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This weekend trip was twofold in that it was the beginning of my month-long art exhibit in Cañon City, Colorado, and a two-night stay in two bed and breakfasts in the area.  Our art show was being featured in the Fremont Center for the Arts in Cañon City and consisted of the work of three women.  We drove down on August 1st to hang our art and returned on the 3rd for the evening reception.  After the reception, the others went home while I stayed on for two nights to see the city and the surrounding area.

I had only passed through Cañon City (pr Canyon) once a few years ago, but was aware that it featured many old buildings and lots of art in the Historic Downtown area.  Just what inspires me!  It is also the home of the world's highest suspension bridge (the Royal Gorge), some fantastic river rafting, zipline tours, and of course the Royal Gorge Railroad where you can enjoy spectacular vistas, have a meal, or enjoy the Murder Mystery Train.  I was very hot and exhausted after the show so I went directly to the Jewel of the Canyons Bed and Breakfast, which coincidentally, was diagonally across the way from the Fremont Center for the Arts.  I did manage to pop out of the show and across the road to listen to a little jazz, which they have on the first Fridays of the summer months that coincide with galleries all being open in the evenings for viewers to stop by and have a glass of wine and a snack, and hopefully to buy some art.

After a lovely breakfast and great company at the bed and breakfast, I headed out for a walk around the historic district.  Cañon City was founded around 1861 and some of the old buildings are still around.  You can walk up and down Main Street where you'll find an array of art galleries, restaurants, interesting used clothes and items stores, and more.  Sadly, many people drive right through the city without going just a block up to Main Street where all the action is.  I walked down to the Arkansas River and the Royal Gorge Train station.  Beautiful surrounds with grassy patches.  Lots of people like to walk or bike ride on the trail alongside the river.  Do keep a lookout for the many murals around this city.

A drive along the Skyline Drive is well worth the trip.  Just a few miles west on US Hwy-50 and you'll see the sign on the right.  A one-way drive across a skinny road high above the ground will give you stunning views of the city and area below.  The road was built by chain gangs from Territorial Prison.  Fremont County is home to a number of prisons, one being "Old Max" where the "shoe bomber" and the "una-bomber" are housed.  Apparently there are about 8,000 inmates in the area.

After some walking around, I had to check out of the B&B, so after saying goodbye, I drove around looking at the pretty churches and homes.  None of the churches were open for me to go inside this Saturday morning.  I also went to The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey for some wine tasting.  Their Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and American Riesling were absolutely delicious.  The Abbey itself was being renovated so I couldn't see much of it, but the grounds and winery are worth a visit.

Around 2pm I began feeling a little hungry (all that walking!) so I went to check out Michael's on Main, a restaurant/art gallery.  If you don't visit any other gallery, DO visit this one.  The exquisite art on show in the upstairs of the restaurant is superb and very classy.  I had a Reuben sandwich with waffle fries which were fantastic. Too much for lunch so I took half home for supper.  If you're a chocolate lover, you have to check out their chocolate shoppe at the back of the restaurant.

My next stop was a short 14-minute drive on CO-115 to the quaint town of Florence.  I spotted the Florence Rose Bed & Breakfast just as I was getting into town.  I checked in and got the full tour of the house.  After unpacking I drove into town for a look around and ended up spending about three hours going in and out of a few antique stores and chatting to all and sundry.  Everyone was so friendly that I didn't get to see much else.  There was a music and art festival going on but I was so late after the antiques, I decided to go straight to the B&B and eat my leftover lunch, have a beer, and write this story.  I did visit the supermarket on the other side of town and took a drive through the area to get the feel for it, but was looking forward to sitting down and relaxing on the patio in the cool evening.

The first antiques store I visited was Legends and Lace Antiques where I chatted with Sarah.  The old clothes in this store made me think of a movie set wardrobe.  There was even an old Wurlitzer playing old tunes.  Sarah also hand makes all the lampshades in the store!  The next stop was an enormous two-storey store stuffed with antiques from yesteryear.  It was called The Mezzanine Antiques and Collectibles.  On offer were any number of fabulously old things, from lace doilies to ladies hats.  It's like a walk down Memory Lane, if you're of a certain age!  My final stop was at Touch of Grace where I chatted with Freita for what seemed like ages.  We laughed and yakked our heads off.  This store had some lovely old quilts, clothes, hats, art work, you name it!  I also met and chatted with Svetlana outside her Raindrops Art Gallery.  Such nice and interesting people!

I really picked the right weekend to visit both Cañon City and Florence as it was First Friday and most places stayed open later than usual, with visitors and locals hanging out and visiting each other.  There was a very festive feeling, and with the music and art festival as well, I couldn't believe my luck.  I will definitely be making a few return trips to these two lovely places as it's "just down the road" from me.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, I decided to extend my car rental until the next day so that I could go and see Bishop Castle.  I had to take a detour because of the washed away road along CO-67.  The drive is spectacularly beautiful through the San Isabel National Forest and Wet Mountains.  It rained as I was driving through this area, making everything even fresher and greener.  The castle itself is huge, and I climbed one of the turrets but was petrified.  I get vertigo, so what possessed me to climb it, I'll never know.  It's rickety, incredible, and dangerous, so hold onto your little kids.  Jim Bishop built his castle by himself over a period of 40 years, and he's still not finished.  Very outspoken about the government and the Constitution, he'll talk your ear off if you let him.  Well worth a visit to see what one man can do if he really wants to.

Cañon City is just an hour from Colorado Springs (two hours from Denver), and if you take CO-115, you'll be taking the scenic route—much more enjoyable than racing along the I-25 to Pueblo and then west on US Hwy-50. The latter route would take longer than 45 minutes.  (Route)  There is so much to see and do in this area, from fishing, wildlife spotting, the dinosaur museum, the prison museum, fossils, Main Streets, the Gold Belt Tour, and of course the Royal Gorge Train.  Do request a guide book from the Florence Chamber of Commerce.  Also get a copy of the Colorado Royal Gorge Region as it's full of interesting ideas, facts, and photos to help you plan your trip to this area.  You can also visit the Cañon City Visitor Center for brochures.  They have a good Walking Tour pamphlet.