July 2011 Colorado: Black Hawk, Westminister, Ft. Morgan

Doc Holiday Casino

Bull Durham Casino in Black Hawk

I enjoyed my lunch at Shannon’s Pub in Fitzgerald's Casino of Shrimp Alfredo and playing some machines.  At least I didn’t lose anything.  Drove to Westminster, a suburb of Denver, where there is a 24/7 Lifetime Fitness Club to use my membership.  Seemed a bit of a drive from Black Hawk but I wanted to work out after five weeks.  Very nice building with a lot of the same materials as back home.  However, I was disappointed no shampoo, lotions, conditioners, sprays like my club at home but it is much cheaper here $59.   A plus is their bikes have personal TV’s even with the walls lined with large TV’s.  The next a.m. joined the outdoor water aerobics class.  It’s was fun but oh that sun is nasty at that altitude.

So sad to leave the beautiful mountains. For weeks they have mesmerized me with their formations, canyons, snow, coolness, winding roads and spring blooms.   Nothing like that where I live.

Pics of Glenn Miller from childhood

On the road again east on #76 to Ft. Morgan where Glen Miller spent his teen years.  As you exit McDonald's on right and ½ mile on left is small, free museum/library.  Just a small local museum on homeboys like Glen Miller. Glenn Miller is Fort Morgan High School's most famous graduate. His recording of Chattanooga Choo Choo sold over 1,200,000 copies before RCA awarded him the first gold record in history. A nice quick leg stretcher.  Gas is cheap here $3.35.  The next town on highway was $3.85.

Next stop Sidney, Nebraska to check out headquarters site of Cabela’s Outfitters.  I was disappointed that is was almost the same as the one in South Dakota.  However a glorious sunset over the town of Sidney make up for it. There is a Wal-mart 24/7 right down the block.

Odd site:  An East Los Angeles taxi with top lite and full markings on highway 76 with me.

Otherwise76 is boring, some parts looks like Wisconsin farm/dairy land. What’s green, black and brown all over:  Interstate 80 thru Nebraska’s dairy land.  This is NOT my favorite road.

Funny Site:  Back when I was headed toward the Corn Palace there was a large herd of cows gathered around the shade of a large sign which read “Shooting Galley.”   In small print was Corn Palace.  So mad I didn't get the photo.