June 21

Pueblo to Fowler

40 / 1713

Sleep in and head to post office. The mirror I special-ordered has arrived! Feels great to throw away the duct-taped monstrosity. I didn't take many pictures today but here's one of the Incredible Bulk and a new friend at a Pueblo intersection...

After picking up a few items at the Great Divide Bike Shop I leave Pueblo via 4th Street where cyclists are very unwelcome. I rejoin Hwy 50 which is a busy four-laner here and the scenery is flat and dry. Lots of junk yards and such.

Once I reach route 96 the ride gets quiet and I rarely see a car for the rest of the day. The terrain is incredibly flat and there is an illusion of getting nowhere fast. In the town of Boone I pull into a convenience shop where the proprietor looks just like a cowboy except for the bright green socks and no shoes. I enjoy a microwave burrito and view news clippings which illustrate a train wreck that wiped out the shop years ago. What are the chances of a train derailing and crashing into the only structure for miles? Outside of Boone I encounter some really cool cacti...

After crossing the Arkansas River I call it a day in the town of Fowler.

I grab a terrific bite to eat at Fat Willy's and chat with a waitress who used to live in San Diego but moved out here for the cheap housing scene. Down the street is a sort of run-down RV park where I set up camp for twelve bucks. This place is also host to a massive mosquito population! The bugs ease off as evening approaches and I take a walk around the neighborhood before calling it a night.

Here's a view of the playground/campground/RV park...