Days 7 and 8

Lots and lots of driving through largely beautiful scenery. On Saturday, I caught my last Sundance Film, this one called This Is Martin Bonner. It was a reserved, touching film about a many trying to renter society after being in prison for manslaughter and the mentor who guides him along. Then I took off for Grand Junction, Colorado. Not much in between other than terrible weather. As well, I stayed at the Mes Inn in Grand Junction. Worst hotel of all time. I think it was colder in the room that outside. Seriously. What a mess. Today, I took off East aiming for Amarillo, Texas. Colorado was stunning. Whereas in Alberta, the Rockies look to have been lifted up from underneath, the red rock in CO looks like people pushed two sides so forcefully together they had nowhere to go but jut out of the ground. Quite cool. Additionally, the route I took went through Denver which meant going straight into the mountains. I passed through village after village of beautiful ski areas — little Banff's — and then all of sudden, you're driving uphill from 7,000 feet to over 1,100. In like, 25 miles. I thought my car was going to have a heart attack. Just as quickly, you decline and within another 25 miles you're completely clear. Amazing terrain. What of New Mexico I saw was beautiful, as well. Then into Texas, which so far has been stereotypical. Looks like it does. Oddly enough, I passed through a number of small towns and thought immediately to The Last Picture Show, which made me smile. I don't know how people do it, but hey, it's a life.