Pikes Peak is one of the highest places in the U.S. Move slowly or you'll pass out. While there, I ate a high altitude donut.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Arrival at Colorado Springs
Gas stop
The most interesting places on a trip are often the people and places along the way. They are a little bit of America that nobody really gets to see. And so it was that I made a gas stop at La Junta CO.
Not a soul was around. Just the sounds of clear fresh air and the song of a bird.
But, there was history here.
Four decades or so after the Bents built their fort, the fur trade era had passed into history. The Indian Wars and the buffalo had passed into history. So had the Bents. The railroads were pre-eminent, bringing commerce, settlers, and what passed for civilization to the American West. La Junta was one of the offshoots of the changing times.
On May 15, 1881, the residents of a small village at the side of the rails then running east and west on the south bank of the Arkansas River incorporated and formed themselves as "The City of La Junta." It is said that a herd of antelope ran down what passed for Main Street, leading to the presence of the animals on the city seal today. La Junta was a railroad town from the beginning. In the more than one hundred years since that day in 1881, La Junta has waxed and waned with the fortunes of commerce. In the heyday of rail travel, La Junta was a transportation hub for produce and cattle shipments. Residents in the early part of the century built a town of substance overlooking the low valley of the Arkansas, planting elm trees in profusion as they developed the city's resources.
And yes, there were Indians here too, and they might have been Jewish. Well, at least they were Koshare.
And then the Rocky Mountains came into view
It's only a 3-1/2 hr flight between Hot Springs & Colorado Springs, but it passes over the fields and paths that are the stories of legends. Manhattan & Dodge City Kansas, Cheyenne, and so many others.
I could imagine a heard of buffalo, Sheriff Matt Dillion at Dodge, cattle rustlers, and long lines of Conestoga wagons pushing Westward in search of Gold and a new life.
What was it they were seeking that made them risk they lives to make the journey?
Leaving Hot Springs for Colorado Springs
With temps the prior day at 104, I figured I had better leave early. I planned for a 7:15 departure, but found myself at the airport at 5:15. Oops, they are on Central Time !!! So, I waited for daybreak, and off I went.
Hot Springs was HOT
When I arrived, the temp was 104 . . . and the hotel a/c was broken. But fortunately, the a/c in the rooms worked.. They say, "timing is everything". When I checked in to the hotel, I jokingly asked if there might be a belly dancer convention. Well, the answer was no, but as fate would have it, they were have "The StrongMan Convention"
Boy was that an intimidating dinner.
Boy was that an intimidating dinner.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Crossing the Mighty Muddy Mississippi
Truly amazing how the terrain changes as you travel North & West
Saturday Morning
One of the problems with going on a long trip is not being able to sleep the night before. But, the coffee is made, a the stars are out and it's 5:30 am. Walk the dogs, feed the cats and I'm out-a-here.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday Night - Before the trip
It's Friday night. I'll be leaving early in the morning. The Cirrus SR22 has a fresh oil change, a new painted prop. and all tuned up and ready to go. I've checked the weather and it all looks good, except arrival will be hot; about 103 or so.
Hopefully, I'll be wheels up by 7:15 or so.
The first leg will be a short of about 250 miles to Cross City where I'll make a fuel stop (cheap gas) and then on to famed Hot Springs Arkansas for the night.
Hopefully, I'll be wheels up by 7:15 or so.
The first leg will be a short of about 250 miles to Cross City where I'll make a fuel stop (cheap gas) and then on to famed Hot Springs Arkansas for the night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)