Central & Eastern Colorado

The continental divide is a line of peaks that runs through the centre of the Rocky Mountains. Apparently, although this sounds a little too simplistic for a skeptic like me, every drop of rain that lands to the east of this line will, through a variety of river systems, end up in the Atlantic ocean. By contrast, every drop that lands to the west (you guessed it), will end up in the Pacific. This is interesting if it is true. It means that, geologically at least, we are half way across America. It will also mean that it should be predominantly down hill as we continue our relentless march towards the eastern shoreline. The Beast will be happy about this.

The Continental Divide (and horses)

As we descended from the rooftop of America we entered Salida. Now, as long as you ignore the moderately sized doughnut of industrial sprawl that has wrapped itself around this (and most American) town(s), Salida is a picturesque and enjoyable place to be. It has embraced and preserved all the best elements of traditional Americana within its well maintained streets, bars and independent coffee shops. Also, alluring galleries and vintage shops are available around a tidy central park through which a steady, crystal clear stream flows, and beyond which the Rockies can be seen, tall and dark in the distance.

I really liked this place.

Saying Goodbye to the Rocky Mountains

Salida

Next was Cannon City, our first experience of a modern interpretation of the traditional gun slinging prison town. This place was not pretty, but I did like its honesty. So many modern small American towns appear to have stripped away their architectural heritage and replaced it with a sanatised and generic interpretation of modern living. To a European, these towns appear obsessed with the motor car, and separated from the grit and reality of the past. Cannon City is not like this at all and as a result it was a deeply fascinating place to spend an afternoon en route to the tourist trap that is Colorado Springs, and ultimately Denver.

Denver was a pleasant, if not immediately inspiring city with an attractive old town and a thriving government initiated Art district to its south, where local artists have been given the run of a deprived district (Santa Fe) in the bid to instigate gentrification. It was an interesting place to spend an afternoon.

This would be our last taste of a city prior to entry into the flat-lands that dominate the state of Kansas...

© All Images By Paul