DAY 4 – From Royal Gorge through mountain summits to Colorado Springs

Our day started out perfectly. We had missed Mass on Saturday due to the faux pas St. Michael’s made on their website. But we managed to make it on Sunday morning, and who should appear but Pope Francis in one dimension.

 After Mass we headed out to conquer the Royal Gorge area. Miles and I were a bit disappointed to learn the most of the park had been destroyed by wild fire in 2013. Fortunately for Ethan we had traveled there in 2012. Unfortunately for Ken & YaYa we were unable to tram down to the bottom of the gorge, the fire melted the train and tracks. However, we did get to travel across the gorge by way of gondola then we trekked across the bridge back to the other side. One of the only fixtures the park managed to save (besides the bridge itself) was the clock that ran with the aid of a water wheel. The elevation of that area is only a little over 5,300 ft. so it got a little warm by mid-day, about 80 degrees.

Water Clock

Standing at the foot of the bridge

Leaving the park, we discovered that in our excitement we managed to miss lunch so we made our way back into the historic downtown of Canon City. We found a Cajun restaurant called Bistreaux, unfortunately there were no people in the restaurant so we made our way down to a local brewery and grill, the Royal Gorge Brewery and Grill. It was delicious, but we felt a little guilty for not supporting a down home boy.

Now we were fat and happy and ready for our next adventure, Phantom Canyon. It had been a few years since Miles and I had travelled that dirt road up to Cripple Creek and we were eager to share the magnificent vistas the winding road had to offer. We soon learned that we were to be disappointed again. Rains had washed out the road and we would have to find a different, more civilized way to Cripple Creek. Always up to the challenge we found one. The scenery was beautiful but it wasn’t Phantom Canyon. Oh well, guess we just have to make another trip.

By the time we made it to our next destination we were a little wiped out. So we found a restaurant close by, had dinner, and climbed into bed.