Daniel Cann

I checked out and stepped outside into…snow…everywhere! It was still snowing. I suppose even though it was March I was still in Colorado home of the Rockies, so I should not have been too surprised. The walk did not take that long even with my backpack on. The ground was a little more hazardous and the snow did affect visibility with driving snow blowing in my face but it was nice to be on the move again. When I did finally reach the other hostel I looked at my reflection in a window and thought that I resembled a somewhat startled yeti!

Fortunately it was warm and welcoming inside ‘Melbourne Hostel’ in fact it was more like a hotel. The backpackers here were much more friendly and less seedy. I noticed that unlike the last one there were more nationalities present and it felt like I was back in the travelling community again. Due to the heavy snow outside I decided to catch up on my laundry. Nathan, who I had befriended at Uluru on the outback safari way back in November called me that afternoon. It was great to catch up with him and it was a relief when he said it would be no problem to put me up for a few days. His family would pick me up from the hostel that Sunday giving me two days to enjoy Denver. It was a big relief to know that I would be reunited with him and I looked forward to my stay in Boulder. I just had some time to kill until then.

It did not take long. The weather improved and the next day myself, Hogan a Canadian, Richard from England and Eva from the Czech Republic (and stunning too) joined me for a day of sightseeing around Denver. We visited the State Capitol Building, which was very impressive with its gold dome offering amazing views of the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Afterwards we visited the US Mint, which was okay, not exactly edge of your seat stuff but interesting to see where all the money came from. Being a boxing fan I purchased an impressive Joe Louis commemorative coin, which remains a proud possession of mine.

After lunch and a general walk around the city, visiting some shops (for Eva’s sake!) we decided it was time to get back to the hostel. After freshening up the four of us hit the town again, this time looking for a place to drink and some live music. Our search did not take us long as Richard seemed to know what he was doing. ‘Found it!’ he pointed triumphantly: ‘Ziggie’s Saloon’ promised live blues music and cheap alcohol, prefect for four backpackers! It was just as you would imagine it inside: vibrant, blue collar and lively. The evening passed quickly and pleasantly as we enjoyed some excellent roadhouse blues and talked about our travel experiences.

The following morning I felt like enjoying a quieter day (unsurprisingly) so I went to the ‘Colorado History Museum’ where I learned about the various Native American tribes culture and history. Some of it was sad like the ‘Massacre at Sand Creek.’ The Gold Rush of the nineteenth century had plenty of amusing characters and stories and I learned a lot about the city as well. It was just what the doctor ordered for my delicate condition after the night before. Afterwards I met the others back at the hostel and we all went out for a coffee this time and said our goodbyes later that evening. I would be on the road again the next morning. It was sad to say goodbye again, but Hogan had to travel up to Vancouver where he had a job as a chef, Richard was heading over to Las Vegas and Eva was on her way to Chicago. I expect Denver gets a lot of passing traffic due to its central Midwestern location!

At 8am Nathan and his family arrived at the hostel. I met his father Bill, his mother Sandy and his younger sister Sarah. All were very friendly and welcoming, keen to talk to me about my travel adventures over breakfast in Louisville. The scenery en route to Boulder was spectacular; I saw the ‘Flat irons’ and snow-capped mountains everywhere. I was staying in a hostel in the popular student town of Boulder (famous for ‘Mork and Mindy’ for older readers!) Nathan said that there would be room at his student apartment later in the week. I was fine about that I was just glad to know someone in my new surroundings!

That afternoon I went for a hike in ‘Boulder Mountain Park.’ On the information boards it informed visitors that there were mule, deer, Albert’s squirrel, red fox, black bear (bear!), chickaree squirrel, coyote and mountain lions (also known as cougar, panther or puma). It really hit me that I was out in the wilds. It was great to be up so high and in the fresh air. I was very wary of where I was going and what I was doing. I did see plenty of squirrels but thankfully no bears or mountain lions! I was not sure what I would have done if I did. After avoiding the muggers of the city I was now facing a more deadly foe: Nature!

Fortunately I spent a pleasant afternoon in the Mountain Park and returned safely to the hostel. I phoned Mike (another American I had befriended at Byron Bay, Australia) and after catching up with each other he said that it would be great to see me again and of course it would be no problem to stay at his place in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was surprised that Ben and I had split up and I explained that we did not plan to meet up again until we were closer to Canada. Mike said he had lots to line up for me when I arrived and once again I was floored by the hospitality of Americans. They really do open their homes to you. I went to bed that night feeling in control and optimistic. I had spent a few great weeks in Texas and Colorado and now the rest of my trip and the route I would take through America was taking shape. Great.