Wow … seems such a long time since I made an entry on the blog. I’ve been making footprints through such beautiful country. Every time I took a moment to get the notebook out there was another duty calling or my words seemed too trite considering the experiences had … In the high country east of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, my favorite visitor appeared with our old pickup truck to help the march haul its eco commodes for a part of the journey east. Pat picked up my spirits and these entries slid even further back on the stovetop. When life is good it seems my expressive side grows lazy. Having the old truck available has spoiled me too. After walking my daily distance to camp I venture out on a truck excursion in search of a diner that might have beef on the menu and maybe some ice cream, or pie. Never have I had such cravings for red meat and other things I shouldn’t eat much of. Truck access opened Pandora’s box, but none to soon as I had lost over 15 lbs last time I checked and that was over a month ago.

My body seems to be holding up. The hip isn’t giving me much trouble and knees are fine. I have had no blisters since Arizona and that was 900 miles back. The neck is tight and I seem to have a pinched nerve as my right arm sometimes tingles and feels a bit numb while I walk. This has led me to give up the walking poles. I think I might have put too much weight on them these past weeks in the mountains. I have also taken my daypack off and recently bought a jogging cart on craigslist to carry my gear. Pat says the biggest change by far is my lack of any sort of ass. It seems I have walked it completely off my body. Now I know there is some validity to the phrase; “that old boy worked his ass off.” This would go completely unnoticed by me if it were not for the fact that my pants are nearly impossible to keep on these days. Even with belt firmly tightened they just want to slide off. Pat says some kind of prosthetic butt might be worth looking into…

The Ravens have continued to keep me company as I walk, and wildlife of every sort shares the early morning countryside with me. I have been in the arms of the natural world and we have been intimate in a manner only possible to experience thru footsteps. Four more pilgrims from the Camino de Santiago have crossed my path while walking in Colorado. One of them “Rolly” from Colorado Springs actually wore his scallop shell into a coffee house where I sought to escape the rain. These encounters are my reminder that we are all connected and journeying on as pilgrims.

With my cart I am giving thought to pushing forward ahead of the march and attempt to walk to NewYork City for the mammoth Sept 20th 350.org climate rally. this would require increasing my daily milage to over 20 miles per day, and leave few rest days to enjoy. It also means a solitary life on the road that few will ever experience and I must admit this interests me. I have to make up my mind soon as the window for action is growing shorter each day. Our rallies in Colorado Springs, and Denver were great. Besides the rallies, we must have talked to thousands by now as we slowly walk across our country. Its amazing how small steps make such a huge impact on the folks you walk past.

leaving the Sangre de Cristo range

Forest fire damage near the headwaters of the Arkansas river

Rolly, A fellow pilgrim in Colorado Springs

Walking into Denver

Ed Fallon Watches wind turbine blades shipped by rail

Long walk today … 19 miles. I was tired walking into town but these days I recover my stamina after a little rest. I soon took to my feet to see my way around this “oldest town in Colorado”. I started on Main Street with a Popsicle at the local grocery. At the suggestion of the clerk I was directed 8 blocks to the northeast for a restaurant/convenience store run by Sonia. She cooked me a wonderful cheeseburger and the locals wanted to hear all about my walk and share their thoughts on climate change. It was great community time for me. Sonia heard we were leaving at 7am so she said she would open an hour earlier than usual with 2 pots of coffee and plenty of breakfast burritos ready for sleepy marchers. It sounds like some piece of heaven will greet me in the morning. Then it was back to a main street cafe for marcher musicians to play some music on the front porch. A sculptor was in attendance and he spoke of his work on a large hill that rises above the town. That led to my last adventure of the day … a sunset walk up the hill to see his bronze stations of the cross. The sunset and his work was quite a finish to a great first day in Colorado.

Stations of the cross San Luis Colorado

Sunset over San Luis

Taos is a special place. Nestling against snow capped mountains, a wonderful light moves across it and a colorful palate is always changing. As we left Taos it’s history in the Arts followed us. Walking 10 miles north brought us to historic New Buffalo. This was a 60’s commune that still has some of its early residents, as well as others who have made it their home. It was a backdrop for a part of the film Easy Rider. The community had invited us to lunch. When we walked up to the main building, there were a half dozen folks from community waiting with warm water bath trays for our feet and chairs arranged for us to sit and have our feet bathed and massaged. It was an overwhelmingly generous act and greatly appreciated. Afterwards there was a blessing for each marcher before we went outside for a picnic under the trees.

The age of many New Buffalo residents I would guess to be a decade older than myself (60). I have a tendency to see the 60s as a time warp that escaped change. I look back at the period as timeless in a way. There is a quality to those times that make me think of King Arthur and his lost Camelot. It was grounding to see so much happiness and successful living by those who kept the faith with their experiment.

Their hearts are with our journey. An elder spokesperson said, “Don’t expect to be heard in Washington by those people! Instead spread your message in the footsteps and listen to the people along the way. The change will come from them.”

We finished our day at a small mountainside farm with old cottages. The owners walked Ed and I around and mentioned that cabin #2 had housed Aldous Huxley as he wrote Island. The cabin next door was used by DH Lawrence and his wife from time to time. It is a beautiful piece of ground with inspiring views. It isn’t hard to imagine the inspiration found here. We have such great gifts in this country. But it takes foot time to grasp as many as I’ve been blessed to experience.

Marchers getting foot bath and massage by friends at New Buffalo

Marcher Kathe at new buffalo

Lunch prepared at New Buffalo commune

Arroyo Hondo

Picnic at arroyo Hondo

Crow sculptures on fence posts leading to main house

New Buffalo

Chimayo pilgrims

Taos Rally