Jim and I visited my dad on Saturday, which meant a drive on the slightly wild side for us, in more ways than one.

First, we had to traverse what I consider the scariest highway in Colorado. Not because it features winding roads and steep slopes, but because the highway is dotted with numerous crosses and flowers marking the spots where unfortunate travelers have lost their lives, usually attributed to excessive speed on stretches filled with blind curves. I hate that road. But it's the best way to Westcliffe, where my dad lives and my mom used to own property on which we camped with the girls many summers running.

After the Highway o' Death, we passed Supermax, the penitentiary housing "the worst of the worst," including Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, Terry Nichols, Sammy the Bull Gravano, Zacarias Moussaiou (of 9/11 attacks), Ramzi Yousef (of 1993 WTC bombing) and many other infamous criminals, past and present. I'm always intrigued by the calm and quiet exterior, knowing what horrible monsters reside inside.

Soon after Supermax, we came upon one of the many wildfires currently plaguing our state, this one in the San Isabel Forest. We were stopped by a sheriff and told it was safe to travel through the area — the road had opened just hours before — as long as we stayed at 25 mph and watched for the firefighters on both sides of the road as "their eyes are focused on other things."

Firetrucks, helicopters, and "hot shots" vehicles were visible along the stretch, and we got to see helicopters dropping water on the hot spots. (Slightly blurry photo as we were driving ... and watching for firefighters.)

Once we were safely through the wildfire area, we were delighted by the animals. We saw bighorn sheep ...

and what I thought were baby bighorns (but my Dad said they were likely mountain goats).

We also saw deer ...

and yielded to deer ...

and saw even more deer.

Then we rounded a bend and saw the Sangre de Cristos ahead.

We got closer ...

and closer ...

then eventually rolled into town at the base of the range.

After some fine food, good conversation, and a bit of instruction for my dad and stepmom on how to use Facebook, Jim and I were on our way, back on the road and doing the trip in reverse.

With fond farewells, of course, from our newfound friends as they foraged for dinner.