Colorado is a well regarded state and certainly a popular one attracting many newcomers.  It’s charms include some vibrant cities and fabulous recreational activities in the dramatic Rocky Mountains that cross its north-south central region.  Often we forget that Colorado has three regions, High Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Plateau.  We also forget that although precipitation in parts of the mountains are significant, and provide a rich supply of of water, Colorado is largely a desert state.  The high plains are and were historically considered desert.  Today they are classified as short grass prairie but regardless of the name remain unsuited for farming except for widespread application of irrigation.  The Plateau Region is also largely desert and made productive by irrigation.  Even much of the Mountains Region is arid by Eastern standards and the low humidity takes a toll on the uninitiated.  So too does the altitude.  The lowest point in the state is at an elevation of 3,300 feet.  Towns situate at over 10,000 feet can literally sicken visitors. 

We are visiting at what is, hopefully, the end of a drought period.  Low rainfall makes for good touring, but wilted vegetation is dull and silly “conservation measures” are a nuisance.  Our car is filthy at the end of a tow between camping areas.  The last step of camp setup is to wash the car.  The wash takes all of three gallons of water (less than a single flush for most toilets) yet is prohibited in many places.  Usually, I set up camp and wash the car before reading the rules. 

The state is rich in mineral resources and continues to utilize them.  Farms sport oil wells and windmills.  Hard minerals are mined across the mineral belt within the Rocky Mountain Ranges.  Certainly neglect and accidents have caused chronic and acute pollution events, but the population seems to understand that the wealth generated enormously exceeds the nuisances.  I imagine most chuckle at reports of the “horrors of fracking” for natural gas.  I don’t chuckle and am aghast at mindless opposition to a process that has revolutionized the production of petroleum products and has enormously enriched all of us.  Probably without it the cost of heating our homes would be three times what it is now.  How many of us could afford that?

Many Coloradans are rural residents farming, mining, or serving tourists in remote areas.  They work hard and long and their law enforcement is the rifle in the closet.  Ironically, “liberal Colorado” has recently passed a “tough gun law” that will be a nuisance.  We will see if the law persists or is pushed back.  Tolerant Coloradans may simply shake their heads and manage despite it.

Colorado also recently passed a law essentially legalizing marijuana.  That law better fits the attitude of live and let live residents than the gun law.  Perhaps it will set in motion relief from the darkness of drug prohibition and the gun crimes caused by that.  Have you sent your letter to Congress asking for the elimination of the federal law against the drug?

We began this tour just after the terrible explosion at the fertilizer plant in Texas.  We noticed and discussed the appearance of mills and associated tanks of anhydrous ammonia and fertilizer at many of the small towns.  We laughed listening to a Diane Rehm show on NPR where she and panelists were shocked that there is no federal fertilizer inspection agency.  These folks seem to have no concept of balance.  Yes, there will be the occasional accident, but that does not mean we need new regulations.  Where there is fertilizer there will be explosions with or without regulations and regulators.  The people most concerned with safety are the owners and operators who will be destroyed by explosions.  But one must expect a government radio station to argue for more government.

A common sight in this region is the circular irrigated farming field.  Some of these are 600 yards in diameter.  From the air they appear as green circles.  On the ground one can barely make out the curve because it is so large.  One does see the enormous wheeled rack that extends the radius of the circle from a central well.  Some mechanism powers the rack to make its rotation over the field.  Wonderfully creative!

Dairy production is very different in the West than in the East.  We are used to seeing dairy cattle ranched.  Here cattle are farmed in feedlots; fed hay that is grown on irrigated ground.  The horrid appearance and seemingly unhealthy aspects of the feedlots are enough to discourage the consumption of milk.  I may understand the efficiencies of the practice in this climate, but don’t appreciate it.

We are camped near Cheyenne WY this evening.  I post from the Cheyenne Library, large and lovely, a few yards from the capitol.  Tomorrow we dry dock “Harley” and begin the drive home in our car.  The new Focus was serviced today; already has covered 10,000 miles.  What a joy is the automobile.  We are blessed to have them in this age.