Day 50: Pueblo, CO to Cañon City, CO (47 miles, 2346 total)

Given the holiday weekend, and the lower mileage days ahead in our guidebook, we have decided to take it easy this weekend. Today's ride brought us to the doorstep of the Rockies. We have climbed to our highest elevation yet on the trip and are currently up to around 5300 feet. However, most of our climbing has been so gradual that it is hard to believe we are 1800 feet higher than our highest point in the Appalachians. I'll take this climbing any day!

We woke up early and sent the journal. We also got a message from Dave and Patty, the couple we met back in Kentucky. They were also in Pueblo and at the same hotel. Small world. We didn't see them though. They are having bike trouble and are laying over in Pueblo today. Shortly after getting their email, Jeff ran into a Dutchman named Valentine whom we have heard about for weeks now. He was also staying at our hotel and was joined today by his wife, Jos (pronounced Yoss). Who knew we picked such a cycling hotel mecca? Both couples and the eastbounder we'd run into on Thurday recommended an alternate route out of town. It just so happened that the route was shorter and we were in.

The streets of Pueblo were almost deserted as we pedaled across the Arkansas River for the 3rd time since being in Kansas. A few miles out of town, Jeff came across a small plastic mole rat with a sombrero on. He has now joined us for the rest of the trip and Jeff named him El Ranchero. I'm so jealous!

We stopped at a convenience store about 10 miles from Cañon City and Valentine and Jos were already there. We chatted for a while and shared road stories. They were having coffee even though the temps were climbing into the 90's. I can't imagine!

We reached Cañon City by noon and knowing the campground would be full, we started the motel hunt. We went door to door looking for an affordable, non-smoking room and finally found one after about 6 tries. At least there were options!

We piled our gear into our tiny room and then hit a Mexican restaurant that had been recommended by a few people we had talked to. It definitely hit the spot! After lunch, I showered and took a nap. Heavenly! There are so many benefits to arriving early in town. While I lazed it up, Jeff worked on the bikes. I think I got the better end of the deal.

We didn't feel like getting back on the bikes to go to dinner so we walked up the street to the only restaurant visible from the motel. Just our luck it was closed. We decided to order pizza to the room and are watching re-runs of Law and Order SVU as we eat.

The plan is to head out early again tomorrow and meet up with Matt and Alecia for lunch somewhere. Time to rest up again. Maybe it is the altitude that is making me so lazy...

AKB