Eads Colorado - A Step Back in Time [This Post Written and Edited by Doug Lybeck]

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July 8, 2009 –

Well we finally bid goodbye to the Rockies yesterday, and they went out in as dramatic a fashion as they came in. Almost instantly after passing our last and highest Rocky Mountain pass (Hoosier, 11,500 feet), we dive-bombed down into the eastern Colorado flats. It was stunning to see the change in terrain. We’ve been out in the flats for three days now, and we’re beginning to get a taste of what Kansas and the next three weeks may feel like. There is truly NOTHING out here. I never thought I’d be so excited to see a grain silo, but out here it’s one of the few things that keeps me going. The roads are so long and SO straight that you can actually see a town 15-20 miles before you arrive at it. The grain silos make for a good checkpoint in your day, but when you only pass two in an 80 mile ride, it takes a lot to stay focused. Today I downloaded George Orwell’s “1984” on my IPOD to keep my mind from wandering.

Last night we pulled into Eads, Colorado. It’s likely the biggest city w have seen in 4 days at 1500 people. We’re lucky to be arriving right as the summer wheat harvest is coming in. This otherwise sleepy town is now bustling with commotion and machinery. Combines and harvest trucks crowd the roads, as farmers rush their crops to the downtown grain silo. We are camped out right at the base of the silo, in the midst of the tumultuous activity. Semi trucks come in and drop multi-ton loads off, which are then augured up into the silo and stored for about a week. This Wednesday night turned out to be the evening when they dumped the entire stock into a freight train for transport elsewhere. This whole event took place not 100 feet from our camping spot in the city park. It’s all quite noisy, but it’s so fun to watch you can hardly complain.

As the sun set on the workers at the silo, a BUNCH of kids came out in their cars and started looping the main street of town. Round and round they go on the ½ mile main strip. At one point there were at least 20 vehicles of all makes and models making the loop. I finally went over and yelled out “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” A young girl yelled back “WERE CRUSIN!!” I was floored! It was literally a modern day reincarnation of “American Graffiti;” 1950’s style youth amusement. All we need now is a milkshake-diner and roller skates. This town feels like we have stepped back in time 60 years, and I LOVE IT!










The Bustling Grain Silo in Eads Colorado.
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