Cave of the Winds

Owen and Kathy

Due to all the fires and fire dangers the usual 4th of July fireworks were cancelled in Canon City so we had to figure out something else to do. We gave Owen the choice of riding the Royal Gorge Train or going to Cave of the Winds. As you can tell from the pictures, which he chose. It was so beautiful at the Cave of the Winds, even with all the smoky haze in the air. 

Bruce and Owen

The canyon below the caves

The cave tour was good but a bit too rushed. We even got separated from our group at one point because the guide was is such a rush. It has an interesting history, according the their website it was "Discovered in 1869 and opened to public tours in 1881, Cave of the Winds has been a place for visitors to explore the underground world for 130 years. But the history of the caves goes back even further – it’s millions of years old!"

The ladder is a remnant of the one used to climb into the cavern before the walkways were put into place.

 Sadly, back in it's earlier days, guests were encouraged to break of the stalactites and stalagmites and keep as souvenirs. If you look closely at the picture below you can see where they are broken.

Getting strapped in, putting on a brave front.

One last check of the safety equipment...

And off we go!

  

The return trip - backwards!

Owen and his Papa continue to work on his motor model.

Owen's bucket list included a zip line ride so here we go!

The Dinosaur Museum and the Segway Track

The Dinosaur Museum in Canon City, CO is a great place to take an almost 8 year old boy! The museum is small but so is the entry fee of $4 for adults and $2 for kids. It was interesting to find out that there is a big archaeologic dig near by in Garden City Park. 

One of our busier Saturday night get to gathers at Mountain View RV Resort.

Owen had a choice to take the train ride to the Royal Gorge or ride a Segway. As you can see, he chose the Segway. He and Bruce had a blast on the Segway Track.

Owen receiving instruction on how to ride the Segway.

Owen and Bruce on the Segway Track.

Bishop's Castle, Again.

OK, Bishop's Castle is a fun place to take people so hear we are again. Always fun to watch how everyone reacts to it. Jim Bishop was working away - building onto what appears to be a moat. It will be interesting to see what it turns out to be. Stacy, Gary and Owen really enjoyed seeing the castle, just make sure to keep an eye on your little kids, it's not the safest place but very eccentric to say the least.

Gary and Owen on the Bridge to No Where

Some of the electric wiring...scary!

Love the stairwells

Jim Bishop hard at work

Me and Owen peeking through the window

Climbed one of the tower to ring the bell

Breckenridge, CO - Wonderful way to spend a day!

We took a day trip to Breckenridge and we all fell in love with the place! After a wonderful lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. we took a stroll, did some shopping, some sight-seeing and ran into a building to avoid getting soaked (not complaining, they need the rain real bad!) The flower garden was beautiful! The city even provides free gondola rides up to the ski lodge. Fabulous day!!

Stacy, Owen and Gary at Bubba Gumps

Stacy and Owen, I see evidence of some shopping

One of the several beautiful views of Breckenridge

Free Gondola rides to the ski lodge. 

White Water Festival and Royal Gorge Bridge - June 23 and 25, 2012

Yeah! Stacy, Gary and Owen are here for a visit! Let the fun begin :-) We went to the Royal Gorge White Water Festival that was in Canon City and enjoyed listening to a couple of local bands.

Owen, Stacy and Gary with us at the Royal Gorge White
Water Festival in Canon City, CO

 We really enjoyed the Royal Gorge Bridge Park! We thought that the $26 entry was a bit high until we got there. A lot to do that is included in the price and we ended up spending 5 hours there. Probably would have stayed even longer but it was so hot!

Owen and Kathy at the Royal Gorge

A rare White Buffalo calf at the Royal Gorge Bridge Zoo

Bruce and Owen at the Royal Gorge Bridge

Owen enjoying the Gorge

Miramont Castle, Manitou Springs, CO

Miramont Castle

We drove up to see Tom and Mary Ann who had moved up to Manitou Springs for a week before moving on to the northwest. We loved driving through the area called "Old Colorado City" which is a historic district in Colorado Springs. It was an artsy looking area with cute outside cafes. It looks a lot like Manitou Springs just not as crowded. I want to come back here and spend a day just walking and seeing the sights. 

 I had read about the Miramont Castle online and wanted to see it. Lo and behold, an old friend is the manager there, small world! It was great seeing Donita again and the castle was interesting and has been restored beautifully. The Castle has a colorful history so it was great getting to see it. Tom and Mary Ann fixed us a wonderful spaghetti lunch and a relaxing time visiting with them before heading back to Canon City. 

As we were leaving Garden of the Gods RV Park I noticed what appeared to be smoke over Pike's Peak and as we drove down 115 the smoke became more obvious. After getting home we found out that there is a new wild fire at Lake George on 24 west of Colorado Springs. Praying for the firefighters and the people with homes and businesses in the area!

Looking north on 50 just west of Canon City at the smoke.

Wolf Kisses - Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation, Guffey, CO

Another early day of fun with Tom and Mary Ann! We rode up to Guffey, CO with them at 8:00 am, and those you you that know me know I don't do mornings :-)  We met a couple of interns, Mandy and Sandrine, from Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation at Rita's Cafe in Guffey, CO. They had a presentation about the history of the Foundation while we ate a wonderful breakfast. We then followed them a couple of miles to the sanctuary to meet the wolves and wolfdogs.
What a wonderful experience!! It is a wolf and wolfdog rescue sanctuary I highly recommend a visit if you are ever in the area. They require visits by appointment only and it is free admission (they gladly accept donations). You get up close to most of the wolves and wolfdogs, even getting licks from them and then they want a belly rub. It is very sad that several of these came from an abuse home but Mark Johnson rescued them and bringing them back to health, both phyically and mentally. It was also interesting to learn about "imprinting". Two of the four wolves that were in a litter were removed from their mother before they opened their eyes so that the first thing they would see would be a human. This makes them be able to interact with us without fear. The 2 that imprinted with their mother are very nervous around humans, not knowing how to respond. 
This is definitely something to put on your bucket list!

Kathy getting kisses from "Momma" an abused wolfdog

Bruce getting accepted by Momma

They love to be loved on.

 

A wolfdog with one blue and one amber eye

Lakota is a little standoffish but beautiful

Tom and Mary Ann with Lakota

Lakota letting me know I'm accepted by her

The black wolf was imprinted with her mom so she just watches

Chowing down on a 40 lb chunky of horse meat

I think this is Apache, but she loves her belly rubbed.

The 2 wonderful interns, Brandy (from New Jersey) and Sandrine (from France).