This morning found me in a Salida, CO auto glass shop to get a windshield chip repaired. On the way up from Santa Fe yesterday, the speed limit dropped to 45 because there was loose gravel on the road. This, of course, didn't stop a fine citizen from California from blowing past me and throwing up a rock which struck our windshield like a rifle shot. Anyone who's ever owned a Honda Element knows that the nearly vertical windshield is a rock magnet, and Marie soon found the chip. Getting it fixed quickly was a priority to avoid it growing into a crack. Clear Advantage Glass did a great job and had me out the door in less than 45 minutes.
Pulling out of the motel lot, we had a clear view of the snow still remaining in the Rockies.
We took a quick spin through downtown - what a quaint little mountain/river town.
On the way through the canyon toward Canon City, the Arkansas River kept us company. There were lots of rafters braving the rapids, which looked mighty rough to us. Might have to give that a try sometime.
Farther down the road, I looked across the river and saw a bear and her two cubs ambling down a ramp toward the river. Happened too fast to capture on "film". In Canon City we happened upon this "wagon o' antlers" in a trading post parking lot.
We decided to go in, enticed by the invitation to see "The Real West". Evidently, the real west consists of lots of dead animals. There were elk and deer heads, stuffed porcupines and rabbits, coyote pelts, antlers and various animal skulls for sale. I felt like I'd stumbled into a poacher's camp. One quick lap and we were out of there.
From there we headed to Colorado Springs. As we passed Fort Carson, the fences and overpasses were decorated with sheets and signs welcoming home family members from overseas. As Marie noted, it was really a touching sight.
From there is was on to the vast flatlands of eastern Colorado and western Kansas. "Highlights" included the world's smallest McDonalds - I think there might have been three tables (and two restrooms) and seeing the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, always a highlight.
Most of western Kansas looked like this.
If it looks blurry, that's how it looked to us, too. Huge expanses of farmland, with the occasional copse of trees hiding a farmhouse, and huge grain elevators every so many exits. Once we got out of the Rockies, this was a pretty numbing day of travel. Tonight we're in Salina, KS. But there's hope - tomorrow we're heading for Haubstadt, IN!
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