Days 16 - 22: Canon City, CO
Off to Colorado. We drove most of the day into Canon City, CO and got set up in our campsite. It was fairly quiet as it was the end of the season, and most people weren't camping anymore. That's ok, I like it when there are less people around. Jodi and I headed out to grab dinner. Again, since it was the end of the season the only place open close-by was 8 Mile Bar and Grill. Sure, I could stand a burger. Well, it was worth it. It was their last night open before closing for the season and they had a local musician in singing. He was really good, and the place was packed. We ate and stayed for a while to listen before heading back to get a good night sleep.
The next morning, we got up and headed into town to explore. On the way in the previous day we had passed a winery, The Winery at Holy Cross Abby, so we swung in. It was a cute little winery, and we grabbed a couple of bottles for some friends we would see later in our trip. One of the things that impressed me, besides a winery at a former Catholic Abby, was a statue outside. It meant a lot to me seeing the statue. I'll let you decide if you like it or not.
The Statue at The Winery at Holy Cross Abby
Dedicated to all the Docs out there.
After leaving the Abby we went into historic downtown Canon City and walked around and had lunch at a local pizza joint. Ok, I know you've heard me talk about how delicious all of the food was etc. But, while the pizza was eh, the service was ick. But we were hungry. After lunch we walked around a bit more and found an antique shop.
Jodi and I have gotten into exploring antique shops for a few reasons. We enjoy seeing stuff that we knew as kids called antiques but also because every now and then we run across something that we didn't know we needed or wanted. This was one such time. Apparently, there is indeed a manual for Marines. Who knew?
Marine Manual MM77-00
On Sunday it was off for another adventure to a location that both Jodi and I wanted to do - Pikes Peak. The ride to the park was relaxing with lots of farmland and open spaces. We got to the park and paid to go in and started up the long road up to the top.
The view from the park entrance
About halfway we crossed over a dam and stopped at the gift shop to get a drink and take a nature break. Walking outside we spotted a statue to a local resident.
Bigfoot
Ok, we'll push on anyway. I'm on a bike so unless he jumps out in front of us I can outrun him, right? RIGHT?!?! 😆
The road had lots of hairpin twists and turns, and we were soon above the tree line and still climbing. Burr, it was getting cold. Still up we went. Wait, was that snow?!?! Finally, we made it to the top. Yep, that was snow. It was breathtaking. No seriously, the air was so thin that we didn't stay long as Jodi was starting to feel lightheaded. So, after some quick pictures a bite to eat in the restaurant we headed back down.
Yep that was snow
I don't which was prettier, Jodi or the view.
Absolutely Beautiful
On our way up we had seen a sign that we wanted a picture of. So on the way back down we stopped. Little did we know that there was also a footprint right there as well.
The Sign - Uh oh. I can still outrun him RIGHT?!?!
Nope, not mine!!!
Just outside of the park entrance is, well, the North Pole. Of course we had to stop. I mean Christmas is coming up and I need to put in a word with the fat man.
The North Pole.
As it turns out, the North Pole is a really cute little Christmas themed amusement park, with lots to do for the kiddos. Lots of candy shops etc. We didn't stay long as it was already late, and we needed to head back to Canon City. But we did get some fudge and a few other little things for friends and family.
On our way back we swung into a little Thai restaurant for some Pad Thai. Man, we were starving, and it was really good. After stuffing our faces, we headed back to the RV for a much-needed rest.
Monday, the 18th of September was a perfect day. Partly cloudy with a slight breeze and temps in the low to mid 70s. Perfect for heading to Royal Gorge Park. We hopped on the bike after breakfast and took off. You can't really appreciate the gorge from pictures. The bridge itself is 956 feet above the Arkansas River and is 1260 feet across and until 2001 was the highest bridge in the world. It now stands as the highest bridge in America. We decided to take the Gondola to the far side of the park first.
Gondola Ride
Looking Northeast from the south rim of the gorge
Looking Northwest towards the bridge from the south rim of the gorge.
And what should we find on the south side of the park? Mountain Goats. At first, we thought they were being held in a pen, but we soon learned that these were wild goats, and they came and went as they pleased. There apparently are several groups, and while we were there a second group showed up and started interacting with the first group we saw. The younger goats playing and the older ones eyeing each other, but not really being aggressive.
Wild Mt. Goats hanging out
After spending a couple of hours exploring and looking at the sights it was time to head across the bridge. I somehow was expecting more sway or bounce on the bridge, but there was none. I guess I should have kept in mind that at one point they allowed cars to drive over the bridge and it wouldn't have done well to sway back and forth.
Halfway across the Royal Gorge Bridge
Of course, once we were back on the north side of the bridge we were able to read the history of the bridge etc.
History of Royal Gorge Bridge
One thing that you can't really see in the pictures is that along the river at the bottom of the gorge run train tracks. While we were there we were able to watch a train run. We did check into it and they have a dinner train ride that leaves out of Canon City runs along the river and then back. Next time we are definitely planning on doing that.
Another thing to note, is that the gorge and bridge have been visited by celebrities (John Wayne being one) and presidents alike. There's a reason it's called "America's Bridge"
After leaving Royal Gorge, we decided to take a ride along Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is a narrow (and boy do I mean NARROW), one lane road along the ridge above US50. At one point you can stop and see dino footprints in the rock and there are small turnouts where you can stop and look down into Canon City and the countryside. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, I know that Jodi did so look for her to upload them here later. It was a bit 'thrilling' for us on the bike since the road is so narrow. I couldn't imagine doing it in a car. There were a few spots where the edge of the road was almost below the footboard of the bike. Jodi did gasp a few times, but she did good and didn't wiggle around and send us over the edge to our deaths below. 😆That being said, if you're ever in Canon City, I encourage you to take the drive. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the narrowness.
The next day we decided to go into Pueblo, CO. For those of you that grew up in the '70s & '80s, you probably remember the commercials directing you to order things from Pueblo. Mainly government documents if I remember correctly but I definitely remember the commercials. Anyway, we rode about and hour and then found our way to the Antique District. But first lunch. We found a quaint little place and ordered. I figured I'd order a cheeseburger. After all most places would struggle to mess up a cheeseburger. And while they didn't mess it up perse, it wasn't what I was expecting.
Leave it to folks in Colorado to put a cheeseburger on an English Muffin.
Since it was getting towards late afternoon we headed back to Canon City. We took a different route back and almost got caught in a rainstorm. We saw it coming towards us and pulled over to put a rain gear on. But as usual, when you put the gear on you don't get rain. If we hadn't, we'd have gotten soaked. Well, the new route took us along a more rural path and through Florence CO. While we were in Saratoga, a couple had arrived the night before we left that told us that if we enjoyed antique shopping, Florence was the place to go. They weren't wrong. As we passed through on Main Street, there were antique shops all along the street. We quickly made plans to come back the next day.
The next morning, we got up and decided to find breakfast in Florence since it was only about half an hour away from us. When we got there, we found a really cute cafe, The Aspen Leaf Bakery and Cafe. The coffee was good and the food delicious. Of course we had to try one of their homemade cookies. Mmmmmm, yummy. Then it was time for some shopping. We spend the whole day in and out of the antique shops finding really cool treasures. Now, as most of you know I'm a Marine, so when I find really old Marine Corps items I get excited.
An Old Marine Corps Recruiting Sign
A WW II Dress Blue Uniform. It had been
stored in a Marines' Seabag since 1949.
I couldn't pass up buying these two
Leatherneck magazines from March and April 1932. How cool...
One thing I hadn't counted on was finding antiques relating to Borden's Dairy. My Dad worked for Borden's in the '70s & '80s until he got too sick with MS to work. At which time they put him on workmen's comp, despite the fact that MS is not work related. As Dad was told at the time, he was part of the Borden's family and they take care of family. This way he would retain his medical coverage and retirement benefits. They don't make companies like that anymore.
An old milking pale with Else the Cow.
An OLD Borden's Malted Milk can.
I had never seen one of these before.
The 21st of September is my birthday and we were heading out to Amerillo, TX the next day so we pretty much stayed close to the RV prepping to head out the next morning early. But we did have a campfire and were enjoying all of the stars. I spotted what I thought was a plane heading towards, us but as it got closer I realized it wasn't a plane. It was a Starlink Train. That's a group of Starlink satellites that haven't been moved into their orbits yet after being launched into space. I had heard of them, but this was the first I'd seen. It was REALLY REALLY cool.
Those little white spots are Starlink satellites.
Here you can see them moving across the sky.
Well, next stop, Amerillo, TX.
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