The Closing Adventures of Our Trip to Teton Springs

The morning began with breakfast and then we headed to Canon City, Colorado to see the Royal Gorge Bridge.

The beautiful Rocky Mountains

We saw the Royal Gorge Welcome Center that advertised train tickets.  We stopped there but it was not open yet.  We looked across the street and saw the Canon City Visitors Center.

Canon City Visitors Center

The lady there was very helpful and gave us information about the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Time to load up in the car again

We left the visitors center and drove toward the Royal Gorge Bridge.  Mel use OnStar.  Since we were in the mountains, they could not download turn-by-turn directions so the adviser just went over them with us.  We thought we remembered them, but we did not.  Jerry and Cathy thought we should continue on the winding road around the mountain for a few miles.  Mel understood that we needed to turn around and go a different route.  Joe and Margaret were neutral.  Mel did what Jerry and Cathy thought.  After several miles we were not making progress.  Both agreed it was time to follow the directions Mel understood.  YES, Mel was correct!!!  Let me repeat:  Mel was correct!   Jerry and Cathy had to deal with this reminder the remainder of the day.  (Talk about punishment!).  Haha! Another funny story to add.

We did make it to the Royal Gorge Park.  To be able to get close to the bridge or walk across it, we would have to purchase a $22 ticket apiece to the Royal Gorge Park which had several rides, petting animals, etc.  We decided it was not worth it to us because we were not interested in the rides or petting animals (we can do that at home).

After checking with a park ranger we found out there was a trail down to an observation site for viewing the bridge.

We paid $.50 to view through the viewer.  What a magnificent sight with the mountains, gorge and the bridge that spanned the mountains!

Fascinated by the depth of the river below the bridge

Our terrific chauffeur

The Royal Gorge Bridge

Looking down at the river below

After viewing the bridge we were ready to head toward Dodge City, Kansas, our next destination.

Landscapes along the way

While driving through Pueblo, Colorado we spotted Black-eyed Pea Restaurant.   Years ago we enjoyed eating at one on Expressway when we lived in Yukon.  The consensus was unanimous - the
Black-eyed Pea!

Jerry and Margaret enjoyed strawberry lemonade.  Joe had his usual - tea without ice.

Our waitress serving our raspberry tea

Something new that we had not experienced before - batter fried green beans served with regular Ranch dressing and Jalapeño Ranch.  Delicious!!

Another funny story:

Mel decided to use OnStar for our route to Holiday Inn Express in Dodge City, Kansas.  When he pushed the button the computerized directions came on instead of an adviser.  Well, we might as well give it a chance.  He told it, "Holiday Inn Express and it came back with "Holly, Florida?".  He said, "Cancel!", then it replied, "Carleton, Kansas?".  After a pause, it finally said, "I will transfer you to an adviser."  "Thank you!" he answered with a sigh of relief.

Landscapes between Pueblo, Colorado and Dodge City, Kansas

We saw more corn.  Like us they were experiencing drought.

Cattle feed lots, as we know them, were very prevalent along that route.  We counted at least 10.  In that part of the country they are not called "feed lots" instead they are called "feed yards".   Learn something new everyday!

Our Holiday Inn Express

Time to unload for the night

Checking In

In the elevator discussing where to eat dinner

The 2 young men at the desk of the hotel recommended Casey's Cowtown.  That was where we went.

Inside the restaurant

The buffalo was made of denim.

The menu

Our waiter taking our orders

Mel, Cathy, Jerry, Margaret and Joe at our table

At Casey's Cowtown Joe and Jerry had shrimp.  Margaret had chicken.  Mel and I had steak.  Mel teased the others saying that since they had sold their cattle, they only ate fish and chicken.

After enjoying a very good meal we headed back to the hotel.  On our way back we were having a good laugh about some funny happenings on the trip.  I commented hat it was hard to laugh on a full stomach. Mel replied, "Then you better not ride with me!"

We continued to joke about the" doughnut shop that wasn't" in Keystone, South Dakota.  I asked Mel if Margaret and I could take a picture of one we had just passed in case we wanted to have doughnuts in the morning.  Another good laugh!

Time for a good night's rest!  Sometime tomorrow we would be home!

Our Adventures at Teton Springs - Starting Home

The day had come when it was time for everyone to start home.  Since Donny had flown to Jackson, he needed to go to Jackson Airport.  There was no need for him to get a cab as it was on our way.   We could all load up in the car, take him to the airport and then begin our trek home.
Our morning began at 4:00 a.m. so we could get Donny to the airport by 6:00 for his 7:00 flight home.
How much can you load in a Traverse?  It is surprising!!  With 3 large suitcases, another smaller suitcase, briefcase, overnight bags and shopping bags plus 6 people we made it!

A glimpse inside the loaded car

I sat on Mel's lap in the very back seat.

Donny at the airport

I know the sign says barbecue, but they are known for a good breakfast as well.  Donny had told us Bubba's might be a good place to eat before heading to interstate.  Since it was not light yet, our driver suggested that we stop for breakfast and let the sun come up so we could see the road signs better.

Our destination was Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Waiting for Bubba's to open

Our chauffeur checking the atlas for the roads we needed to get to I-80 South

Margaret asked Mel if we would be going through a certain town on our way home.  Mel replied, "Maybe!".  Anyone wonder about our chauffeur at this point???  Haha!  - another funny story added to our many.

Reminiscing about our time at the cabin with Donny

Time to pay the check

Mel and Cathy with the bear

Jerry paying his tab

The scenery from Jackson, Wyoming to Colorado Springs, Colorado consisted of mountains, rocks, flatter grasslands, then more mountains in the distant background until we got closer to Colorado Springs.  Once again we would see tall mountains - the Rocky Mountains.

A pronghorn on the side of the mountain

Jerry was in charge of selecting the next stop along the way.

Flying J became our place for restroom breaks, gas fill-ups or just a time to stretch the legs.

Mel had missed his ice cream the day before so he made sure he had some today!

More scenery along the way

Closer to Colorado Springs, Colorado

Late in the evening we made it to our destination - Holiday Inn Express at Colorado Springs, near the Air Force Academy.

The lady who checked us in

Across the street from the hotel were several restaurants.  After being in the car all day it was time to get some exercise and walk.  We decided to be daring and try a new one - Old Chicago, a pasta and pizza restaurant.  It was a good choice!

Waiting to be seated

The menu

What do we want to eat???

Our waiter bringing our food

Joe and Mel had spaghetti with meatballs.

Cathy had thin crust pizza.

Jerry had the Chicago style pizza.

Margaret had a guacamole burger.

Our food was delicious!

Everyone was ready for a good night's sleep so we would be ready for our next day's drive toward home.