The spiritual mecca of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.
As the road stretches out before us, I’m grateful for the company of my best friend, knowing that no matter where we end up, the journey together is what truly matters.
~Unknown
We drove from Little Rock to Crestone in two easy but long, uneventful days, arriving in Crestone late Sunday afternoon. Both of us were tired and a bit cranky, which is understandable considering the miles spent in the car and lack of sleep Saturday night.
At 7,900 ft, Crestone is a magical place dotted with spiritual landmarks. Our little cottage is within walking distance of one of the three Stupas in the area. The spiritual frequency is high, the vibe is chill, and love is certainly in the air.
But still, the love and chill vibe did not prevent my altitude sickness: shortness of breath, lack of physical energy, and nausea. This sickness triggered challenging emotions, which brought tears and physical discharge (body trembling and shaking).
My reaction to the elevation was surprising. I lived in the Rocky Mountains for more than 30 years, have returned to visit multiple times, and have never experienced any physical reactions. Nothing to do but wait it out, rest, drink lots of water, and allow my body to assimilate and adjust to the thinness of the air.
The intensity of my emotions was not so surprising. I’m back here in all this beauty of the Rocky Mountains, where my beloved Craig and I lived. Memories—most good, a few painful—are like ghosts haunting me. I’m torn between the grief of loss and the joy of being in a place I call home–Colorado.
Naturally, I’m emotional, and it is okay.
Altitude sickness is gone and my emotions are leveling out. I am grateful for my tools: breathwork, movement (no matter how slow), meditation, and journaling. These practices allow me to release my fear and anxiety and return, once again, to my natural state of inner peace.
Today, we move on to Hotchkiss, where we will meet old friends again. I’m looking forward to this next chapter.
As Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.”