Mountain awe... does it last? (Denver, Frisco: transplants, rental, hotel)

[fierce_flawless]

Okay, this might sound like an odd question. Bear with me.

We visited CO (Denver, Co Springs, Breckenridge, etc) in March of this year. I have only been around mountains before this when I was a kid, 10 or 11 years old.. and I just don't remember that much from those trips. I was probably asleep half the time in my Grandparent's RV. So, when we first arrived it in CO it was dark, and we went straight to our hotel. The next day we took off in the rental van to explore and drove about 2 blocks, and the first thing I saw were the mountains straight ahead... I almost hyperventilated! I was just so awe struck! I seriously had a hard time focusing on the road. It was sunny, fairly warm, no visible snow, but gorgeous.

I didn't think anything could top that feeling, until a few days later when we drove towards Breckenridge and the view changed from sunny, green, mountains, to snow capped and white everywhere. I had to pull the van over... it was so gorgeous it brought me to tears!! Keep in mind I'm from Texas, and have only experienced snow a handful of times as a kid when visiting family for Christmas in Maryland.

So here I am back in Texas (ugh)... and don't laugh, but when I see the stupid Coors beer billboards with the snow-capped mountains in the background, I feel this wistful longing like no other. It's almost a physical ache. When we are driving at night in the Tx Hill Country, we will joke that if you squint a lot you could almost pretend those are the mountains up ahead (they're really just decent sized hills).... and I am just wondering, for those that have lived in the area for a while, specifically those who transplanted; does this sense of wonder leave you? Do even these majestic mountains eventually become ordinary?

I wonder if people feel this way the first time they see the ocean? I wouldn't know, as I grew up with it being part of my every day experience. And yes, it's beautiful, and I can appreciate that beauty...but it was never breathtaking in the same way (for me). Soothing, yes. Awe-inspiring, not as much.

Weird question, I know.

[jazzlover]

If you truly love the mountains, then no, the awe does not leave you. Unfortunately, many people do not equate awe with love and respect for what they see. Far too many people, not limited to transplants, but often prevalent among them, feel that they have to possess what they see. These shallow, selfish, narcissistic asses have to build their trophy home in the middle of the grandeur--not understanding that its (and their) presence desecrates that which they profess to "love." The beauty of an empty mountain valley surrounded by unspoiled mountains is beautiful because it is empty and unspoiled. Filling it with man-made crap does nothing but defile it. The wilderness adage is seldom adhered to, but is the only real truth when it comes to the beauty of the Rockies, "Take only memories, leave only footprints." Unfortunately, our self-indulged society becomes ever more so all the time--destroying and defiling our most rare and precious landscapes more each day--in Colorado's case, mostly so spoiled metropolitan brats can have a comfortable place in the mountains where they can go to goof off. And we wonder why the country is in trouble . . .

[Josseppie]

I have lived in Colorado most of my life and still love the mountains. I want to buy a cabin some day so I can spend weekends and holidays and go sking etc....

[jim9251]

My sister has lived on the western slope for over 30 years. She still sits every evening on her patio and stares at the San Juans. She told me "they're living, they change". I've been there several times and plan to move there, not to change things, but to appreciate what Colorado and the mountains offer. I hope in 30 years I will still be in awe.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

no, the awe never leaves. I moved to Colorado 30 years ago and still LOVE the mountains. My husband and I takes trips all over the state and still find places that knock your socks off. You can see the same places different times of year and see different things. It's great!

When I drive to work in the morning and come around the curve on the highway and see that vista opening up in front of me, especially in the morning light, it excites me every time. Like you say, hard to keep your eyes on the road when you have such beauty to look at.

[sunsprit]

Not after 40+ years has the "awe" stopped. With the climate and seasonal growth each year, plus the snow cover variation in the views ... it's all an incredibly varied scene, even when you're looking at the same mountains year after year.

[Mike Weber]

I love the mountains, and never get tired of them. However, sometimes in the rush of everyday life, it is easy to take them for granted. My daily commute used to be by bicycle from Frisco to Dillon every day for almost 3 years. Sometimes I would go a few days without looking across the lake. Now that I no longer live there, I feel that ache when I think of that view. I still try to get into the special places as often as possible, and cherish the time there.

[brightdoglover]

I only visit Colorado (from the East) and never ever get "used to" the sight of the mountains. It never looks the way it did the first time, when you'd never seen anything like it! But if the landscape you see gets into your soul, no, you never take it for granted.
I know some people get the feeling of eternity (for lack of a better word) with the ocean, or the stars. I get it from the mountains. Thinking about my relationship to them and geologic time puts me into very good perspective about how tiny I am and eternal other things are. Plus, of course, they are always just plain gorgeous.

[rkb0305]

I have only been here for 2 years, but I still stare at the Rockies when ever I can. Someday I will probably get in an accident at the 470/I25 interchange because I am in awe of the snow capped mts. I hope it doesn't go away!

[froggin4colorado]

Still aweing after 15 years. In fact, went down to the Sand Dunes today and I still love the view....don't care for the San Luis Valley, but love those mtns!