During the last few months of surviving road construction, a few things have provided a bit of comic relief. None, more so than waiting at a stoplight in the canyon and reading the sign posted at said stoplight.
“If signals are flashing, contact 970-260-8719”
I literally had a LOL moment because at that moment I was in “The Narrows”, the steepest part of Boulder Canyon. As you might guess from its name, it is the narrowest and deepest part of the canyon, with sheer granite walls rising on either side.
And there is not a lick of cell reception.
Clearly, the signs were produced by some CDOT sign-making fellow who produced these generic signs, not specifically for Boulder Canyon, but for road construction anywhere in the state. And the CDOT folks or the contractors hired, did their due diligence and placed them at the stoplight as they were directed.
I wondered at that moment, what should I do if the lights really were flashing? Take a chance and proceed anyway? Turn around and go home and call said number?
Out of curiosity, I called the number one evening and got some guy named Russ. He didn’t seem to know anything about road construction in Boulder Canyon. Interesting, and even more amusing. (CDOT, if you’re reading this, you might want to take those signs down, so Russ can get some sleep.)
When I shared the stories of my daily adventures in the canyon with my colleague at work, he had a suggestion.
“Maybe they should put cell towers in Boulder Canyon. You know they put them in Clear Creek Canyon, right?”
For a moment, I paused. Maybe he had a point. With cell service, you could call in a stuck bus, or report road conditions of the moment to your spouse, friend or neighbor. I could have called Russ while sitting right at the stoplight and asked him about the flashing stoplights.
But then, I had a moment of clarity. Memories of cars crashing into trees, cars in Boulder Creek, cars colliding with bears overtook me.
Driving Boulder Canyon is precarious enough with someone mostly paying attention to the road. It’s downright frightening on a winter’s day when it’s snowing.
The thought of someone texting or talking on the phone, while trying to drive the canyon on a sunny and dry day would almost surely bring about many more accidents. Then combine that with sketchy weather, and the amount of possible accidents would almost certainly skyrocket.
“No, the one thing that has always comforted me driving the canyon is the knowledge that with no cell service, people at least won’t be distracted by texting or talking on the phone. I’m fine with leaving it the way it is.”
Technology and the advent of smart phones and cellular phone service has helped so many of stay connected.
Maybe too connected.
Sometimes, it’s better to be in the moment, focused on what’s right in front of you.
Like the road.
