hanging up the Truck keys

the pics of Como are mostly used they've all been posted and thoroughly perused, what few are left I'll save for a day when pics are scarce and I've little to say.

Mountains around Como Colorado.

After responding to Larry's comment this morning, I had more time to think about "hanging up the keys" when one's driving ability deteriorates to the point where there a hazard to oneself and others. I hope to make the right decision. And it occurred to me that I've already been making some of those decisions.

Without realizing it, I had already decided several years ago that my night vision was so poor that I don't drive at night unless it's an emergency. This was a relatively easy decision since my lifestyle doesn't require that I drive at night. And since I'm mostly in control of what I do, I don't do things at night.

You won't find me driving around in the dark, searching for a campsite. Since I don't drive long distances, you will usually find me camped by lunchtime. This is especially important for a boondocker like myself because finding a boondocking spot may require poking around on some dirt roads, which you definitely don't want to do in the dark.

Another thing I'm noticing more and more is I don't like to deal with traffic, especially heavy, fast-moving traffic. I've noticed my reaction times are not nearly as quick as they used to be, my hearing is getting worse, and I'm really starting to see the need for cataract surgery in my right eye to the point that I avoid going places where there's a lot of traffic as much as possible, which is fairly easy for me since I can go places and do things on my schedule when traffic is light.

Fortunately, since I have very few schedules in my life, I can avoid driving in traffic to the extent that I will go around cities before I drive through them, even though it takes extra miles to do so. I can easily bypass the cities of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; most of Tucson, Arizona; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. In fact, Denver is the only place where I have to drive through traffic, and I dread every minute of it and don't do it unless it's necessary, like going to Walmart to buy groceries.

I consider myself lucky that I don't have a desire to hang around big cities or do anything in big cities, and I am far happier in little towns where my dwindling driving skills aren't challenged every few minutes by folks who are late for work.

Theboondork

Ghost towns not only have old buildings, some of them have old trailers too.....although I don't think any self-respecting ghost would be caught dead in one.

Old cabin in Como Colorado.

Not every building in Como is falling into ruin. Some folks with money remodel the old buildings, and use them for Summer homes..... since you would have to be out of your mind to want to live here during the winter.

Back in the old days it took the lure of gold to get people to stay here during the winter, but now the lure of the white stuff brings folks to the ski areas around here during Winter.