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Day 6
Act
6:
And now for something completely
different.
The scene was set for Royal Gorge
Bridge and Park, but due to the forest fires an impromptu decision was made to
deviate from the aforementioned plan and head to nearby Manitou Springs for s-h-o-p-p-i-n-g,
shopping! Everybody with the exception
of the adult males was thrilled. This
nearby, eclectic, town boasted an old western main street feel outfitted with a
variety of shops and eating establishments enjoyed by all.
It just so happened that the first
encounter with Manitou Springs once we disembarked from the buses was the
town’s Zombie crawl. This is a serious
event in Manitou Springs. 3 to 4 blocks
of Zombies were seen walking in a single file line down the main street. Cathy D relayed that from a distance she
thought that these people really had scars and blood only to realize, upon
closer inspection, that it was stage make-up. What made it so realistic was
that they were moaning, groaning, howling and growling. Some were dragging their legs; some with arms
outstretched. And some of the younger boys were actually dragging themselves up
the street and hissing at the onlookers.
Bizarre and weird are the words most commonly used to describe the
scene.
The beautiful June day was perfect
for a wedding. Perfect, in fact, for two
weddings. The stone Episcopal Church in
the middle of Manitou Springs was the ideal setting. The morning wedding consisted of a bridal
party in cowboy boots carrying Sunflower bouquets while the groomsmen donned
Cowboy hats and string ties. The bride
(also carrying Sunflowers) and groom for the afternoon wedding were seen riding
up and down the main street in an antique fire truck, siren and all.
Turning attention to the important
theme of this scene it is worth noting that the purchase of the day goes to TJ
Murray. TJ found a Native American poncho.
Everyone seemed to get a kick out of TJ’s enthusiasm over his purchase. Other purchases of interests were, of course,
lots of local jewelry. Huckleberry and Prickly Pear Cactus tea were also
popular. Cody Swigart sported a new hunting t-shirt that entertained the group
as well.
Shortly before heading to the buses
it seemed everyone had the same great idea, ice cream. Unrehearsed and without direction, the majority
of the group congregated in front of one ice cream shop. All shapes, sizes and flavors of ice cream
were enjoyed this fine afternoon.
As the shopping trip draws to an
end, the happy shoppers head to the buses showing off their purchases along the
way.
Interlude
two:
What do you get when you put a bus
load of hungry kids in a Golden Corral equipped with an ice cream bar complete
with chocolate fountain? You get two
buses loads of kids on a sugar rush that lasts for hours. “Walt was heard over the Silver bus
microphone, as we approached the 1St United Methodist Church in Colorado
Springs, that we were all representing Damascus United Methodist Church and
that everyone needed to calm down and act accordingly.
This Act ends with the arrival of the buses at the 1st
United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs.
Soon everyone is paired up with their host and head out to another
chapter in this Colorado adventure
Click here to view photos from Day 6
