8. Tag: Colorado National Monument

I will never understand why people pace in a motel room. And normally it's not a problem, but when it happens above you, it's annoying. Luckily, my earplugs are very tight and so I sleep reasonably well.

The next morning everything is wet, it rained during the night and it is still drizzling a little. I skip breakfast again and get an apple, a banana and a cup of coffee from the lobby. The apple is good, the banana too, the coffee is crap. That's how it is here.

I set off shortly after nine and for the first hour it rains more or less. After 45 minutes I cross the border to Colorado and when the rain lets up the route becomes really interesting. It goes through forest areas and up high and an amazing view shows me how I soon drive back down the mountain in switchbacks.

Every now and then there is a slight pause as around 50 cattle are being driven into a new paddock on the road. No one honks, everyone is calm, Viva America. Have I already mentioned how relaxing I find driving here?

In the valley, the forests become flat areas that are used for farming with plenty of water. It has also become much warmer and there is no sign of rain. In the background you can see large red rock walls opening up again. After 45 minutes I reach the Colorado National Monument. I actually have to pay an entrance fee, but the ticket office is not manned. And since I have treated myself to the pass, that might annoy me, but considering the effort that goes into it, the entrance fees are completely fine.

The road then climbs up the rock massif via numerous switchbacks, and soon a real abyss opens up on the right. I don't think it's dangerous, but you should stay on the road. There aren't many guard rails here.

There are numerous viewpoints on the so-called rim, all of which are absolutely breathtaking. And so I spend another 3 hours enjoying this nature. What I have experienced in the last few days is almost too much. But of course I am not complaining, because it is simply amazing to be able to see this here.

As I drive back down the plateau, I pass the ticket booth and it is occupied. I want a map of this national park and so I show my passport. After all, it was worth it. My passport is scanned and the lady is happy that I found my way here from Germany.

I still have an hour to get to my accommodation, so I can process my impressions a little. And before I send it off, I fill up the tank; at $3.22 per gallon, it's the cheapest petrol I've had so far.

The owner of my motel came from Poland more than 30 years ago and is called Janusz. He tells me how he emigrated to America after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As a European, he is much more talkative than most Asians, who often own motels here. I like that. But if you don't want to talk, then you don't talk.

For dinner I drive to Arby's and get my favorite sandwich - a Reuben. Why the hell don't they have that in Germany?

Since my room faces the back, you can't hear the street at all. And that's a good prerequisite for a restful night. I'm sure I'm dreaming of red sandstone and bread with sauerkraut. Today was halftime. An incredible first half.