Towers of Time
Icons of the Plains
Our stone lithograph in the living room shows them looking to the south. We always think of them looking to the north.
Our last visit was right before Sarah was born, thinking a little trip might hurry her along! That didn't work-she arrived when she was ready. Yesterday she had a notion to visit them again.
Google maps did not send us on this more direct route, but we followed it on the way home.
"The tops of the Pawnee Buttes were once a continuous part of the surface of the High Plains. The land surrounding the buttes has been eroded away, revealing fossil bearing rock layers that represent the passing of a hundred million years." from signage at the parking lot.
There is a nice parking area with sheltered picnic tables and a restroom. And off in the distance
a lot of windmills generating electricity. Tall monstrous things, gently turning in the wind. If you click on the picture below you can almost see them looking like pins stuck straight in the ground along the horizon.
Beauty on the vast,
almost colorless prairie.
Here's a good link with information about the hike to the base:
Pro Trails.com. Back in 1981 we drove almost to the base of the towers. Now you must hike a few miles to get that close.
There was a chilly wind blowing, but otherwise a beautiful February day. Deep washes formed by water and time.
We returned home on the more direct route, wanting to be back on smooth paved roads. We did laugh at the horrible washboard road. This drive is not for a sissy car!
The road looks like it goes on forever, but just over the top there are some great curves due to the rock outcroppings and gullies on the prairie.
The air was full of dust from all the oil trucks we passed going to the drilling sites in Weld county. I thought we'd actually be the only ones out there on the road!
Thanks, Sarah and Alex, for the wonderful trip and birthday weekend out here on the eastern plains.
♥♫
9 comments:
Happy Day After Super Bowl Vacation!! We laugh about this - Wiggins School is the only one I know that takes this day off; but you've got to love having a 3-day weekend. See you went on a little prairie trip. I went on so many of these types of little trips when I was little, I elect to stay home now when Bob & Mike get the dirt-road urge!! Sally
Oh, Marilyn, I LOVE this post. This is one of my favorite places in Colorado. When I went to school at UNC, I would take trips out there, just to feel the vastness of the prairie and to see it in bloom in the spring. I haven't been there in years. I'll have to convince my husband to make it a day trip soon. (Thanks for the map!!)
It was back around 1980, 1981 that I was out there. Drove my VW almost to the base of the buttes! Now THAT was an adventure, on that road.
I told you I went to HS in Colorado Springs and I honestly miss that gorgeous state...any part of it! My son just found out he's NOT moving there...a part of me was SAD!
Beautiful post my friend.
xoRebecca
The road was so bumpy! I'm glad they had bathrooms for us when we finally made it. :-) love you
Hey sweet lady!!! I feel like I haven't talked to you in forever!! Thanks for the anniversary and well wishes, my hubby is doing a lot better this week! Yay! Sounds like birthday wishes are in order for you too...so Happy Birthday!! :)
Oh..and congrats on your Title I for your school...that's a lotta dough for your school! :)
Hey..stop by and read my latest post if you have two seconds...there's a little girl on there you should see!
Love ya
Missy
I have never been to Colorado but would love to one day! The ride does look bumpy. Glad you had a wonderful time. Did you have a birthday??
Hugs.
Donna
Happy birthday! Looks like a fabulous trip you had! Now, go get your dress form ready for the ball!
Carol
I'm so happy you had a wonderful b-day...
But...I just noticed your LOVE passed away in 2009. :( I'm so sad for you. I can't imagine how much you must miss him.
Thinking of YOU!
xoRebecca
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