We had a nice surprise last night. US-24, which passes within about 75 feet of our RV space here at Goldfield RV Park, is not heavily used by noisy traffic at night. It was almost nearly sort of quiet last night and we were able to sleep without the ear-splitting racket, rail traffic and tire whine that we encountered at the Bison Ranch in Wyoming. Whoda thought that a place in downtown Colorado Springs would be quieter than an RV park in rustic rural Wyoming? Our RV site is still skinnier than Twiggy and the wi-fi is almost slug-like for data transmission rates but we only stay here at night so we are okay.
We saddled up for some exploring today and decided to start by going to the local park called Garden of the Gods. Right after we left the RV park, we crossed US-24 and noted an interesting little store advertising some goods unique to this area. Due to the wisdom and efforts of Coloradans, marijuana sales and possession are legal here and the cute little store was offering eighth ounce units for $18 and full ounces for $110. The progressive laws here even allow non-residents to take advantage of the sales, with certain volume restrictions, which seems infinitely realistic and very reasonable unless you are among those that believe in the archaic, regressive and stupid former laws. Let’s see….we have no fixed agenda and we certainly have $50 or $75 to spare….uhhh….more on this later, perhaps.
Garden of the Gods Park access is free and we almost could not believe it. This park has spectacular red and white rock formations set in a magnificent garden with ample spots to park and hike within the park. We slowly crept along the few miles of roads admiring the varied views of the fantastic geology for about an hour and then vowed to return later in the day when the light would be different.
From Garden of the Gods we hopped back on US-24 westbound to make a return trip to Cripple Creek, a small community located at about 10,000′ elevation on the west side of Pike’s Peak. The drive there climbs rather steeply from our park in Colorado Springs and the roadside scenery is beautiful passing through conifer forests with big groves of Aspen trees that are beginning to turn colors as autumn approaches. Peggy and I went to Cripple Creek in 1979 and, at that time, it was a small town with about five streets, three of them paved, and some funky touristy stuff to do like buying shot glasses and panning for salted gold in a small wooden box attended by a ginger dressed up like a 19th century miner complete with embarrassing hat. In ’79 we stopped at a gift shop called the Brass Ass and purchased a souvenir shot glass. The main drag then was pretty cute.
Cripple Creek has changed rather dramatically in 36 years. There are many more streets, tract houses abound, all downtown business now seem to be casinos with entry alcoves reeking of cigarette smoke and there is no such thing as free parking. We found the Brass Ass again but the former tourist trinket shop has transformed into a large casino and we had to ask around to find out where to purchase a newer shot glass. It turned out that shot glasses were available in a small snack bar downstairs in the casino where we picked up the new, revisionist version of the old-style unit. The glass may be an bona fide old western authentic Chinese-manufactured specimen with cheap paint.
There were some gorgeous old cars cruising around town and we scoped out a few before departing town and heading for Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument which is only about a dozen miles away from Cripple Creek. Although the area scenery is dramatic, no fossils can be seen at this monument except in the visitor center where I was fortunate enough to be able to snap a nice picture of some fossilized fish puke. Using our federal access pass we got in free, saving another $10. We ate our picnic lunch near the visitor center surrounded by great scenery, colorful birds and the sound of the breeze passing through the trees.
From the fossil beds, we drove back east on US-24 and re-entered Garden of the Gods. We did right this morning vowing to return later in the day. The light had changed and the scenery had changed right along with it. This park is gorgeous and Peg and I are going back in the morning for some leisurely strolling on the trails between the rock pinnacles.