Speed Trap

I’m not a huge fan of I-70 in Colorado. Especially near Vail. But it’s a near necessity to use it to get here from my neck of the woods. Even though it was late May, I left my snow tires on just in case. My brother from another mother, Mr. Jacob Hanson, and I left my house late into the evening and hit the edges of Vail around 9 pm. I could look up the exact time if I wanted to look at my speeding ticket again. But I don’t want to. I should have known better. But it happens... sometimes you let your vehicle gain speed on the way down a hill. I got caught this time around.

Sometimes it pays to slow down.

After issuing my ticket, this cop asked, “What is this a 2004?” As a matter of fact it is, I said. Nobody could believe how he guessed the exact year of my car after I had given him my registration and insurance. As he was wrapping up he said something about how he’ll continue to try and blind us with his brights while I would attempt to safely get back on the road. He held to his word.

So with all that we got in a little later than planned, but still found a primo camping spot. After setting up camp and prior to hitting the hay, the topic of sunrise came up.

Jacob: “Did you want to get up at 4:30?”

Me: “In 45 minutes?”

Jacob: “Is that when 4:30 is?”

Me: “Yeah, it’s 3:45 right now.”

We went with 5. We were greeted by an incredible landscape for the better part of 3 or 4 days. I lost track of day and time.

When it was time to head home, I was neutered. I probably was going five miles under the speed limit and I’m sure it was driving my co-pilot crazy. After a lunch break, Jacob took over the wheel. Shortly thereafter it started to snow. And then we got stopped by a cop. Again. In Vail. Again. This time it was because they closed I-70. Apparently there was a 20 car accident earlier in the day near the Eisenhower tunnel. After waiting an hour or two, we start moving. With the new pair of balls in the driver’s seat, it got a lot more interesting. With a rear wheel drive car in the snow, we were passing a whole bunch of folks. As we started the climb to the scene of the accident, my car starts sliding sideways up the hill. Never a good sign. I feel Jacob look at me and say, “Is your car going to make it up?” I, with the upmost confidence I’m sure, said “Well, um, she’s done it before.” He hit the gas. A whole bunch more hours later, we made it. A hell of a trip from beginning to end.

Bold and beautiful.