We've been enjoying spending time with Tom & Krystal and my brother and his family. The winds have been blowing and the temps have been topping out in the mid 50's and bottoming out in the low 30's, the mountain tops have snow winter will be here soon. We plan to leave Saturday and head to southern NM, a few days driving we should find some warmer temperatures. Don't know quite where we're going but we have 3 weeks till our reservation in Phoenix.
Today we decided to take a ride, headed out to Canon City to see what havoc the wild fires wreaked to the Royal Gorge Bridge area. We were
able to drive back to the picnic area but not down where the buildings,tram and various things had been, we'd heard they had been destroyed and
assume that's the case since they've gated the road. From the picnic area we walked down towards the Arkansas River where we
were able to see the bridge, the other rim and where the aerial tram
used to cross. We could see where the fire had marched across the ridge,
while we couldn't see much of what was on our side we can only imagine
what it looks like evidence of fire ravaging the area was all around as
we drove through the area.
We then turned south on CO 69 heading up in elevation, we had lunch in Westcliff at a little burger joint where Dave entertained some high school kids while they waited for their lunch-high school was across the street. When Dave meets young folks his favorite question to ask them is if they know where VT is, unfortunately anymore most don't have a real grasp on the US geography, hey at least these knew it was in the north east.
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Afterwards we took CO 96 to CO 165 which had us topping out around 9500', along the way we came upon a Roadside America attraction I'd heard about, Bishop Castle which we stopped to take a look at and you can read the history about here. Dave hiked to the top of the castle but I'm finding as I get older vertigo bothers me more and more, this a cool place, lots of stained glass, iron work and a large imagination, admission is on a donation basis.
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| Bishop's Castle |
Our day ended with a visit to Tom & Krystal's place, they had opted not to go to any haunted houses and their party didn't start until 10pm way past our bedtime so we hung out with them for awhile enjoying a game of cards and homemade apple pie.
Today is our last day here, Tom is working today and the rest of the weekend, my brother has to get ready for a photo workshop in Moab UT next week, he leaves early Saturday morning. So tomorrow we head for warmer climates but today we'll take another ride.
Until next time...
Glad your foot is getting better. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think Colorado will be on our itinerary next year, and your pictures make us anxious to get there.
Just do it during the summer it 's a tad cold this time of the year. I imagine during the summer this park gets pretty booked as nice as it is and with full hookups.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had some great time with family. That makes any cold weather much easier to take :)
ReplyDeleteSafe travels!
It has been easier to take with seeing family, actually was a bit warmer than we thought until we got up into the higher elevations. On to NM and warmth.
DeleteNice family time! Safe travels as you head south.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed our time, always sad to leave but they are calling for snow next week so we are out of here.
DeleteThanks for all the photos of our old stomping grounds. We called southern CO home for 18 years. We also travel with two vehicles....our daughter lives in Denver and our son in Phoenix. So we find ourselves traveling between the two locations; not the worst scenario. Safe travels....Raton Pass can get nasty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, glad you enjoyed the photos we've enjoyed visiting the area since the 90's and always find CO breathtaking in it's beauty and diversity. Your kids seem to have settled into the same areas ours have, not bad places to "have" to visit. Not looking forward to Raton Pass but it's suppose to be a beautiful day so we'll brave it.
DeleteGlad you're getting around more. Yesterday it was 60 degrees tonight we're supposed to get 1-2 inches of snow 😒. We're having dinner with the McDonald's next Saturday and playing cards. It will be the first time we've played cards without you.
ReplyDeleteDeb
"Enjoy" your snow, glad to hear you're getting together with Mike & Carol wish we could teleport there for the game. Suppose to teach David spades since Laura likes to play so guess we'll have our first game with out all of you too. We'll give Les a call
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