Random Roadside Gems...

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 If you're on a road trip with me and I happen to see something random on the side of the road, prepare to turn around to check it out.  That's the type of impromptu traveler I am in this wonderful journey of life!  It's not always about the final destination but also about the journey along the way.  A quick little side story...

Last year while visiting Colorado for a few weeks, I was on this dating app called Bumble.  A friend at the time had recommended it to me as a way to check out the "dating material" in the state of Colorado.  One thing I did not know is that while you're traveling, the app tells anyone in your selected/desired "hive" your location.  I was confused at first while, because I was getting messages from guys in SC: "Hey, you're at Denver International Airport!"  "Hey, what are you doing in Boulder?"  Since, I have deleted my membership to this app, as that cannot be safe for any woman in this day in age.  I was told that the function helps reduce catfishing (where, for example, a person in Nigeria, could be posing as being a resident of Colorado).  Still, very unsafe, in my opinion.  Anyways, while traveling back from Aspen, a resident there, after learning that I was out adventuring, recommended this place on my way journey back to Ft. Collins called the "Valley of the Naked Dolls."  I found the place, and as I rolled up this dirt path in my rental car, I got some serious "House of 1,000 Corpses" vibes.  Literally the creepy looking "compound" and parking lot looked like the set out of that horror flick.  Trusting my intuition as one of those really strong stabs in my stomach, I threw my Yaris in reverse, and high-tailed it on out of there.  However, upon Googling this hidden "gem," it's so very RANDOM and I could see why this guy recommended it to me.

Okay, side story completed...now back to the regularly scheduled program:

Recently, I was traveling through Walsenburg, Colorado when I saw something peculiar out of left side peripheral vision while driving down the road.  I turned around to find this neat little gem called the "Virgin Mary Grotto"...(LOCATION: North on US-160, just past Highway 351...near the roadside for "Spanish Peaks")



So this is a natural rock formation/alcove that was transformed into a shrine for Mary.  Here people give offerings to include: belts, key rings, strands of hair, ballcaps, crosses, gloves, belts, socks, and t-shirts.  The many offerings are a symbol of both faith and humility.

Here are some more shots of this roadside gem:











Thanks so much for visiting!  May your journey have some random and unplanned little side adventures.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week ahead! 

Love, 

Kimmie

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