LOVELAND, Colo. -- Bill Clarke's one tank trip takes us to a town best known for its post mark and discovered there's a lot more to Loveland than valentines.

Highway 287 from Broomfield to Loveland is a lot more fun than the freeway. Of course, it does take a while longer driving the back roads.

The first stop in Loveland is the Benson Sculpture Garden Park, where we get our first look at the art form that has put Loveland on the nation's cultural map. The park is filled with sculptures that have taken $2 million to $3 million to acquire. It's the perfect place for a picnic lunch so allow some time to enjoy everything this park has to offer.

Then stop at sculptor George Lundeen's studio downtown. You've seen his work at Denver International Airport and at Coors Field. His work is also at Sculpture Park and a lot of other places too.

Lundeen has been in Loveland for more than 25 years. His brother is the sculptor next door and they're not alone.

"We probably have 30 or 40 sculptors that live here full time now. And some of them work at other jobs like helping other sculptors do their work," Lundeen said.

If you're in the neighborhood, you're welcome to walk in and watch him at work on most days.

"It's always interesting, especially for kids to come in and see how a piece is started because everybody works in clay," Lundeen said.

And here, on the edge of Loveland, clay from all over the country is transformed into the large metal statues you see everywhere. It's a complicated process and Art Castings of Colorado has a national reputation. Like Lundeen's studio, Art Castings is open for tours. Just call in advance for an appointment.

Next month, 500 sculptors from around the country will be showing their work in the park. "We'll have lots of stuff and it generally turns into anywhere from $2 million to $3 million worth of sales that weekend," Lundeen said.

And he, for one, could not be happier.

"We don't say it's the best sculpture show in the world. But by god, it is the biggest," Lundee said.

The 12th Annual Loveland Sculpture Invitational show and sale is the weekend of Aug. 8.

Bill's Trip Notes

Who in their right mind would drive up 287 to Loveland when you can get there in a lot less time on I-25? Me, for one. And the reason I suggest this route is so you can see a little of what the Front Range looked like 40, 50 years ago. Of course, 287 is a better road today, even with the occasional stoplight along the way.

In Berthoud, stop at the A&W Root Beer stand and get a tall cold one, or maybe a float.

To get to the Benson Sculpture Garden Park, drive through Loveland to US 34 and turn left toward Estes Park. The park's about a mile or so down the road on your right. Sculptor George Lundeen (gallery: 970-669-7176) may be the most down-to-earth, likeable artist I've ever met. His brother, Mark (gallery: 970-667-7275), runs a close second. And both men have galleries next door to each other in downtown Loveland. To reach either Lundeen, you can go to their Web site.

Remember that when they're using a live model, sculptors are less inclined to welcome visitors to their work areas, but both men's galleries at 338 and 356 East 4th St. are open for visitors and buyers alike.

If you don't think a tour of a foundry can be fascinating, Art Castings may change your mind. It's clean, air conditioned and relatively quiet. And the people who work here are proud of what they do. More information at Art Castings' Web site, or call 970-667-1114.

Finally, the Loveland Museum/Gallery at 5th and Lincoln is showing some amazing works right now under the title "Sensory Experiments: Exploring Accessible Art." Admission is free. More info here at the city's Web site.

The Sculpture Invitational in the park runs August 8-10. Admission on Friday is $3, and on Saturday and Sunday it's $5. Info's at LovelandSculptureGroup or call 970-663-7467.

Oh, and if you're really committed to taking I-25, take it back to the Denver metro area. That way you can stop at the Factory Outlet stores!