The bridge home

Dear Editor:

The bridge replacement in Glenwood Springs got off to a rough start. On the first day, there were unexpected back-ups on I-70 all the way to Rifle. On the second day, a section of the old bridge was dropped on the east wing street of Grand Avenue, damaging a pillar of the new bridge, which may put off the 95-day estimated completion time.

My sole experience with the outage came when I had to go to Grand Junction. I considered going over McClure Pass until I heard that CDOT was diverting semis that way. I didn’t relish the thought of getting behind a string of 18-wheelers in low compound going over the pass.

So I took the bus through Glenwood Springs and I was very impressed with how efficiently RFTA got it done. The walk across the pedestrian bridge was no problem. I allowed for plenty of time and got to Grand Junction three hours early.

I know it’s a pain, but it was a beautiful sight seeing all those people walking, biking, and taking the bus. I hope they keep it up after the new bridge is in, not just for the sake of the traffic, but for the sake of the climate.

Other than one trip to Grand Junction, I have avoided Glenwood Springs like the plague. I no longer swim at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool or shop at the Glenwood Springs City Market. I swim at the John Fleet Pool and shop at the Carbondale City Market.

Both switches have been very pleasant. I find I have more energy swimming my mile in the cooler water and my experience at the Carbondale City Market has been heart-warming.

I checked through the automatic cashier and asked for $40 cash. I walked away forgetting the cash, as I’m prone to do in my old age. About an hour later, I realized my mistake and went back. The cash was gone and nobody had turned it in.

“Oh well,” I said to the cashier, ”Guess I’ll have to pull out 40 more in the ATM.”

Pretty soon, here comes the cashier with $40 in her hand. She said a woman overheard our conversation and asked the cashier to give me the money. I asked the cashier to identify her and she said she preferred to remain anonymous.

Only in a small town.

Fred Malo Jr.

Carbondale