Roadtrip #2: Detroit to Taos, NM Trip #24

 I don't actually start my journeys in Detroit, but in a small Canadian town south of Windsor, Canada.  I can see Michigan from my front window, and Windsor and Detroit are border cities, joined by a tunnel and a bridge (soon two bridges).  But the journey doesn't really feel as if it has begun until I have cleared customs in Detroit and turned onto I 75 South.  The music comes on, the sun roof pops open, and the trip has finally begun again.

This time I am following US 24 as far as Colorado Springs, where I will pick up Deb at the airport, then continuing together on into New Mexico for a week of hiking and camping.  This was our 26th journey to NM, and it occurred between August 11th and the 26th, 2008.  I was able to afford six days to get to Taos, a luxury for sure, but not nearly enough time.  A month would be preferable.  US 24 starts in Pontiac, MI, just north of Detroit, passes through that great city (as Telegraph Road), continues south to Toledo, Ohio before turning west towards Colorado.  In between are great rivers and small towns, a big city, more bridges than I could count, brewpubs, short hikes, flat prairies, deep woods, the muddy Mississippi, and lots of two lane blacktop.  Though a lot of US 24 is becoming four lanes, the old highway can still be followed much of the way if you are not in a rush.

 

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.  Please do.

 

I drove the Taureg to NM for a second time in August, 2008.  I followed US 24 from Detroit to Colorado Springs, passing through Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and northern New Mexico.  It was 1400 miles to Colorado Springs!  I took five days.

 

Abandoned bridge along the Maumee River, Waterville, Ohio.  Old US 24 has been bypassed by a new four lane version, but the old route can still be followed.

 

The stunning interior of the courthouse in Huntington, Indiana.  A prelude of what was to come my way later in the journey.

Standing on a bridge over the Wabash River in downtown Huntington, Indiana. 

 

 

Small town charm, downtown Huntington.

Rehab, downtown Huntington.  I tend to spend a lot of time visiting small towns on my drives, when time allows.

 

 

Sometimes there is even time for a short woodland hike.  This a park along the Wabash River.

There is a rich canal history in northern Ohio and central Indiana.  The Wabash and Erie Canal days are legendary, and most local museums have displays and information.  This old canal lock remnant is in a small town west of Huntington.  US 24 follows the old canal through Ohio and Indiana.  Some of the old canal bed is now a hike/bike trail.

 

 

Seven Pillars, a Miami County, IN landmark along US 24.  In the evenings, after checking into my motel, I would sometimes take short local drives, extending my road trip.

The childhood home of Cole Porter, Peru, Indiana.  Peru was also an important wintering stop for many traveling circuses of the day.  I used the 1930s WPA state travel guides on my drive west.

 

 

Banks were impressive in appearance back in the day.  Downtown Peru, IN.

Courthouse interior, Peru, IN. 

 

 

Small town charm, IN.

My first night's motel was near this old bridge over the Wabash, part of a vanishing heritage.  One could focus just on old bridges on such a drive west.  You will see many other fine ones on this page, if you keep scrolling.

 

 

Water, water everywhere. Once past Topeka, KS, the water mysteriously disappears.  So enjoy it while it lasts.  Logansport, IN.

Bridges in Monticello, IN, on US 24.

 

The first picture of this album, above, shows a sign saying US 24 South.  This one says West.  Not many highways can do this trick.  We are now in Illinois, and the land grows flat.

Bridge in Peoria, Illinois, with a US 24 sign.  I hardly had any time to spend here, visiting a brewery and a cafe/wine bar for dinner.  An entire day could easily be spent exploring this medium-sized city.

 

 

A riverside brew pub, Peoria.

US 24 cuts through Quincy, Illinois.  I spent my 2nd overnight here, right beside the Mississippi River.
 

 

Near downtown Quincy, Il.

Bridges across the Mississippi, from my hotel balcony in Quincy.  Across the river Missouri awaited.

 

At a park in Quincy overlooking the Mississippi.  I was able to hike from here down to the river.

 

I was able to make contact with the Mississippi River at All American Park, Quincy.  This river is a major milepost along the way.  Crossing the river is usually the lowest altitude of the journey.  From here it is all uphill towards Taos.

 

 

Into Missouri.

Part of US 24 in Missouri was closed for repairs, and I had to detour.  Otherwise I would have missed this fine old bridge.

Missouri cornfield and US 24.  It can be lonely on a solo drive.

 

 

One of my favourite breweries is in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Kansas River is harnessed near downtown Lawrence.  No, it isn't Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Lawrence is a big university town, with cafes, bookstores, museums, and one of the world's great breweries.

 

I spent my third night in Topeka, the capitol of Kansas.  Blind Tiger Brewery was less than a mile from my motel.  How could I resist?  Road trips can make one awfully thirsty.

 

The state capitol building, Topeka.  Notice the tiny fenced cupola atop the dome.  Therein lies a tale.

 

Topeka was an overnight stop, so in the early morning I took a walk downtown, mostly to check out any older buildings.  I ended up walking around the capitol building, then going inside once it opened.  It is a splendid building, with regular public tours.  Not only that, but one was allowed to climb inside the dome to the very top, emerging outside on a tiny circular cupola.  The next scheduled dome climb was at 10:30 am.  I went back downtown to kill some time.  This visit would put me considerably behind schedule today, but it was something I had to do.

 

I returned to find only one other climber, plus our teenage guide.  It was 296 steps to the top.  Though I am not terrified of heights, I have a healthy respect for them.  It didn't take very long to get to the scary parts, and the last circular stairway was a heart stopping climb.  I felt much better once outside, with a solid wall behind me.  The view across downtown and out to the river was worth the climb!  The dome is 304' high, higher than the US Capitol dome.  Coming down was much easier for me than going up.  While it is not something I would likely do again, I highly recommend it as an adventure outing.

 

Closeup of the dome, rising 304' from the ground.  It is possible to climb up inside, emerging on the tiny balcony beneath the statue of Ad Astra.

 

The splendid interior of the Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka. 

 

The final death-defying climb to the top, looking skyward.  Many of the beams had writing and autographs on them.  Please don't ask me how they got there.  Beneath me was the back side of the interior glass dome.  I'm surprised that Hitchcock never filmed here.

The most impressive grain storage facility I have ever seen.  Topeka, viewed from the dome.

 

Looking outwardly calm atop the capitol dome in Topeka.  However, I note some tension in that arm grasping the railing.

Small town charm, somewhere, Kansas.  Beorn was keeping a distance from the locals.  Still following US 24.

 

Famous towns (just kidding) along US 24, Kansas.  They all sound like fun places.

I was forced onto the freeway at one point, as it overlapped with US 24 for several miles.

 

Nicodemus, Kansas, was founded by Black farmers from Kentucky in July, 1877.  They made quite a success of things, but when the railroad passed them by, the town slowly lost population.  Today it is a virtual ghost town.  A historic plaque can be found here.  I also saw a cat.

 

Kansas sunflowers, US 24.

Sunflowers, Goodland, KS.

 

Telephone Building, Colby, KS.  I spent night four in town.

Courthouse, Colman, KS.

 

Small town charm, Goodland, KS.  I ate a late breakfast in a small downtown diner, having hot tea, oatmeal, and toast.  The waitress took a fancy to me and I received a 10% senior discount.  I wasn't even a senior yet!  Long drives can be bad for the complexion.

 

Colorado Springs airport, where I met up with my passenger for the week.  We left US 24, watching it disappear into the mountains.  It continues on to Vail, where the highway ends after its incredible journey.  We still have this segment to drive someday.  Our journey turned south, towards New Mexico.

It was a cold, misty start to a week of hiking and camping.  Rather scenic, though.

 

I picked up a passenger in Colorado City.  We stopped in Alamosa, CO for lunch, on route to Taos.

Downtown Alamosa, CO.

 

Sick of brew pubs yet?  Good, neither am I.  This one is in Alamosa.

Cano's Castle, Antonito, CO.  Deb saw it from the road.  Thinking it was an old church, we drove over in the rain to have a look.  Instead we found this, made from beer cans, hub caps, etc.  Check it out on Youtube.

 

Detail of Canos Castle.

A more traditional building, Antonito, CO. 

We soon entered a rainy New Mexico, heading for a week of camping and hiking in the high country near Taos. A week later I drove home, dropping Deb at the Colorado Springs airport once again.

EASTBOUND: THE JOURNEY HOME

Here are just a few photos from the trip home. I took expressways all the way, seldom stopping except to eat and sleep.

After a week of camping and hiking, it's always a special treat to return to civilization.  Hot water, cafes, and dinner at Phantom Canyon Brewery, Colorado Springs.  Peanut Crusted Tofu and cask ale were on offer!

Pike's Perk Cafe, Colorado Springs.  After a night on the town, we split up next day, Deb flying home and me driving home.  It was a marathon drive, three days nonstop.

 

Sunset, Colorado Springs.

Eastbound, early morning.  It's all downhill from here.

 

Kansas windmills.

This mansion was for sale!  Abilene, KS.

 

 

Abilene, KS.

Blowing past Kansas City, Missouri.  Both ways I had no time to stop in this great city.  We have had several visits here, and can highly recommend the city to tourists.

 

Abandoned theatre, Effingham, Indiana.

 

The final photo.  Back along the Maumee River in Ohio (See 2nd photo, top of blog).  A late summer day, and heading back home to another year of teaching music to kids.  Finishing one journey and looking forward already to the next one.  See you there.

 

Mapman Mike