"Custer County"

 Despite its name, this area is very appealing.

Today we went out and about, driving through to Lake Isabel which was about an hour from the Westcliffe home. Lake Isabel is a camping and fishing attraction.  

We also stopped at the Isabel Lake Lodge there, as we had read on the internet that they are open Thursdays - check their hours as they vary. We bought a cold Dr Pepper, and then after hearing from a helpful server, traveled on to Pueblo (another 45 minutes) to look at the Pueblo River Walk which is in the centre of town and incorporates part of the Arkansas River, which the town considers its lifeblood.

The riverwalk is very pretty and I can imagine may be a community hub at times but today was just too hot for us Taupo people - at 36 degrees and rising at 12pm. However, we walked the walk as we had to prove ourselves against some Aussies we met who were taking shade under a bridge. There are sculptures and fountains and waterfalls here but not a lot of energy from us for lingering in the sun. 

We then drove back to the lodge (about 50 minutes) and had a late lunch. There is quite a nice shop attached if you want to buy tee shirts and sweatshirts or mementos. The Lodge provided a very respectable menu - hot spinach and artichoke dip with celery, carrots, and corn chips kept us from getting too hungry and the mains had a lot of variety and were tasty as well!

Well fed, we meandered our way home, stopping at Rosita which is a mining ghost town but didn't look too “ghost” as there were plenty of modern houses around. I did take this picture of the only dilapidated building I saw, so I think this is where the ghost lives.