June 5, 2014

6/5/14 Rest day in Canon City

Started "rest day" early, as we had to be at the pickup station at 8:00 am for the ride to the Royal Gorge Train depot. Along the way, our driver told us all about the wildlife we were about to see -  bighorn sheep, deer, bears, birds, etc. The suspension bridge at Royal Gorge is the highest in the world at 1053 feet above the Arkansas River. The train lady told us that the difference between a canyon and a gorge is that a canyon is wide and a gorge is deep. 

The train trip took approximately 2 hours round trip, running alongside the Arkansas River and under the Royal Gorge Bridge. The bridge itself and the park are currently closed due to a fire that occurred a year ago. We spent the entire time standing in the outside car admiring the stunning views. Due to the runoff from recent heavy snows, the Arkansas River is at the highest levels since 2011, and commercial rafting on that portion that runs under the bridge is prohibited for the time being. We chatted with a number of folks from various parts of the country, and took each others' pictures. It was a pleasant trip, and just long enough. However, the only wildlife sighting was a single mule deer and a few highflying birds. Disappointing to say the least.

We learned that Canyon City's main business is correctional institutions. They have 12 prisons, 10 of which are currently operating, and have housed many notorious past and current inmates. The UniBomber is a current resident, and former inmates include mafia figures and Timothy McVeigh. The first WTC bombers. Canyon City's other main business is tourism, and especially whitewater rafting. 

After lunch, we donned wet suits and were transported some 10 miles or so west for the whitewater rafting. As mentioned previously, we were not able to raft under the Royal Gorge Bridge; however, there was plenty of class III -IV rapids and whitewater running through gorges with stunning views. Highway 50 runs alongside, and I kept thinking what a fabulous ride it would be with that whitewater in view. The weather was perfect - bright blue skies and mid-80's. Our guide, Mark, did a superb job leading us through some very exhilarating passes and relaying all sorts of history, geologic info, and background. There were two other men in our raft that are chefs at a local restaurant, and we all coordinated really well in the raft. I have been on a few raft trips over the years, but have to say that this was probably the best overall experience. LaDonna looked like she was in Heaven.

On the way back to town, who did we pass going in the opposite direction but the now fully loaded cross-country biker on the Trek. I guess he got off to a late start on the next leg. 

After our busy day, we were starving - so what else is new? We returned to our favorite dinner spot because of the free pie that comes with the early dinner. I had the chicken stir fry with all sorts of veggies, capped off by the apple pie a la mode. Delicious. This place claims to have the best pie in the world, and while I won't go that far, it is above average. Then again, everything tastes better when you are biking and hungry. 

Canon City has been a blast, but time to move on. Looks like either Salida or Westcliffe.