Silos and Smokestacks, Skyballs and Saxscrapers

The alarm ringing at 525 am is never a welcome thing, especially after a Cubs game. Jill was already up and stirring, and I dragged myself into getting ready. Much to our surprise we were downstairs and ready at five to six. Perfect. We said our goodbyes to Maria (you are surely missed and I can't wait to see you again) and disappeared east on Armitage. Its sad to leave good friends but the promise of ones down the road is so exciting. That would be the last time we would head East for sometime. A lot of things come up on long drives, a lot of questions are asked, and alot of things are learned. Is the whole country east of Colorado under construction? You need to clean the windshield EVERY time other wise you lose your vision and your appetite. If you want it to stop raining, buy new wiper blades. Nebraska smells like sh*t so badly you can taste it. Iowa has an oddly high number of wineries. Mom's always give good advice (no speeding, no garbage). There is nothing to really report other than that until Denver. Except for one thing. Maria packed a box full of presents for each day that Jill and I are on the road. It is fun seeing something new from Maria every day and we will decorate the car accordingly.
We made really great time, and stopped in Denver to eat. Actually we stopped in Denver because I had to use the restroom. The Borders was next to a Whole Foods so we get a snack and then headed on to Keystone to meet up with my brother in law Mike Q. at his house. Night had fallen as we started down the Loveland Pass. The directions we had was the third right on the Pass. We didn't realize you had to climb a mountain first to get to the shopping mall we were supposed to turn at. A lot of laughing and careful driving as the road twisted and turned into the darkness. We have to stop on the way back and see the Great Divide. We made it in one piece and were glad to see some familiar faces. A beer and some water later, Jill and I were sound asleep in an hour. Time Traveled 15:33. Distance traveled 1069.3. Bugs Killed 1,000s. Walmarts 2.