In the final installment of my nostalgic vacation to Colorado, Ashley and I embarked on a journey to one of my favorite places on earth, Cañon City. A place my dad first took my sisters and I when we were very little, it became a staple in family vacations for many years and I couldn't wait to share a bit of my childhood with my best friend.
After a bit of a detour in Colorado Springs and a hotel that was under a lot of construction, we took off in you guessed it, rain, for a town southwest of CSP and checked into our new hotel with no other plans.
Homework? Done. Sort of.
Bodies? Relaxed.
Stomachs? Rumbling.
Taking to Google, we found a local Mexican restaurant, braved the rain, and popped into El Caporal Family Mexican Restaurant. We was tired. We was hungry. We wanted margaritas. And this place didn't disappoint. My order? Cheese enchiladas only. Margarita. The complimentary chips and salsa were some of the best I've ever had.
This relaxing evening paved the way for the crown jewel of Cañon City.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Address: 330 Royal Gorge Blvd, Cañon City, CO 81212
Cost: Coach- $49 adults, $44 children
Let me first start by saying that train rides are tight. Let me follow up by saying train rides along the river with a beer are even tighter.
Running ever 3ish hours, the train is a classic and comes equipped with a tour guide and two open air observation cars. It's a round trip ticket, there are no stops, but there is a dining option, a full bar, occasionally pretty tolerable children, and if you're lucky an adorable couple from Arkansas who treat you like their own children and buy your beer while they're seated next to you.
No lie, that happened to Ashley and I, and it was AWESOME. Usually ones to keep to ourselves, our new friends asked about our trips, told us about their retirement and their travels, and we most definitely talked about dogs.
Some of the best views from our trip were found on this three hour train ride, but travelers beware... groups of White Water rafters wait around every corner. Sometimes with their ass out. Try listening to parents explain THAT to their kids on the open air car.
Sorry if this post comes across as a little bland and boring and lacks my usual content, but sometimes when you're on vacation you actually have to take time and relax. If that means laying in bed for four hours, do it. If that means hopping on a vintage train for $50 and drinking a beer and watching the mountains and learning about Colorado? Do it.
Moral of the story: childhood vacation hot spots are even cooler as adults.
Just go on the trip, your money comes back eventually.
Ciao,
Courtney
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