I hope everybody appreciated the title of my blog post. It took me a long time to think of, and if anyone happens to listen to Joe Walsh (of Eagles fame), you might understand the reference to his song “Rocky Mountain Way”.
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite songs of all time. Beyond the guitar masterclass from Joe Walsh, the whole song is just so deeply evocative of Colorado and Colorado culture. For context, both of my parents are from Colorado and I have spent a considerable, formative chunk of my life running around the plentiful rivers and streams of Montezuma County. These experiences made me into the person that I am today.
MY American Dream is apparent in Colorado in a number of ways. I want to emphasize that this is my American Dream and I know it won’t apply to everyone. But for me, this is important.
Firstly, and obviously, and boringly, Colorado citizens are American citizens. They hold the same rights and freedoms as citizens from almost every other state, and maybe slightly more freedoms than Texans. So, if we say the American Dream exists and extends to American citizens, then clearly the American Dream extends to Coloradan citizens. But that is not the idea that I am trying to communicate through this blog post. Instead, I am trying to show ways in which I feel that I have lived out the American Dream in Colorado (and why I think Colorado is more conducive to my American Dream than a random state like Delaware, or something).
John Denver correctly asserted “though he’d be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly”. I heavily resent the fact that Americans, especially my generation, seem to spend more time indoors than we used to. I have to beg my buddies to come hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. There seems to be a growing feeling of disinterest in these kinds of hobbies. This also comes as a sort of culture shock considering that my dad and my brothers never hesitate to embark on these journeys with me. And this is precisely why I think my idea of the American Dream is more accessible in Colorado; Coloradans (at least the ones I know (including mom and dad)) spend time outdoors! That’s kind of a big deal in the state. If you live in Colorado, there’s a good chance you are a recreational angler, hunter, hiker, or possibly even something more obscure like a stargazer (Colorado night skies are beautiful).
Why can’t I hunt and fish in big cities? Why are there no hiking trails among the skyscrapers of metro areas? Why can’t I breathe properly in certain parts of our country?
Colorado is a state that is very conscious of preservation. The people of Colorado care about their state, not only the idea of their state but the literal earth under their feet that makes up the state’s beautiful landscape. I feel a sense of shame knowing that this is not something that is valued by every American. I hate litterbugs. I hate the idea of landfills. Sort of off-topic (seems to be a theme), but I hate how governments can own land and then require Americans to pay to access it.1
I was going to go to college in Colorado, and this may be the only thing I regret about the state, but it was going to cost too much money. I still plan on living in Colorado when I am older. Until then, I will be visiting family and taking advantage of my time spent in my 2nd favorite state (I have to represent Oklahoma).
- This brings to mind another song lyric, from Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”.
“They took all the trees, put ’em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see ’em” ↩︎