August 2017
Day 8 was a busy one. We got up and drove to Canon City to visit Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. We walk across the suspension bridge and back, took an aerial gondola ride over the gorge and walked around the park. We even bumped into some big horn sheep. They were one of the animals we'd been hoping to see in the wild! We drove into Downtown Canon City to go to the Owl Cigar Store for lunch before heading to Cripple Creek for a tour of The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. We squeezed into a tiny skip (miner's elevator) and went 1000 feet below ground to learn about the history and methods of gold mining. We left with a piece of ore, that I'm pretty sure is worth as much as the rocks in my yard but it makes a nice souvenir. We ended the day back at the Pueblo Riverwalk. This time we got there in time for a boat ride and dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the Riverwalk.
That’s Pike’s Peak off in the distance
That’s Pike’s Peak off in the distance
We spent the morning in Canon City.
Driving along US Route 50
Headed to Royal Gorge Park today
I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing around here as a road without amazing scenery.
There’s Royal Gorge!
Looking across the Royal Gorge Bridge
The view down into Royal Gorge to the Arkansas River
The view down into Royal Gorge to the Arkansas River
Looking out over Royal Gorge
Crossing the gorge
Crossing the gorge
That’s the Arkansas River way down there
I have no problem standing on this bridge, but you wouldn’t catch me rafting on the river
The cable anchors keeping this thing from falling into the gorge.
The cable anchors keeping this thing from falling into the gorge.
The Royal Gorge Bridge from the other rim
The Royal Gorge Bridge from the other rim
A herd of big horn sheep wandered through while we were there.
A herd of big horn sheep wandered through while we were there.
A herd of big horn sheep wandered through while we were there.
This big horn sheep doesn’t look too happy with me
The Royal Gorge Bridge looks a lot longer from here.
The Royal Gorge Bridge’s towers are perched on the edges of the gorge.
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
A herd of big horn sheep wandered through while we were there.
We stopped in the theatre to watch a short film about Royal Gorge
Ready to walk back over the Royal Gorge Bridge
There’s goes the train. We’ll ride that tomorrow.
The open air car on the train gives a great view of the gorge
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
You can also cross Royal Gorge by aerial tram. We did that too.
Looking way down to the Arkansas River
And we’re back where we started
The scenery here is always amazing
The Royal Gorge Water Clock
Waiting to board the aerial tram.
Downtown Canon City is a quaint little place
We had lunch at the Owl Cigar Store which is a diner that’s frozen in time. That time is 1951.
We had lunch at the Owl Cigar Store which is a diner that’s frozen in time. That time is 1951.
We had lunch at the Owl Cigar Store which is a diner that’s frozen in time. That time is 1951.
We had lunch at the Owl Cigar Store which is a diner that’s frozen in time. That time is 1951.
We had lunch at the Owl Cigar Store which is a diner that’s frozen in time. That time is 1951.
Downtown Canon City is a quaint little place
The Saint Cloud Hotel in downtown Canon City
Downtown Canon City is a quaint little place
Sunflowers like this grow all over Colorado along the roadside.
Driving over the rolling hills of CO Route 67
Travelling under amazing blue skies
Arriving in Cripple Creek on the backside of Pike’s Peak
The small town of Cripple Creek is on the backside of Pike’s Peak
Yes, there are mules at large in Cripple Creek.
The small town of Cripple Creek is on the backside of Pike’s Peak
Cripple Creek is mining country
We took a tour of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine
This mine skip is our ride to the bottom of the 1000 foot mine shaft
Even miners are creative. These flowers are made of drill bits and such.
Mines use a system of bells to summon the mine skip (elevator).
My mother is ready to go mining
Ready to head deep into the Earth!
Stay classy miners.
The mine skip (elevator) is small. And we’re going to put 6 people in it. She’s telling me I’m next.
We’ve arrived at our destination 1000 feet below ground.
Air powered trains are used in the mine.
We’re insanely deep below the surface.
I’m glad I don’t have to climb up there.
There are all sorts of minerals in the mine.
I’m glad I don’t have to climb up there.
The mine tunnels are surprisingly roomy.
Buckets like this are used to move ore between levels.
This is our tour guide, a professional miner.
The visitor center at the Mollie Kathleen
Welcome to Cripple Creek
When I think of the west, I think of freight trains crossing open spaces.
When I think of the west, I think of freight trains crossing open spaces.
Tonight we got to the Pueblo Riverwalk early enough for a boat ride.
Cruising the Pueblo Riverwalk
The Pueblo Riverwalk boat isn’t crowded tonight. We get a private tour!
Cruising the Pueblo Riverwalk
Cruising the Pueblo Riverwalk
Statues along the Pueblo Riverwalk
A memorial to Zebulon Pike
The Pueblo Riverwalk is quiet and peaceful tonight
Just a boy and his dog fishing
Golden hour at the Pueblo Riverwalk
Pueblo City Hall
The Pueblo Riverwalk also has space for events. It was nice a quiet tonight though.
The Colorado state flag at sunset
Veterans' Bridge crosses the Pueblo Riverwalk and honors veterans of all branches of the military
Regardless of carbs, we had to have something with Pueblo chiles on it while in Pueblo.
We dined at Brues Alehouse right on the riverwalk
Walking off the great dinner up on Veterans' Bridge after dark.