Pueblo Colorado

The scenery really didn’t change very much from Kansas to Colorado, at least until about 30 miles from Pueblo. That is where I got my first glimpse of the mountains to the west. Pikes Peak, the Greenhorn and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range forms a scenic alpine backdrop to Pueblo State Park where my two day home was to be. The park is located on the massive Pueblo Dam area which is a year round recreation resource. My drive into the park offered beautiful mountains that you see below. My camping area also provided me with a great front porch view. Mildly strong winds rocked me to sleep that evening.
The town closest to the park was actually Pueblo West which really did not have much to see, so I headed in Pueblo itself and the Chamber of Commerce to discover that Pueblo really has much to offer. Pueblo was established in 1861 and the Historic District along Union Avenue was packed with buildings built before 1900. Even the locals find it interesting. Can you find me taking the picture of an old building and the woman looking at me in the reflective glass, or was she just walking across the street?
The Union Depot which was built in 1889 is a preserved example of the train history of our past and an example of how important the train was to our expanding country. The Pueblo Railway Museum had many trains that are considered important to that history. They also preserved, at least in replica, some signs displaying the prejudice of the times.
I found out that this little town is the headquarters for the Professional Bull Riders Association. Who would have guessed?
I visited the High Vista Fine Art Gallery and picked a few pieces I thought interesting, but fine art, questionable. Enjoy some pictures.  TC...
                                         
                                              Entering the park.

                                                            

Not a bad front porch view.

            

        Ok, let's play where is TC... 

Yippes...what's left?

                               From the High Vista Fine Arts Gallery.   
                                   I have always loved Sun Flowers. 

Traveling To Dodge City

Rt. 156 South West turns into 56 West which in turn becomes Rt. 50, my old friend that I was happy to get back onto on my way to Dodge City. The landscape is considerably different than that of the Ellsworth area in the sense that there are not as many hills, but you still know you are in Kansas. I call the landscape “Beautiful Nothingness”. I knew I was in the Mid West when I came across the middle of the United States in the town of Kinsley. The wind farm was in Spearville. Enjoy a few photos. TC…

Beautiful Nothingness....

ARRIVAL IN DODGE

I checked into the Water Sports Campground  just a few blocks away from all the action here in Dodge.  Reasonable and convenient.  The casino out of town on the 50 bypass is only about 6 months old, so I guess it was is allowing first timers to win as a form of advertisement.  I was a first timer there and I walked away with $118.00.  Not a bad morning.  The Boot Hill Museum and complex is a very interesting site packed with Western history.  The kind of things that I came to Dodge City for.  Fort Dodge was next on my list and it too was loaded with interesting buildings and facts.  The  great surprise I received was while driving back to camp.I had noticed a huge spread of cows going towards the fort. I was curious as to what it was and headed up the long dirt road to what appeared to be farm looking buildings.  I flagged down a truck heading toward me to ask what was going on and met Ed Arnold.  Not Eddie Arnold, like the singer.  We both got a laugh out of that and Ed told me he has heard it all  before about that.

Ed holds a position with Commercial  Feed Lot which basically takes in other farmers cows and fattens them for the market by providing there own grain that they make on site.  He took me around in his truck and have me a tour.  There were about 15 thousand cattle on site which Ed said is about half of what they used to hold.  Economy. If you've never smelled 15 thousand cattle, believe me it is unique to put it mildly.  Ed said is has been doing this for so long he is used to it.  I also past Southwestern Livestock, Inc.  which is an auction facility that was getting read for an up coming auction.  I stayed for a good while and watched the horses and spoke with a few people who are selling the pinto in the picture.

All in all, today was a great day in Dodge. Now I'll "Get out of Dodge" tomorrow.  I've always wanted to say that!  Enjoy some pictures. TC...

        Remember Miss Kittie and Matt?

           King Of The Hill anyone?

"

                          Ed Arnold