May 24, 2014 (33rd Day)

The sky was grey, the ground brown when we exited the van, but we were happy and smiling because we are alive and well and traveling! The sun must be an early riser cause it was already fairly high in the sky behind the thin grey clouds at 6:15 am!

We decided that we were going to eat out for breakfast.

The campground we stayed in was unusual in that we have a coin operated shower to discourage long hot showers! Rats!

We stopped to see an old train engine and windmill/water tower display in Lamar, Colorado at the train station. There was a wing that is part of wind turbine, and it was really very very long!  While there Erwin asked a local for breakfast suggestions

And the lady suggested Hickory House that is a few blocks down the street, so we went.  It was a good meal for us. Hearty portions!

Past the restaurant we saw wood petrified gas station that now belongs to a car dealership.

Close-up look of the petrified wood

On 287 then US 50 (Santa Fe Trail - America Byways) to check one Roadside attraction.

After driving past a very HUGE stockyard, and oh boy, what a strong smell! Even after few miles from it we still could smell it!

We went to check out John Martin Reservior State Park to find out about eagle nesting, but the eagles have left the area some weeks before. There was not much to see at the park, so we did not hang around much longer and left. 

Back to US 50. Turn right to State Highway 194 to County Road JJ to Junkrassic Park in Cheraw, CO.  While on the county road we saw this cute tractor mailbox

We ended up driving on gravel road for about 2 1/2 miles. Went past the place we wanted to see, so we had to turn back.  We finally found Junkrassic Park, met retired farmer Johnnie Allen who does all the sculptures. His wife died few years ago. He used to raise cattle, but stopped doing it 4 years ago. Four of his eight children still live around him. His wife asked him to make a rooster sculpture made out of scrap metal, and he got hooked after that!

Johnnie Allen, the sculptor and Erwin

Johnnie's cat (we asked what its name was, but we already forgot!) Very unusual markings

Continued on County Road JJ to Hwy 109 to County Road 32 to State Highway 266 then County Road 109 back to US 50

First sighting of Colorado mountains from County Road 32

First E-85 gas in CO ($3.19)

Can see Rocky Mountains range 

Arrived Pueblo, CO at 12:55 pm, decided to get on I-25 to Colorado Springs. While on the interstate we suddenly spotted Rich Taft's trailer shop before Exit 114 and decided to get off that exit , got on the feeder road. We were hoping that Rich Taft was home and he was.  It took Rich a while to figure out who we were because the last time we saw each other was 11 years ago. We asked him about Bonnie, his wife and he said she was out doing errands. He gave her a call to tell her that her uncle from Florida was here.  Bonnie is Erwin's niece. We had a red truck back in 2003 and we wanted to have the truck bed replaced/modified, so we drove all the way from Maryland to Colorado. Rich took care of it in a couple days and we went back home with a fancy bed.  His former shop was in a different town at that time and he moved it to this current location about 4 years ago. If Edith had not looked in the right direction we would not have seen Rich's shop.  We waited like 15 minutes before Bonnie arrived. It was great to see her again. They invited us in their house for chat. We wanted to stay a bit longer, but had already made a plan to be in Colorado Springs in time for supper.  We hope to see them again another time and make a plan to spend the day with them.

Rich, Bonnie and Erwin 

Bonnie and Erwin

 Left the Tafts' house at 3:15 pm and were now on way to Erwin's niece Anna's place in Colorado Springs.

Nice to be greeted with a smile on the interstate!

Snow capped mountains in the distance

We arrived at Anna Kruse's house and were happy to see her again. Met her husband, Brian. They live not too far from Pike's Peak. They have a gorgeous view of the mountains. 
Brian loves to cook, so he fixed great looking pizzas for supper.  Followed by supper was a very delicious fruit dessert.

Nice view of Cheyenne Caynon Mountains as seen from the living room at Anna's house

Spent the rest of the night catching up on the news