My Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park is Calling Article and photography by Kay Gazaway My family piled their hands, one on top of another like in a football team's huddle, then thrust them toward the windshield. It was summer vacation and we were about to cross the state line into Colorado, together, at the same moment. It wouldn't be fair if my brother or sister arrived in Colorado a split second before me simply by virtue of riding in the front seat of Dad's '72 Buick. No sir. We could hardly wait to pass the rustic "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" signpost announcing we'd entered our vacation destination. We were bound for Rocky Mountain National Park and two weeks that would ultimately define my adult life. Driving west toward Loveland, I strained my eyes to spy the mountaintops, unsure if I was seeing clouds or snow-capped peaks. Big Thompson Canyon made my heart pound and my spirit danced as we entered the majestic national park. During that family adventure I felt the mountains calling me as if they knew my name. Deep in my teenaged bones I knew someday I'd make Colorado my home. Years later, after high school, college and marriage, I found myself cajoling my newlywed husband to move to Boulder, "just for the summer." I was determined to introduce him to Colorado and my favorite national park. To my great relief, he loved it here as much as I did. We never moved back to Iowa that summer. Instead we found jobs, an apartment and a dog. We put down roots. Rocky Mountain National Park became our family's favorite playground and after 21 years of making Colorado our home, we claim Rocky as "our park." And we still follow tradition by happily piling our hands together at the windshield whenever we drive past that "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" landmark. Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompass is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and 200-300 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Mail to EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or e-mail: editor@colorado.aaa.com. A response to a submission may take six to eight weeks. Return to Table of Contents

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