Aug 13th ot 15th - Canon City

Aug 13th – Sat – Canon City
I stayed in bed and read while Terry drank coffee and started watching another movie. Then I decided that it was time to figure out how to secure our recliners so they don’t turn and rock when we travel. We have tried several variations of crossing the existing straps but nothing works really well and a blanket between the backs of the chairs will not stay in place. We bought some fleece fabric so I added elastic to secure it over one chair. Terry got out a box with various straps, moved some D-rings and figured out that we needed a couple more rings.
We headed into town to get them and to visit the repair place to see what is happening with our parts. The main service guy was not in but another guy said the wheel well skirt will not be a problem to get but the mag wheels are not easy to find. We went to a couple of places looking for the D-rings – and found them - stopped at Verizon for some information and came back to the park where I made a late, light lunch.
Terry wanted to talk to the service guy who was due back about 3 so he went back to town while I caught up on expenses. The service guy ended up not getting back to the shop so we don’t know any more.
We were going to have all-you-can-eat ribs at a nearby restaurant and were told that they sold out last week so we should get there about 4. There were few cars there at 4 so we came back and had a drink. We drove by again at 5:30 and there were still not many customers so we decided to go to the Fireman’s Ball instead which the owner of the park told us about. It was held at a bar & restaurant just down the street and had a buffet dinner and a dance later. After we ate, we found out that the band didn’t start until 9. We didn’t want to sit & drink until then so we came back to the rig for a while and then went back for the dance. We had a beer while we waited for them to set up, listened to 2 songs and decided that we were definitely too old even though the music was supposed to be from the 60’s & 70’s.

Aug 14th – Sun – Canon City
We left early to drive to Manitou Springs just west of Colorado Springs to take the cog railway up Pike’s Peak. We had lots of time to stop for breakfast at a pancake house. We saw cars parked all along the narrow, hilly road up to the railway station so when we saw a parking lot advertising $5 parking near the station, we pulled in. After we picked up our tickets, we discovered a free lot for train customers a little further up the road!
Our train left a few minutes late at 10:45 for the nearly 9 mile, 1 hour & 20 minute steep ride to the top. There was a very personable “conductor” on our car who pointed out things to see, provided little history lessons and included a few jokes. We sat across from a young couple who live in Denver and enjoyed talking with them.
We had about 35 minutes at the top to walk around, take pictures and visit the gift shop and snack bar. I had read on the website that it would be cool at the 14,100 foot elevation so we wore long pants and took light jackets which we were glad to have. You can drive up the mountain on a toll road and a lot of vehicles were parked at the top. A 13 mile hiking path also goes up the mountain and a lot of in-shape, ambitious people walk up or hike at least part of the way.
It started to rain when we were going down. We went to The Garden of the Gods but just drove through and took pictures rather than get out in the rain for closer shots. We stopped for a hamburger and then came back via Cripple Creek and visited a casino that we missed last time! Terry started out winning money while I slowly lost. Then we turned around with Terry giving back the money he won and me winning a bit but not keeping it. When we were walking out, I had $10 left so we each took $5. I lost mine and Terry turned his into $20 so we cashed out and drove home. We got home about 8:30 and had ice cream for dinner.

Aug 15th – Mon – Canon City
Terry got up fairly early and played games on the computer. I read for a while in bed and finally got up and got going. After breakfast, we made yet another trip into town to the repair shop. I sat on a bench and had a lovely long chat with cousin Pat while Terry waited to talk to the service manager and then paced around waiting for me to get off the phone to tell me that we had to come in later in the afternoon. We stopped at Radio Shack to get some information about Dish Network which was a waste of time. Back at the rig Terry did some research on the computer while I did some cleaning and then made lunch.
I got the use of the clubhouse to do a couple more loads of laundry. Terry carried it over and then left to go to the repair shop again. I had just finished when Terry came back and said we would take the 5th wheel in tomorrow morning for the sheet metal work, stay in it in the yard of the RV/repair place tomorrow night and then they would paint on Wednesday. We will also probably have to drive to Colorado Springs and maybe Denver to pick up tires and wheels so we can get on the road again soon.
I think blown tires are part of our life right now. We were coming back from town today and a truck going the other way blew a tire just as we passed it. Terry jumped and swerved and I wasn’t sure if the tire was ours or his for a moment.