Update from Canon City, Colorado

Tues 18th Oct

Left Moab and drove through the Colorado gorge north to the I70.
Soon entered Colorado. Our first visit was to the Colorado National Monument NP. Lots more red rocks, cliffs and views on a scenic drive through the park.
We left the I70 to continue our journey on the US50. Stopped off in Grand Junction and had a stroll round the pleasant but very quiet town centre.
Left the US50 and took the CO550 down to Ridgway and stayed at the same motel that we stayed at when we were last here. Went over the road to Panny's Soup and Pizza place. We each had a wonderful BLT called a Panwich - we would recommend it to anyone if they are in the area.
It must be the hunting season around here. The area is very busy with guys in trucks with quad-bikes loaded on the back. All the guys are wearing camouflage but with fluorescent orange bibs. I hope - and can only assume that deer etc. are colourblind.

Wed 19th Oct

Backtracked up the CO550 to Montrose then carried on east along US50.
Visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. It had been raining overnight and was still a little damp and drizzly, but enjoyed the scenery anyway. Met a tourist couple who had lived in Colorado all their lives but had never been there before. Seems we all miss the scenery near us.
Continued east on US50 following the Gunnison River all the way up to Monarch Pass 11312ft and the Continental Divide, where we found the the previous nights rain had fallen as snow here. Very appropriate for our highest point on the trip.
Going down the eastern slopes we soon found ourselves alongside the Arkansas River and overnighted in Canon City.
Tomorrow we will be continuing east along US50 towards Kansas. The task now is to find a Sports Bar somewhere in Kansas that will be open at 7.30am on Sunday morning and showing The Toon vs The Makems game.

Thurs 20th Oct

Visited the Royal Gorge Bridge this morning. It is very much out of season and many of the attractions were closed. We did however walk over the bridge, descend the gorge on the tram and cross the gorge on the aerial tram. www.royalgorgebridge.com
After leaving the Library here in Canon City we plan to visit the Prison Museum - apparently this city has a number of prisons and the prison service is the largest single employer here.
After that it will be lunch and then head out East.