Howard, CO

Today we resumed the ride from where we left off in Pueblo. We had a great day and a half off. Bob's Albion College friend Steve and his wife Pat graciously hosted us overnight Sunday in their beautiful home high above Manitou Springs. They have a fantastic view back down to the foothills and the plains below. Bob and Steve calculated they haven't seen each other for about 35 years so it was fun to catch up with each other's lives. On Monday morning we hiked in Red Rock Canyon before Bob's cousin Katie and her daughter Laura arrived from Boulder. We spent time touring the Manitou Springs Historic District and had a nice lunch. And lastly we met up with our friend Sarah for dinner in Colorado Springs. All that socializing was fun but exhausting so we are glad to be back on the road today. Thanks to all for making the effort to spend time with us.

The ride confirmed the adage that hard work pays off. The first forty miles more or less climbed 4000 feet to top out at a little over 9000 feet. But then over the next 45 miles the reverse happened - there was an almost continuous descent with a stiff tailwind to boot as scattered showers popped up. The last 10 miles followed the Arkansas River to reach Howard after 90 miles. Our motel (Bandera's Bunkhouse) is on the river. It is exciting to be riding in the mountains. There is an amazing vista around each bend. There are rafters in the fast flowing river, and dude ranches have popped up. The flower picture confirms that there has been lots of rain over the last 2 months. We hope it has stopped now. Sally drove into Florence for gas, and found the huge maximum security prisons that will gladly take the prisoners from Guantanamo.