Eastern Colorado

Most travelers arriving in Colorado from points east look at this part of the state as something to be endured on their way to the 'real' Colorado. I can remember being the same way when I was much younger and before living in the state. Sitting there blazing down I-70 or I-76 (then I-80 South if memory doesn't fail me) with eyes pealed to the west straining to see the Rocky Mountains and totally missing the quiet beauty of this high plains gem.

Are there spectacular mountains? Of course not. But there are some very interesting, beautiful and historic places in Eastern Colorado. A great many of them are hidden from the main highways and require traveling the back roads to get there which only adds to the adventure. Even some of the ranch country that has not been "busted" for wheat production is lovely in its own way.

Sitting in near total quiet except for the whispering sounds made by a slight breeze ruffling prairie grasses while the sun slowly sets and day turns quickly to night, as there is often very little twilight out here. Watching clouds forming over the eastern slope of the mountains and bringing life saving rains to the plains. Even watching storm clouds form has a certain charm but if they move in your direction find cover fast. While not a morning person myself, there have been a few times when watching the sun rise and bringing with it a new day has been well worth the 'lost sleep'. Even the 'hard core' city dweller should experience these miracles of nature at least once in their lifetime.

Eastern Colorado is steeped in history with many of the families being able to trace their roots back to homesteading and ranching which is the backbone of this part of Colorado. Your closest neighbor may be 10 or more miles away but there is a very real sense of community. Should you be in trouble your neighbors will be there to help in a flash as you would be there for them. It is a hard life on the plains but few of the 'old timers would have it any other way. In ways it is so sad to see many of the ranchers displaced by urban sprawl moving to Eastern Wyoming and the Nebraska sand hill country to continue living close to the land they so love.

The Eastern plains reaches from the Wyoming border in the north to New Mexico in the south. The area can be seperated into North and South. The dividing line is roughly U.S. Highway 24 which runs from the Kansas line to Colorado Springs and points west. While there are differences in terrain and climate the cultural aspects are most notable. The northern area culture is closer to the Great American westward migration while the southern half (as with South Central Colorado)has a distinctly Spanish flair.