These were words I needed to read. The book is about overcoming, taking control, and moving ahead. I only read the first two chapters, then fell into deep thought and prayer.

The weather here is cool, about 50 degrees. The non-evergreen trees are in full fall color. I stopped into a fly fishing shop this morning and booked a charter for tomorrow morning. Pictures to follow.

Battery is now low on the laptop so this the end for now.