Route 67

Route 67 may not conjure up the romanticism of famed Route 66, Nor does it wend its way across the country or provide you any kicks. 'Tis just a winding mountain road running from Divide to Cripple Creek, But the splendid vistas that it reveals is what makes it so unique! Route 67 is eighteen miles of God's glorious Creation to behold! Aspen trees grace the mountainsides with quaking leaves of gold! Majestic Pikes Peak glistens with new-fallen snow upon its crest. The saw-toothed San Juan Mountains reach for the sky to the west. Old gold mine shafts are strewn about, reminders of shattered dreams. Seen are tumbling waterfalls and rushing mountain streams. Eagles soar high above it all on their never-ending quest, To sate the gaping maws of eaglets in their nest. A flock of geese land with great aplomb on a nearby tarn to feed. Silhouetted against the sky are mountain sheep, a very rare sight indeed! A magnificent elk stood in a grove of spruce, bugling for a mate. Marmots scurried about gathering winter fare ere it was too late. Upon arrival in Cripple Creek, I decided to have a little fun. The slot machines beckoned me and I'm usually a lucky son-of-a-gun! I fed coins into the slots so furiously that I feared that they would choke! 'Twas a pleasant drive home on Route 67, albeit, I was nearly broke! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)