Stephen H. Long Trail 1819 — 1820

Day 18: September 10th, 2008 Cañon City — Pueblo

Map Cañon City to Pueblo

Again I wake up around seven in the morning. But this time I go to breakfast first and will collect my stuff for the car later because the Village Inn is just next door. Breakfast is again okay and around a quarter to nine I go back to my room. There I quickly pack everything together. Then I put my stuff into the truck. Next I mount my camera and Laptop before I leave to reach the next gas station.

Highway 50/Royal Gorge Blvd, Cañon City, CO

After this I must drive through the city to the west side of town. There the Tunnel Drive exits, which takes me to the Tunnel Drive Trail.

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Lizzard, Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Squirrel, Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Just past ten I am there and pack my hiking stuff together. Then I start my hike. First you must get up a short incline. But after this the trail runs on the same height. Just past the beginning you walk through two tunnels. Then you continue level and also walk over two wooden bridges. After two miles of hiking I reach the end of this trail and turn around.

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Train, Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, Arkansas River, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Tunnel Dr, CO

Also on my way back I have some picturesque views of the Arkansas River and the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, I forgot to put sunscreen on. But it is cloudy and therefore I hope I will not catch a bad sunburn.

Around noon I am back at my car and have a lunch break. In the meantime the parking lot has really filled up. When I arrived here in the morning, there was just one car beside me. But now the parking lot is almost full. Also on my way back I have seen a lot of people going the other direction while in the morning I was almost alone.

After lunch I drive back into the city. There Highway 115 exits.

Highway 115, CO

Highway 115, CO

Highway 115, Florence, CO

This one is again pretty busy and it is clearing up not before many miles out of the city.

Highway 120, CO

Highway 120, CO

Highway 120, CO

Highway 120, CO

Highway 120, CO

Soon I take Highway 120. There is also a one lane bridge with an own traffic light.

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

After a couple of miles I plan to continue on backroads. First I am driving on Swallows Rd. But a company property stops me here.

Highway 50, CO

Therefore I must drive back to the very busy Highway 50. Unfortunately there is no other opportunity to reach the other side of the river.

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows, CO

Swallows, CO

Swallows, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

Swallows Rd, CO

But Swallows Rd takes me down to the river and a nature preserve area. There I am able to get some nice pictures and video taping of this almost swampy river bed. Then I am driving back to the Pueblo West residential area.

S Nichols Rd, CO

On some backroads I try to reach the river again.

Pinion Rd, CO

Pinion Rd, CO

Lake Pueblo, CO

Lake Pueblo, CO

Lake Pueblo, CO

Lake Pueblo, CO

Lake Pueblo, CO

There should run a road through the Pueblo Lake State Park. When I arrive there I would have to pay an entrance fee. Because I only plan to trespass for a couple of minutes I am not willing to pay. But just before the gate is another road going down to the river. This one I happily drive down. Also there I am able to get some very nice pictures and video taping. Then I drive back to Highway 50.

This one I follow a short distance to Highway 45 where I also cross the Arkansas River. When waiting at a crossing, some craftsmen ask me what I am video taping here. They both really like the idea that I am video taping my trails! Then I take Highway 96.

This one takes me to I–25. Now it’s only two more miles before I reach my Motel 6. It ist just before 4pm when I arrive and therefore it is no problem to get a room. I ask again for a room on second floor because there is usually no free parking space in front of your room on first floor.

When I enter the room I must realize that the bed was not yet made. Great, seems like she has given me a room which has not been finished. So I first put my stuff into the room before I walk back to the reception. There she gives me the room next door which is a two bed room instead.

That doesn’t really bother me and I move my stuff in the new room. Then I bring back the old room key to the reception. In my room I first check the already piled up video taping. Around half past seven I leave for dinner. Originally I planned to go to a Texas Roadhouse. But I am not able to find it. Therefore I drive again to the Applebee’s instead.

Just past eight I arrive there and the parking lot is still pretty full. Nevertheless, I receive my table without any waiting. My server is a bit over–friendly, but okay. But what really bothers me in the end is that she hands over the check and asks if I want a desert while my plate is still half full. This definitely leaves the impression that you will be almost thrown out of the restaurant…

Around a quarter to nine I pay and drive back to my motel. After my arrival I check the next video taping. Around ten I continue with my diary. Finally I am really getting tired. Therefore I just type in all my bills. But I will not check the rest of my one and a half hour of remaining video taping. Sometime I definitely need sufficient sleeping time…

The next day is in preparation…