Road Trip--part 2

Windmill of the past

I have a great deal of trouble posting photos on the blog now days so I decided it was easier to do the road trip in two parts.

  After we left the area around the River and Dam, we continued west.  We came across a windmill that had seen better days and there was a concrete pump house or well house beside it.  One seldom sees the pump houses by the windmills anymore.  Sometimes there would be a tank located inside the pump house where items would be stored down in the water to keep them cool.  The only refrigeration around for many years.

  On our way home we went by the wind farm that is located northwest of Burlington.  The "new" windmills on the eastern plains of Colorado these days.     

 The wind turbines have been built this past summer and are to go on line sometime this fall.  We can see them from our driveway, which would be 9 or 10 miles away.  The things are huge for those of you who have not seen them up close. 

Another controversial happening out here.  There is suppose to be another wind farm built 6 or 8 miles straight north of our place.  I have to laugh when people think this is a "new concept" of producing electrical energy.  There were wind chargers used in this area before REA came into being and and electrical lines were built to carry power to farms and ranches. 

And believe it or not, there is a vineyard in our area.  The Wordens have been growing grapes 5 or 6 years.  They have 5 varieties now.  The grapes are nice this year and are getting close to harvest.  I told Vanessa to give me a call when they start harvesting.  I would like to see what a grape harvest is like.  I am also glad she is the one who has to take care of them.  If I were 20 years younger I would consider putting in a small vineyard, but not at this point in my life. 

The grapes hang in beautiful clusters.  Some of the grapes have to have netting over them to protect them from the Robins. 
The wine is not for sale yet.  That takes time to set that part up as well.  We wish them well when they do start selling it.  It beats that stuff from NE though!!!!