8/19 - "Can you see anything?"

The drive up Hwy 64 was, in a few words, a stupid idea. We started up at about 2:30am and it took 4 hours to reach our campground. If we were scared in the storm at the Petrified Forest, that was nothing compared to the freakish nightmare that was Hwy 64 in the middle of the night. What we had to experience was absolute horror.

This highway is apparently famous, first of all. It is the highest continuous roadway in the country and it is known as the "scenic" Trail Ridge Road. Scenic? Well, yeah, maybe during the day. As we embarked on this treacherous road up the mountain, we were stopped before the climb by ROAD CONSTRUCTION. After we were allowed to proceed, we began one steep, narrow curve after another on a two lane road...in complete darkness...in fog as thick as a steam room...with NO divider line...with severe drop-offs on BOTH sides of us.....aaaannnndddd.....NO FREAKIN' GUARD RAIL!!!!! Hence, the four hours. Throughout the ordeal we were stopped by construction three times, AND were told to watch for wildlife in the road. Trista wouldn't look up from her pillow and Adam started sweating. He insisted on getting them out of it and going on, but after Trista refused, for the second time in one day, there was no way Adam could continue on. We were both too creeped out and had to stop at a turn-out that was, seriously, at the top of the world. We slept for about two hours in the freezing car until there was a little dawn light to guide us down. That's when we could see just how high we were and just how dangerous the conditions were on this road when we traveled it. We are still alive, but NEVER AGAIN. That was the Devil's route.

P.S. - The beauty of the morning light on us way high up at Rainbow Curve was a paradox to the night before. A once in a lifetime view.