On day 20 of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip” Colorado Springs drive to Lamar. Leave early with a full tank because the ride is almost 400 kilometers. There are many possible stops along the route and if you want to visit them all it is an option to stay overnight in Pueblo and drive the route in 2 days.

Just outside the city we see the Cheyenne Mountain looming, this mountain southwest of Colorado Springs is home to the Cheyenne Mount Space Force Station, better known as NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). The 1,672 square meter complex is located below 600 square meters in the interior of the mountain. NORAD is a military organization that monitors United States air strikes in Canada. The complex is heavily guarded by USAF (Airforce) and not open to the public.

The first possible stop, between Colorado Springs and Canon City, is at the May Museum. From the highway you can already see the statue of “Herkimer”, a replica of the world's largest beetle, Dynastes Hercules. “Hermiker” has been the trademark of the May Museum since 1952 with collections of insects from all over the world. So if you're interested in insects, turn right at this intersection and follow the signs to the "Golden Eagle Ranch" where the museum is housed.

The May Museum is Colorado Springs' premier insect museum! Name a beetle and they probably have it. Located at the foot of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, they have one of the largest private exhibits, featuring more than 7,000 insects, in the world.
You will find gigantic tropical insects, spiders, thousands of colorful butterflies and moths. The museum has beetles, giant spiders and deadly scorpions, all perfectly preserved. If you get the jitters at the idea of all the insects, just keep driving at the intersection.

In Florence, the 90-kilometer “Wet Mountains Byway” starts through the Wet Mountains, a small and the oldest mountain range in southern Colorado, named for the amount of snow that falls in this part of the Rockies in winter. They are a sub-region of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in the Southern Rocky Mountains system. Enjoy the ride and the view.

About half way up the Wet Mountains Byway you can visit the Bishop Castle on the right, it is a "one man project" named after its builder, Jim Bishop. Bishop bought the land for $450 when he was 15, and construction on what was originally intended as a family project to build a cottage began in 1969. After Bishop surrounded the cottage with rocks, several neighbors noted that the building looked about looked like a castle. Bishop took this into consideration and soon began building his castle and has now become an attraction along the Wet Mountains Byway and well worth a visit.

We drive on to the nice town of Pueblo, where you can plan a longer stop or even an overnight stay. Pueblo has a lot to offer such as museums, the "Historic Arkansas Riverwalk" and a nice center with shops, restaurants and cafes.

Visit the Pueblo Railway Foundation's Railroad Museum, established in 2003 to continue and expand the collection and activities of the Pueblo Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. The Foundation's mission is to operate, preserve and exhibit railway equipment and history. They bring this history to life by operating this railway equipment during public events, where visitors can come and ride the train. The museum is run by a volunteer organization.

The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is a must-see attraction. Along the Arkansas River you can walk and enjoy art, beautiful parks, a meal in one of the many cozy restaurants, shop in the small shops or relax on a terrace. This review includes a link with more information about the Riverwalk.

Just outside the town of Pueblo you can visit the “Weisbrod Aircraft Museum”, a must-see attraction. Visit one of Colorado's largest collections of military, space and civilian aircraft, vehicles and artifacts spanning over a hundred years of history.
The two hangars and the outdoor area cover more than 7900 square meters. Exhibits include both civilian and military aircraft, ground vehicles, missiles, and the Southern Colorado Space Museum. Take enough time for this, because you will need it.

We drive on US 50 parallel to the Arkansas River to our next stop to visit the Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. You can already see the Fort from the parking lot, it's a short walk to this reconstructed 1840 fur trading post. The site is on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail where traders, trappers, travelers and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes gathered to trade . Today, historians recreate the sights, sounds, and smells of the past with tours, demonstrations, and special events.

After this last stop it is still about 80 kilometers to Lamar, the end point of this day. In Lamar, there are two more short stops to take a photo of the old 1819 Steam Locomotive. The 1819 "Prairie" Locomotive in front of the Colorado Welcome Center was forged by the Philadelphia-based Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Built at the height of locomotive production in the US, this locomotive was built to carry freight across the plains.

The second stop is the remnant of the Petrified Wood gas station. Local businessman EF Boydston built a wooden shed and gas station in 1927. The buildings were covered with stone and in 1935 more cabins and garages were added. The original wooden petrol station was covered in petrified wood in 1935 when the highway was widened and remained in use by the Boydston family until 1988. The pub reopened in 1993.

Enjoy the evening at Lamar. There are several hotels to stay at and Lamar has a number of historic sites as well as multiple dining and lodging options.