Fall Release Tour
By Kathryn E. Eriksen

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Plato

When life comes at you from all sides, close enough to suffocate you with responsibilities, it is time to take a step back and let go.

I recently took a step back and found my release in Colorado. I had never seen the aspen leaves change from brilliant green to joyous yellow. Photographs of golden mountains sprayed with light had always intrigued me; but school and other responsibilities confined my “Colorado Time” to the summer.

So when a friend called and said she was going to Florissant, Colorado to check on her land, I immediately raised my hand and said, “Pick me!”

And I had the time of my life.

Crossing the Threshold

We flew into Colorado Springs and lunched on the stone terrace of the Broadmoor Hotel, overlooking the pristine lake and graceful swans. Flower-lined sidewalks, people strolling (instead of the usual frantic gait seen at home) and the mountains standing proudly in the background completed the scene. By the time we walked around the perimeter of the lake, I knew I was in a different place.

An archway leading to the pool beckoned me with the wonders on the other side. Although I did not step through (for guests only), it symbolized a doorway opening inside me – to stop and listen to that quiet, inner space that knows I am O.K. and life is an adventure.

My perspective changed instantly and my heart lifted in joyful praise.

After lunch, we drove to Woodland Park, a small city about thirty miles outside of the “Springs.” As we left the city, the mountains took over the view. A continuous rush of cars traveled west to make their escape from the city life. The air smelled sweeter and cleaner and the pine trees began to dominate the landscape.

As we climbed in elevation, we spotted the first burst of yellow set among the green pines. Aspens! The golden yellow leaves beckoned us deeper into the mountains, whispering of mysteries and solitude. Since it was getting dark, we had to wait until the next day to explore.

The Yellow Brick Road

After breakfast, we took Teller 1 to the mining town of Victor. Since both my friend and I love to take photographs, we probably stopped more than 15-20 times. If our husbands were there, they would have gone crazy! But it was just the “girls” and we enjoyed every minute.

Each bend in the road presented a new treasure. Either a stand of aspens, or just the view would be enough to bring the car to a stop by the side of the road. At one point, we came upon a deserted stretch of road, with two lonely horses standing near the fence. We stopped so I could take their picture, and one of the horses meandered over to say hello.

The next turn in the road gave us the most special gift of the entire trip. We came upon a tree tunnel made of aspens. The wind had picked up, and aspen leaves were raining from the trees. The entire highway was a ribbon of gold, lined with brilliant white trunks that stood as sentinels, watching over the scene. Sunlight filtered through the trees and danced on the golden ground. It was almost as if the aspens were alive and trying to tell us something. Instead of Dorothy learning the truth from the Wizard of Oz, I heard it whispered in the wind.

Of course, we had to get out and admire this magical scene. A large SUV saw us and stopped to see what the fuss was about. Several people piled out of the vehicle and gaped in disbelief when they saw the scene. Something basic and elemental was present in that space to which we all instinctively responded. For that moment, time stood still and I was at peace.

We continued to Victor and then to Cripple Creek. Both towns exist because of gold – the kind you dig out of the rocks instead of what dots the mountains in the fall. The hand of man was very apparent in the harsh cuts of the mines into the sides of mountains. Portions of the mines still operate, and men scurry around like ants looking for crumbs of treasure.

Cripple Creek was the site of the largest gold rush in history. At the height of the gold camps, it boasted 45,000 residents, all seeking their fortune. Now, the town attracts a different kind of gold. Casinos are prevalent in the downtown area and busloads of people are brought in to try their hand at the slot machines. Human nature has not changed over the last 120 years – today people seek their fortune in a lucky pull of the lever instead of breaking open rock and shale to reach the treasure. The quest is the same but the methods have changed.

We completed our drive, ate a wonderful dinner and went to bed, eager for tomorrow’s adventures.

 

A Hike to Remember

The next day, we went to Mueller State Park, a 5,000-acre paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. We explored several miles of the 50 miles of hiking trails, and did not want to leave.

One trail took us to a high meadow, rolling and flowing towards the mountains. Aspens lined one side and looked like a bracelet of golden jewelry. We had lunch at an old miner’s cabin that sits in quiet contemplation of life, waiting patiently for the next season. A mountain jay decided to try my lunch, and snatched it straight from my hand! Since the birds had found us (and obviously were not afraid) we decided to press on.

Hiking in the wilderness always brings me back to myself. The swinging motion of my legs, combined with the glorious scenery and crisp air, lead me to consider my life’s direction and purpose. Life is simpler when confronted by nature – basic needs must be met and anticipated, dangers avoided, and appreciation for God’s handiwork is always present. My senses come alive and make me feel more vibrant. Nature has a way of reconnecting you to the basic essence of life.

Fall was all around us. Nature had transformed the scenery from the lushness of summer to the last burst of color before winter’s solitude took control. The aspen leaves seemed to be say, “I have lived my purpose, now I must go and make room for new growth.” A new and startling thought occurred to me – why couldn’t I be more like the aspen?

I pondered that concept for the next mile. Nature does not limit herself or her bounty, she just lives as she was created to live. Negative thoughts and artificial limitations are not part of Nature’s vocabulary. Grievances, worries and anxiety do not exist in her world, why do they exist in mine?

The answer that came to me was simple and direct – because I allow negative thoughts and feelings to disturb my inner peace. And if I chose the negative, I can change my choice for the positive!

The mountains, trees and streams do not have a choice to be negative or tightly hold imagined slights; they just ARE. Clouds of doubt or ripples of insecurity never obscure their true nature. Perhaps that is why we feel so renewed when we return to nature, because it reconnects us to our essential selves.

My hike that day was a lesson in physical exertion (shortness of breath and tired muscles prevailed), but it was also a journey inward. I realized that time spent looking inside was worthy of my energy and focus. And I vowed to continue the inward exploration after I returned home.



Time to Go Home

Our flight did not leave until mid-afternoon. Instead of taking the highway back to the “Springs,” we decided on one more adventure.

Gold Camp Road is a dirt and gravel road that runs from Victor, through the mountains to Colorado Springs. We followed the same path as the miners did over one hundred years ago, but we were much more comfortable! My appreciation for the hardships they faced as they battled the weather and the terrain grew tremendously as we drove up and over mountain passes. What determined people they must have been, to focus on one goal to the exclusion of everything else.

We saw patches of snow and even a frozen pond. There were aspen, of course, but the magic had faded since there were less leaves on the trees. As we descended the last mountain, a glimpse of the city made us both sigh.

“Do we have to go back?” I asked with a plaintive whine in my voice.

My friend just looked at me, knowing that she was not expected to answer. And then we began the unwinding process of returning home.

The lessons I learned during my Fall “Release” Tour have stayed with me. I have only to look in admiration at the aspens to remember the serenity I felt when I took that picture. My mind’s eye can clearly see the golden road of discovery and I know in my heart that I will return.