Here is where it gets me real excited Carl is one of the founders of the “Prairie Horizons Trail” which extends from Pueblo east to the Kansas border.  He pointed out a small Blue laminated sign with this designation at the next Bicycle caution sign we passed.  I had seen this same sign in several stores as we have been riding.  The organization is a grass roots group who has been working with the US Dept. of Transportation, Colorado Dept. of
Transportation and every community between Pueblo and the eastern border.  The organization was founded in 2005 dedicated to promoting a friendly, memorable and welcoming experience for cyclists; Enhance trail safety through physical improvements such as expanded highway shoulders, shelters and other amenities for cyclists traveling through their beautiful prairie.  Carl let me know that each community with a police department and local businesses will share with cyclists a safe place to stay overnight.  For example he said had we contacted the Ordway PD they would have told us about the high school.  This is also why the store keeper in Sheridan Lake knew about the church being available for us.  Carl and his wife have themselves opened their home for cyclists to stay overnight, take a shower and often provide them with a meal.  “That is just amazing” I told Carl and followed up with ”Why do you do it”.  He quickly answered we find bicyclists to be interesting people and enjoy visiting with them.  Carl shared several stories of touring cyclists who have stayed at their home over the years and that some of them have stayed in touch and become friends.  This time I believe I’ve been the beneficiary of interesting people to visit.  Carl said some have even shared their other bicycle adventures around the world, staying in touch through the years.  As Carl and I drove along he shared local history and sights in the area for me.  I learned the Army has a chemical storage facility just outside Pueblo where all the nasty warfare chemicals  are stored such as; Mustard Gas, Nerve Gas, Agent Orange, TNT residue and etc.  These chemicals are to be disposed of under an International Treaty we signed but hasn’t been done yet.  Carl also confirmed the two mountain ranges I mentioned above correctly.  He pointed out a very large Steel Manufacturing plant which is now owned by a Russian company instead of a US company, an even larger power generation plant and finally a former Army Air base given to the city of Pueblo which they converted into an industrial park and has been a tremendous asset to the community’s economic health.  Am I sorry for having accepted the ride with Carl and missed about 28 miles of bike riding today.  No way, Carl was much more interesting and I learned more about the area then had I continued to pedal down the road in solitude.  Thank you Carl, it was great meeting you.  You are now a member of my rapidly growing list of “Road Angels”.   One more side note, Carl had no more then drove away and I was about to pedal off, yet another pick-up pulled up beside me and the guy rolls down his window and states, “It’s going to be a hot one today.  Looks like you’re heading west?  I agreed with both statements.  He then said you’re getting ready to ride through a pretty rough section of town, how about I give you a ride through this area.  I said thanks but no thanks as I only have a couple miles to go.  He told me to be careful and not stop at any of the stores in this area.   Don’t we live in a great Country?