Back in the USA

It's starting day two in the US.

Arrived to a rain storm of legendary magnitude for Colorado...over 4 inches of rain the evening we arrived. In Panama during the rainy season, we get 4 inches most days. But, this is Colorado, a high desert, so the rain was needed and caused problems.

It is also cold by our standards with a high of 53 degrees yesterday. Feels like the holidays to me.

I just looked out the window at the incredible view of Pikes Peak covered with snow! We couldn't see this yesterday because of the low hanging clouds and rain. What a view! I do love Colorado in the summer. The rest of the year sucks and I mean sucks...cold and grey for 8 months...blah.

What's my impression of the the US after being gone for 2 years?

The roads are as wide as football fields and COMPLEX. I have to re-learn how to navigate the proper lanes to get where I'm going. Very confusing, and the traffic is FAST!

So many businesses, mainly the mom and pop variety, are no longer in business. Every time I try to meet someone at an old coffee shop or restaurant, I arrive to a closed business.

That is sad.

And the tension!

I forgot how fast I lived when I was here. It's kind of like sticking your fingers into an electric socket...a constant buzz.

Some of the old twitches and tension mannerisms have returned already. I have a sore neck from tensing it.

I had no idea how much the pace of life in Colorado impacted me. I don't care for it anymore.

The best part is seeing friends and family.

We got to meet our week old granddaughter, hang out with our daughter and her husband, and I've visited with a friend. These old relationships are steep in history and warmth.

Plus, we went shopping. So much we can't get in Panama or it is too expensive to ship it to Panama. We have saved up to buy this stuff.

When driving through Colorado Springs, I notice how much land is dedicated to shopping. Huge, vast tracks of land for miles and miles dedicated to big box stores, the same ones in the same groups occur every couple of miles.

How in the hell do they stay in business?

I'm getting ready for todays adventure so adios.