Day 13 &14- Goodbye, Babylon

"Well I came to see, and what I found was not alright with me

Their desperation, some vocation, and it'd been the same thing all along

Goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon

Now I know times are changin, and the people need rearrangin

So now, it's written here in song

Goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon, goodbye

Now our boys, the fallin, all need us, or are all upon it

And you can bet by God, good will is gone

Goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon, oh goodbye Babylon, goodbye Babylon."

-Black Keys

So, these were the last two days of my trip.  As I was packing today, I realized how sad I was to say goodbye to the west.  These past 2 weeks have felt like I was living in a dream.  They seem transitory and intangible.  I have seen so many beautiful deserts and rocks and mountains and cities and people.  I have made new friends and have discovered new parts of myself.

These are some pictures from my last 2 days:

So on day #13, I met up with my friends from Plattsburgh, Kim and Derek.  Another crazy small world story- we grew up only a couple of miles from one another... however, we never met until we went to college at SUNY Plattsburgh.  We cheers-ed my arrival in Denver.  I was so excited to see them- it has been at least a couple of years!  I'm so happy that they moved out here and I hope that Denver will treat them well!

This was one of the coolest spots ever!  I think it was called the "Bike Bar."  As you can see from the menu, you can order a beer, a coffee, some food, and a bike tune-up... all in one place.  Hipster heaven.  The bartender was super friendly and let us stay past last call.  I highly recommend this bar!  

Coffee, bikes, and beers! 

A fuzzy picture of a great night!  This was taken at the Vine Street Pub.  We all match in our black t-shirts.  

I also got a chance to meet up with a friend from Tully, Jess.  We actually share cousins on the Lajoie-side of the family.  I haven't seen her in ages either!  It's funny that I have to drive across the country to see friends and family :)

This is the Butte River in downtown Denver.  The channeled part of it into a mini-rapids tubing area.  It was kinda smelly.  Not sure I would swim in it.  But these folks were all for it!

One of the most liberating aspects of this trip has been having the ability to drop all of my "roles."  I wasn't a daughter or a social worker or a friend or a wife or a lover or a roommate... I had no ties and no responsibilities.  Every day, I decided my own fate.  I woke up every morning, pulled out my map, and decided where I would go to next.  There is something to be said about solely relying on yourself for your own safety, sanity, and adventures.  At the end of the day, I had only myself... and I realized that, no matter what relationships are present in my life, at the end of the day, I still just have myself to answer to.  So I had better be happy and in-love with myself!  And hopefully I will find someone who loves me for all that I am.  But, if not, I know that I will continue to be happy and continue to burn a bright trail through this weary world.  I've made so much peace with my life over these past 6 months and I am so content right now.

Some folks think that just because you're alone, you're lonely.  I have always been able to do "alone" really well.  There were points on this trip where I was lonely- I wished that I had a friend with me.  When you're traveling alone, you are in your own head all the time.  I have chewed over my past, my present, and my hopes for the future.

Mostly, I hope to carry my sense-of-self, my strength, my heart, my unwavering capacity to give love, my passion, and my humor into the next chapter of my life.  This trip has helped to solidify who I know myself to be and I'm ready to return to the world as a woman who runs with the wolves.

Thank you to all of my new and old friends who have supported me on this journey.  I'm blessed to have so many people who send me lots of love every day.  I can't wait to see you all again!