The Birthday, Revisited

Last weekend was the first time that I can recall spending my birthday solo but I planned accordingly. Since I was in Colorado, I decided that taking the cog railway up Pikes Peak would be a pretty spectacular event! So, I booked myself 3 nights in a very comfy AirBnB home in Fountain, CO (south of Colorado Springs), and made a reservation. I started the day with a 30 mile bike ride but I had a train to catch so I didn't hit my age in miles this year (slacking off). 

As has been the case most of this journey, I had good karma. The reservation folks put me in seating with a 50+ year old guy who was also traveling solo, and wait for it -- half Portuguese, and from Saugus, MA. We sounded exactly alike, yucked it up the entire afternoon, and took the necessary photos at the Peak! Really fun! I then returned to Jutta's (my hostess) for wine & pie & a trip down memory lane with her Cuba photo album. Yes, she has biked Cuba. An all around fun birthday! 

Did you know that Pike never reached the Peak? Also unknown to me is that America the Beautiful was written by Katharine Lee Bates on July 22, 1893 after being inspired by the majestic background of the Rocky Mountains seen from Pikes Peak. Where was she born? Falmouth, Massachusetts. An all around "locals" birthday location! 

Many, many thanks to those of you who took the time to send me cards via my postal box. When I arrived in Estes Park, CO on the 31st, my mail was here and I spent an hour enjoying opening cards & setting up my display. I'll be staying in this location until Columbus Day; that story to come in a few days!