In Colorado

Hi from Gunnison, Colorado!

I'm sitting at the library waiting for 3:30 to roll around. We have an appointment for the van to get its brakes fixed. Yesterday we were driving down I-70 when we heard an awful CLUNK! We figure some important part of the brakes must have fallen off, because ever since then, there's this horrible grinding noise whenever mom steps on them. It also sounds like a nest of mice have taken residence in the brake housing. Squeak squeak squeak!

Mom had decided a few days earlier that she wants my van when we get back home. Maybe this van caught wind of it and is protesting...

We should be home in a week or so. I may have to get a library card at this place if the repair takes a while. :-) Currently I'm betting the repair bill will be 261.53, mom says 150, and Sam says 200. It's a good thing I recently got my own credit card!

Anyhoo, the scenery has been beautiful. We've been to Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, Curecanti, Colorado National Monument, Capitol Reef, and a few others. It's actually the cheapest way to travel, since mom gets a 50% discount on camping fees in the National Park System.

If you're legally disabled, you can get a Golden Access passport. It entitles you to free entrance to all units in the National Park system (388+) and half price camping.

If you're over the age of 62, you're entitled to a $10. Golden Age passport, which entitles you just to the free entrance.

If you're neither, you can buy a Park Pass for $50, which entitles you to free entrance.