crunch time

Hey everyone,

If you are planning to go rafting, now is the time to sign up! The rafting company benefits a lot from knowing ahead of time, so give Echo a call and tell them that you want to be on the Anderson-Stiglich wedding raft trip!



Echo can be reached at 1-800-755-3246 or www.raftecho.com

Hope to see you on the river!

River

We have had a lot of snow and rain this past winter and are expecting epic levels of water this year! Not to scare you off from rafting but it will be exciting!

Besides rafting Canon has to offer lots of wildlife, fishing, hiking, and cruising. We have a beautiful riverwalk that goes about 12 miles. A great place to stroll, watch birds, stare at the river and take a picnic.

Who's Hungry?

We've got dinner for you hungry travelers when you get here!

Guess what it is!

CARAVAN!

Last weekend we had a meeting of the minds with Jay's parents and came up with the greatest idea that we get more and more excited about as we think about and plan it.

Traditional weddings used to have the guests line up and toss rice on the newlyweds symbolizing wishes of fertility. Studies have shown that rice is dangerous for the birds. Now there are substitutions of confetti or bubbles. We didn't want to clean up a big mess and Jay thinks bubbles are stupid (sorry for those who had bubbles at their wedding). So we decided that flower petals would be a wonderful substitute. They are biodegradable and they won't hurt birds or the newlyweds... it won't poke our eyes out. So look for a bucket of flower petals on your way out of the chapel.

We would like you to stick around to add this touch of celebration! THEN...

We will lead a caravan to the reception! My school is located 1 block away and the parking is a lot easier than driving in circles on Main Street. We will lead you over to the parking lot and guide you to the Annex. Our families will stick around and take some pictures (we promise not to be long! Really we want to get to the celebrating!).

We will meet you at the reception and get the party started right and quickly!

Couple of Events-Wedding Weekend

Canon city is hosting a couple of events the weekend of June 21-22.

Canon City Metaphysical Fair I don't know much about it, except it looks at a number of holistic remedies. I'm sure Canon's best will be there.

Art on the Arkansas. There isn't a website for this one, but I know they have some booths set up with artist works, maybe some crafts, and various foods. I haven't been yet, but the locals like it.

Canon City Historical Ghost Walk. You begin the tour at the original women's prison now the museum of Colorado Prisons. Learn the colorful past of Canon City, the good and the bad. See the Baptist church where the minister was the Grand Dragon of the KKK of Canon City. Rates: Adults $8; Child 6-12 $5; under 5 Free. Tour begins promptly at 6:15 pm. I have never been but it sounds pretty fun!

Woodpecker Hill Cemetary Crawl. Tour the Woodpecker Hill section of Greenwood Cemetery and hear the tales of the infamous prisoners that lan in wait there. Arrive at the museum promptly at 6 PM. Rates: Adults $8, Children 6-12 $5, Under 5 Free.

FYI

May 18th is the last day to reserve rooms at the discounted price.

There might be some of you still looking to share a room. Jay's friends have already posted in the c-box (chat box on the upper right of the blog). If anyone is interested in sharing the cost of staying at the hotel....chat it up.

We also found out there is a free hot breakfast offered to guests. I'm not sure how good it is but talking to the employee, they were pretty proud of it.


ALSO...

Be sure to make your reservations with Echo Rafting Company to reserve your spot on the rafting trip.

AAA Baseball Games in the Springs

I just found out that our triple A baseball team is playing Fresno's triple A baseball team our wedding weekend!

The battle begins Saturday, June 21 and goes through June 24! The field is great, for directions and prices for tickets visit the website!

Sky Sox are also playing at home earlier that week. They play Salt Lake City Bees June 17-20.

Bishop's Castle

About an hour and twenty minutes away tucked back from the freeway, one can go and view the phenomenon known as Bishop's castle.  Jim Bishop a man with a passion for swearing, yelling, and ranting, also is building a castle.  

You can climb around and explore his work.  Last time we were there he was working on his moat.  Who knows how far he's progressed on that.  

Be sure to check out his hand made signs, rants and be careful with what you say you might trigger the beast, not the dragon he made...but Jim.

It is a site to behold!

Skyline Drive

A few miles west of Canon City is the entrance to Skyline Drive, off Highway 50. It is a one-way, paved road that runs about 3 miles along an extremely narrow 800 foot high ridge and winds along following the crest of the Dakota hogback. In many locations the ridge is only as wide as the road, with sheer drops on both sides. Skyline is open to drive, but you must drive slowly and carefully.

Down the way Dinosaur tracks were found. You can drive a little past it to park and get out and take a look at them.

There is Canon! It is a fun drive! I reccommend taking it. Did I mention the inmates built it?!?

The Royal Gorge

A place to go see while you are out here is the Royal Gorge. It is remarkable! There are a couple of ways to go see it.

First is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. They have a suspension bridge that you can walk even drive across it, a gondola that you can go across it, a vertical train that will take you down to the river, a pioneer town, a swing that will swing you out to the gorge, and probably many more attractions to appeal to everyone. The cost is around $23 (at least it was that last summer). They have some deals, check out the website for more information.

On the way to the bridge and park, there is a lookout point. Drive to the park, go around the parking lot and the parking for the lookout is on the right. You have a little walk down but the view is breathtaking!

Another way is take the Royal Gorge Train. They have various train rides offered; such as dinner rides, and tourist rides, ride and raft, and many more. Check the link to see all that is offered and what deals they give as well. The train will take you through the Gorge and look at everything...up. The experience is amazing!

And finally rafting! We will be rafting a calmer stretch upstream on Thursday, but for those of you who are die hard rafters, the Gorge is an experience. Echo, the same company we are going on our trip, offers full day rafting that includes the trip we are going on and the Gorge. Check out their website on information for both the full day and half day.