Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. For the second time this year, I found myself driving through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Though my mind was elsewhere, I couldn’t help but step away from my own mind to marvel at the structure before me. I tend to be intrigued by what some people might consider life’s simplicities. From lamp posts, to trees, clouds and even tunnels. Let us explore one of Colorado’s most traveled bores. Number five on CNN’s greatest tunnels list, and number two in the World’s Most Popular Mechanics list. 

As I approached it, I found myself thinking, “This would be an interesting adventure to take my readers on.” So, here we are. Westbound construction began on the 15th of March in 1968. The official opening was March 8, 1973. The eastbound bore construction was completed four days after my birth, on December 21, 1979. The tunnel has had many names throughout its history. The Straight Creek Tunnel, Eisenhower Memorial Bore, Johnson Memorial Tunnel and what is today its most popular name, The Eisenhower Tunnel. It is the corridor between the Rocky Mountains eastern slope and western slope. The tunnel passes through the continental divide, resting at over 11,000 feet above sea level. This makes it the highest vehicle tunnel in the world. 

You can experience the 3.39-mile structure for yourself by driving roughly 60 miles west of Denver on I-70. Please remember, that though you are on the highway, you are still driving through the home of our wildlife and they don’t always look before they cross. Roaming on the highway is never my preferred method of traveling. However, it can offer you great opportunities to spot all sorts of wildlife.

My first time on Interstate 70, 13 years ago, I was stopped two miles east of the tunnel by a herd of Elk; another time, it was a herd of Rocky Mountain BigHorn Sheep. The last two times? Traffic.

A friend once reminded me that whether for a day, a week or a month, traveling is exciting, but it comes with its ups and downs, like everything else. Regardless of where my mind tends to wander, or why I find myself on the highway, I’m always fascinated by structures, the reasons behind their existence and the things that surround them. I don’t mind adventure or its surprises. If I could, I would spend the remainder of my days traveling and writing about it. 

(Originally published in the November 12, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)