Colorado Springs/Canon City/Manitou Springs 2009

We bought a combo ticket for the train and park. It included all the rides at the park with the exception of the Sky Screamer. The train was pretty cool, we stood in the open air car on the way there and enjoyed the sights, and watched the rafters going down the Arkansas River. We stopped at the suspension bridge, although we didn't know why we did until we went to the park and saw the free movie about the history of the bridge and Royal Gorge. It is pretty amazing that the train was suspended above the river. We took the skyride (aerial tram) over and walked the bridge back. The skyride would have been nicer if we hadn't been packed in like sardines. We also enjoyed the incline railway and met some really nice people in line. this park is really nice for families.

This was our first whitewater rafting trip and didn't know what to expect. We decided to do the BigHorn Sheep Canyon tour with class 2 and 3 rapids. although we had a blast, we both decided that if we every get to do this again, we will do the 3 and 4 rapids. We got a really great picture that looks like our raft was about to get overtaken by a rapid. The water was 62 degrees, but felt really good in the sun. Great time!

We left about 8:45 am for the drive to Cripple Creek. We drove around Pikes Peak through woodland Park and some more gorgeous views. We stopped at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine to take a tour in a real working gold mine. It was really cool and definitely recommend it to everyone.

We then stopped at the heritage Center where we learned a bit more about the gold mining in the region. From here, we drove into Cripple Creek, which is really only a lot of casinos. If you're not going to gamble, there is really nothing here. A few shops, but nothing significant. The lady at the Heritage Center told us to go to Victor, CO, about 5 miles further and visit the Trading Company and Museum. This town was tiny, tiny. The trading company was pretty interesting - they make brooms, have their own printing press, make their own candles, etc. We didn't go into the museum. You also get to take a look at the gold mines and apparatus they use on the drive into Victor. The only place you can get gas in either place is in Cripple Creek (1 gas station).