A refreshing stop on I-70.

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.

First of all shut down the cruse control and watch for signs directing you to the Kit Carson County fair grounds which is home to the Kit Carson Carousel. The small sum of $0.50 gets you a ride on and tour of a National Landmark. The beautifully restored example of carousel art from 1905 still retains most of the original paint and a functioning one-of-a-kind Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ. For those who have never taken a ride on a 'merry-go-round' be prepared for a real treat and those older folk like myself are likely going to take a journey into the land of nostalgia.

This carousel which was originally located at the Elitch Gardens in Denver is number 6 of the 74 manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company between 1904 and 1933. It was sold to Kit Carson County in 1928 for $1200 and at one time the 12 sided building which houses the carousel was used for grain storage until the restoration was begun in 1976. It has 46 hand-carved animals, four chariots, 45 oil paintings. The animals are arranged in 3 stationary rows which means they don't move up and down. It is the oldest carousel, remaining in virtually unaltered condition with original paint on murals and animals. The animals include horses, burros, camels, a dog, deer, giraffes, goats, a hippopotamus, a lion, a tiger, and zebras.

The ride is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day 1 pm to 8 pm daily.

For more information try www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com