I seem to be on a bit of a nostalgia kick this evening. It may be related to being down after my beloved Broncos rolled over, played dead and let the jerk K.C. punks beat them. If Denver is 2 and 14 and both victories are against K.C. then their year is a success. Oh well, that isn't the real purpose of this post.

When we lived in Colorado things were a bit simpler. There were the flat lands of eastern Colorado, the Front Range and Western Slope. In my recent readings on the net and talking to friends it seems that in today's world the state is being looked at as 6 or 7 distinct areas depending whether one considers Denver as separate or part of the Front Range. There are some who say the San Juan Mountains are part of the Western Slope and some who say no. I haven't looked closely at how the Colorado tourism people look at it but will get to it. When looking at maps, considering culture, lifestyles and such the 6 or 7 seem to make a lot of sense.

I am going to do a bit more looking around and will be redoing ColorfulColorado.com to better reflect the way the state is viewed on the 21st Century. I guess saying this is no big whing ding but this site is a pet project and I just felt like doing it.

One of the primary objectives of this Web site is to promote and direct folks to some of the often overlooked things that the state has to offer. In that spirit I would like to suggest what I feel is a very worthwhile thing to do on your next trip to “The Springs” (Colorado Springs). Everyone knows about the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs and the Broadmoor Hotel which are at, or near the top of nearly everyones “must do” list. We have visited and taken guests to all these and I remember that my wife nearly passed out from trying to run to the car at the top of Pikes Peak on our first visit.

While I have a fondness for the great American high plains which stretches from just west of the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains I freely admit that driving Interstate 70 can be quite dull. Somewhere between point A and Point B is the town of Burlington CO. (actually just west of the Colorado and Kansas line) which can be a nice place to stop and unwind a bit. Ok, I can hear a collective 'what you talking about boy', there can't be anything of interest out there. Believe it or not I have an answer and it has nothing at all to do with skiing, jeeping the high passes (death wish activity), rafting, gambling or Bluegrass music at Telluride.

The road to the top of Mount Evans is the highest paved road in North America at 14,264 feet. Be advised that you should pay close attention to your driving on parts of the road and save the sight seeing for the top. You won't be disappointed as it truly feels you can see forever and on a nice clear day that isn't far from the truth. Turn one way and it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the Continental Divide. Turn the other way and the eastern plains seem to go on forever. One can often see both Wyoming and Kansas. I have often thought anyone who drives to the top should receive a pin to wear.

Not far west of Denver and a bit south of I70 it is an easy day trip. About an hour drive from Idaho Springs. For more information check out MountEvans.com

I have only driven this road twice and that was a number of years ago. Both times there were parts of the road near the top which literally made the hair stand up on my neck and I got that tightness in my chest.

P.S. Don't try to run, especially if you are not acclimated to the altitude.