Photo: Frank Petronio

Just White
By GEOFF WILLIAMSON

The pavement started to disappear—slowly at first, but soon I was floating the bald tires of the Buick through several inches of slick fluff and straining to see (not to mention stay on) the road. Half an hour earlier, cruising along I-70, it started to snow and I realized the unfamiliar drive south might be a bit of an adventure. But as I gunned the old silver boat higher and higher, it felt even more than that. It felt as though I was entering some other world.

Flip the wipers to "HI." Easy on the gas, easy on the brakes. Avoid sudden movements. Stay off the shoulder. This road just keeps going up. No cars in sight. Should I have chains on? White, everything is white. The road, the sky, the trees, the hood of the car. White. Still climbing. White.

What do you mean, Why do I want to move to Leadville? My friend wore a puzzled grin. Seriously? Leadville? Yeah, it's really high. Main Street is over 10,000 feet, or so I'm told. I hear there used to be some mining there, but not so much anymore. Killer peaks nearby, tons over fourteen. I just really want to check it out.

Through the busy wipers the whiteness broke just enough for me to see the sign. My destination was just around the corner, and the Buick and I both sighed with relief. The anxiety and isolation of the drive lifted as I anticipated my first glimpse of what could be my new home. I wanted to see the mountains I already knew from guidebooks. To eye new winter descents and summer climbs.

I veered around one corner hoping for that classic Colorado view, a backdrop of mountains towering over town. Nothing. Just white.

I saw a few gas stations through the snow, but little more. Foolishly, I still had hope. I coasted around a final corner and realized I had arrived. At least it looked like I was on the main drag. But no mountains. Just white.

The snow piled up on sidewalks and the clouds seemed to smother the entire town in a blanket of sky. Where was I? What was this place? I could barely see a drugstore sign a few blocks away. Were the mountains even out there?

The faint outlines of buildings faded into the sky, tiny islands in a sea of icy white. Just white.

                                                                                        Next: number 2


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