This new year has marked my tenth year of living in Colorado. Sometimes it just feels like forever, as though I grew up here and know the place like the back of my hand. Other times, when I look around, I feel like I barely know the place and have only lived here a short while. It's an interesting disparity and one that I've set out recently to try to even out.
A few months ago I picked up my first Colorado history book, an ancient edition that someone through out on the free table at work. I had it sitting on my shelf at home for a few years as well, but I figured if the job was done right the first time the history wouldn't exactly be changing so there really wasn't a hurry. But, in truth, there was a hurry as I really should be obligated, upon moving here even, to learn a bit about the place I'm living in.

Whenever I travel I always pick up a history book or two on the place I'm going. I think it's only fair to do this. Learning about a particular place also helps offer some perspective. I mean, yeah, it's great to see the pyramids or the Great Wall of China, but why are they so special? Why were they built? What's the story? In reading these books I try to learn and understand such things so I can better appreciate the place I'm going when I get there.

Well, when I moved to Colorado I never did this. And that book just sat there staring at me from my shelf, cluttered amongst all my other books, for years. At times I think I noticed it's tattered cover looking up at me with a sad face as though it understood I was neglecting it because it was ugly, faded and bent up. When I came to the realization that I knew nothing about the place I now call home, I rifled through the pages as though it were the latest best seller.

I wanted to learn more though. The one book wasn't enough as I knew there was no way they could've covered everything in just a few hundred pages. I was thus quite excited when I received Roadside History of Colorado for Christmas. It's not just a regular, old history book, but one that is built for the traveler as it's written with roadtrips in mind.

I've learned a few things with my new book and am now excited to take it on the road with me and give it a bit of a test as I visit some of the many great places in Colorado I have yet to go. I'm sure it, a clever mix between history and travel, will do wonderfully. It's now another good book that's helped me learn about the place where I live and travel, something that we should all take upon ourselves.