A Florence Fourth

Wandering about Florence, Colorado on the 4th of July.

Wandering into Florence for their annual Fourth of July Festival, our entourage sneaked in the backdoor of Two Sisters.  They were closed, but it enabled access to the attached ice cream parlor.  The effort was not to obtain a late breakfast of this frozen treat, but to assess the situation on the streets. The Wet and Dry Parade occurring at just that moment did not appear to have any sort of dry side to it. Indeed, a firetruck passing through blasted water in all directions. Pedestrians retaliated, launching a counter-assault with their full water power.  Both sides eventually acquiesced and teamed up for the biggest shower in town.  Safety from random blasts of water out on the street remained questionable though.

Everyone eventually drifted over a few blocks to Pioneer Park to enjoy food, drinks, and various trinkets. The lines were long for most of the day, encouraging many to abandon the effort and simply enjoy  shade the park provided on the hot day, while youngsters tried their luck at mechanical bull riding.  Some just pondered the meaning of life through massive chainsaw art.

Heading over to Cañon City to observe a sectarian branch of associated art and trinkets, a small crowd mulled about without assuming much interest.  It seemed just as well to drift around town and see what else could be discovered.  After waiting on the train, little else could be uncovered beyond more people milling aimlessly through an adjacent local park.

A few new trails were uncovered.  Fremont County is slowly but surely expanding the trail system within their boundaries.  Most are high desert trails devoid of life taller than 2 meters or coiled and rattling hazards.  They did promise a host of intriguing artifacts from the glory days of localized mining and transportation and were noted for future inquiry.

The Arkansas River raged through the middle of town with a certain ferocity not noted on previous occasions.  Spring melt, coupled with higher levels of precipitation than normal provided some rafters a run for their money. 

An afternoon siesta at base camp seemed in order, in preparation of late night plans.  Walking about later, while most of the troupe continued snoring, multiple ant hills furious with activity proved amusing for a few moments.  Danger lurked nearby for many of these workers though.  Ant Lions had set traps in convenient locations and looked set for a hardy meal.

Later from the 14th Tee, an excellent view of the fireworks happening in neighborhoods from Penrose to Cañon City.  There was some concern about automated sprinkler systems.  While eyes glittered reflecting sparkling skies, all ears were on patrol for the warning sounds of that which would rain on the parade.

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Further Reading

Fourth of July Festival

City of Florence, Colorado

Royal Gorge Route Railroad