DAY three found us departing McConnel AFB at 11:00 and making a brief fuel and food stop before getting back on the Interstate and heading west across Kansas -- the heartland, America's breadbasket! The fields are measured in square miles with corn and wheat alternating and grain elevators dotting the horizon at regular intervals. The newest crop we saw gives the lie to the idea that America is not investing in renewable energy -- the wind farms were plentiful and extensive all across Kansas, and in Oklahoma (yesterday) as well.
Quintessential Kansas -- tidy farmhouses surrounded by trees in a sea of farmland
The newest crop in the heartland -- extensive wind farms dot the prairies of Oklahoma and Kansas
We crossed into Colorado around 4:30 and immediately gained an hour as we entered the Mountain Time Zone. Temps increased as we progressed west, and the land developed rolling hills that gave way to foothills and finally the majestic Rockies. As we made the summit above Denver and began the descent, the mercury dropped 10 degrees in a matter of minutes! It's a balmy 76 degrees in Idaho Springs, our stopping point this evening. Paul found the Argo Inn, a lovely creekside hotel since not a single one of the many Air Force bases around Denver had lodging available tonight.
This view never gets old.
Paul is pleased with his discovery of our Inn for tonight.
Our room has a little balcony overlooking a whitewater creek which, we're told, is oft rafted by local enthusiasts. Paul made his way down to the bank and decided against a dip in the snow-melt-fed creek. His only regret in choosing this particular Inn? NO POOL! But he'll survive. Tomorrow we're headed to Ogden, UT.
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