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| The Royal Gorge suspension bridge from the bottom of the gorge |
After leaving Seven Falls and Helen Hunt Falls (see
THIS post), George and I drove to check out the ROYAL GORGE. I encourage you to check out this site (click
HERE) for some interesting information about Royal Gorge!!!! This is one very NEAT place!!! Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.
Before getting to the gorge we stopped and took a ride on a little TRAIN.... Isn't it cute????? (Just my style!!!)..
This little train (30 minute ride) took us to the west end of the canyon ---where we got our first glimpses of the Royal Gorge and Bridge. Can you believe the people who built that bridge? Don't think I'd want to be on that crew!!! You????? The suspension bridge was built in 1929 for only $350,000. Wonder what it would cost today?????
The bridge is 956 feet high and a quarter of a mile long...
The little train stopped at an overlook for us to see the canyon and take pictures... Here is a picture of the canyon floor... I took it with my long lens. You can see the train tracks running through the canyon... AND--for your information, we were down on the canyon floor not long after taking this picture!!!!
Since we got to the park late in the afternoon, we didn't have to pay that much to get in... AND--we saw the two things we went to see, the Incline Railway and the Aerial Tramway... SO--everything turned out great for us that day!
First, we took the little caged railway down into the canyon. The Incline Railway was built in 1930/31 and is one of the world's STEEPEST railways. It was amazing going down in that canyon almost 1000 feet.
Here is a view of the canyon as we descended to the bottom.
Once we got to the bottom, we enjoyed seeing the Arkansas River, up close and personal. We saw some kayakers in that river --when we were at the overlook while riding the little train.
AND---we got lucky since a 'real' train (one MUCH larger than the one we rode--ha ha) came through the gorge while we were down at the bottom... Can you imagine hearing the train whistle down in that gorge???? NOTE to BETSY: Add this train to your list of things you want to do sometime!!!! I'd love to take that train ride through the gorge. Wouldn't you???
NOW---look at this!!!!!! We rode across the gorge on that little TRAM (see it in the picture above???) after getting back up to the top of the canyon. That is the AERIAL TRAM. It was built in 1978 and is 2200 feet across and 1178 feet above the Arkansas River!
Now we are on the Aerial Tram ---and I took this picture of the Royal Gorge Bridge from the tram. Amazing, isn't it????
Finally, here is one more photo from our experience at the Royal Gorge. This picture was taken from the tram and shows the bottom of the canyon from WAY up there... I am looking west --and you can get a good picture of the Arkansas River from up there...
Hope you enjoyed seeing our photos from the Royal Gorge. Like most everywhere else we go, we highly recommend this area if you are ever in Colorado. SO---after a long and busy day (Air Force Academy Chapel, Seven Falls, Helen Hunt Falls, and the Royal Gorge), we hobbled back to the motel for a good night's sleep!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
58 comments:
Omgh...looking at this post makes my hands and feet sweat. Am sort of afraid of heights.
Was not like this when I was younger but as I grew older, the fear of heights sets in
I have walked across that bridge and you could see between the slats or however it was built wayyyyy down there and my stomach knew it. I don't think I could have done the tram. I think the year the was around 1970. I don't remember the tram being there then nor being able to go down to the bottom. But I was a very young person then with two babies.
Oh...you were very brave. Several times when we were up in the area, I wouldn't even set foot on the bridge!!! Well, actually I did one time, about 4 or 5 steps and looked down...nope nope nope...not gonna do it again. LOL
Beautiful scenery Betsy. Just glad it was YOU and not me. :o)
Gorgeous photos, you and George are brave souls to ride the tram...I don't mind heights, but don't like to dangle in the thin air!! Seriously, y'all are making me so jealous- you know I love, love, LOVE the mountains!
Fantastic photography!
Butt......
-giggles-
My hair was standing on end, looking at this post. Why? Because heights make my stomach come up in my throat!
Wowwwwwwwwwwwww... You went on those rides! I tell ya' I never could! I'm such a wimp, as to heights. :-)))))))
**********************
Already signed up. :-)
"Auntie"
-chuckle- And I see that I am not the ONLY one, who could not fully enjoy this trip of yours! I see other wimps here. -grin-
Oh well, we also serve, who only enjoy the photos, of hardier folk. :-) (A variation on that famous old line.)
"Auntie"
Betsy, I enjoy 'looking' at this post, but I'm not a brave as you! I could not have crossed in that aerial tram! I probably could not have driven across that bridge, either! I am afraid of heights! Exciting pictures, though!!!
Gorgeous pics! My boys would love those trains!
Oh my goodness, Betsy! These are amazing photos. I'm with Dorothy in the comments above, though. Those high open places make me feel a little dizzy. I like my feet firmly planted on the ground. haha! Sounds like you had a great time!
That's a gorge, alright. Makes you feel so small, doesn't it.
Great shots and views Betsy, as for religion and Politics - we all have our own views on these and I respect both sides or all sides if the case applies. All I will say is, that who ever gets in - its the working folk who have to payroll.
Good luck with your New Blog.
Betsy, what amazing views you had from the top of the gorge to the bottom. The rides down and the tram across the gorge look like fun. I would love to see this place someday. Your photos are awesome. Have a great day!
Looks like an amazing trip!
I have never heard of that gorge and I've been to Colorado several times. We will have to visit it one day. Thanks for sharing all the info and lovely photos.
i love these photos andd got a big laugh at myself because when the post opened i read Royal George and thought What? then after reading again, i go the big laugh. the photos are superb. the only way i would get down in that gorge is on the train in the bottom as i would not get on that caged thing. OR ride that tram YIKES..scared me just looking and reading about it.
i forgot to say, i don't discuss politics on line, or in person, the country is evenly divided almost exactly and all discussion does is make for angry people. i have threatened my husband with his life if he says one more political thing to me.
Those are some fabulous pictures. I would really enjoy riding that tram. My hubby and I rode The Incline Railway in Chattanooga, TN. What a thrill that was. You and George are always in my prayers.
What stunning pictures. I would love to ride the trains and the tram, but I might be just a wee bit nervous.
Betsy, thanks for sharing that trip thru the gorge. I've never seen it and it looks like I would LOVE to go visit. You guys packed a lot in that one day for sure!
We looked down into the Royal Gorge once, many years ago. We didn't have time that day to do any real exploring and didn't want to pay the fee anyway. But, just standing on the edge and looking down is enough to make a person weak in the knees. Thanks for this up close and personal look. And we still didn't have to pay the fee. It's a good day. :)
I visited this gorge once, and still get dizzy headed just looking at your pictures. Your post shots are so good, makes you feel you are actually there. I have my opinion on things, but try to avoid religion and politics. My theory is if you cannot change something, let it go and time will take care of it. Good or bad. Far some reason, feel the good Lord stepped in with Sandy. He is still in control o f all things
Betsy, These are amazing photos. I wish I could have been in that tram seeing all those wonders from God. That part of our country is so beautiful.
My prayers are with you and our country.
I love the photos of the Royal Gorge that you were able to capture from so many different places in the canyon. Each shows a different perspective.
I've gone through that canyon on the train more times than I can count. Since my father was a railroader, we had passes to ride the train. After we moved to Leadville, Colorado from Pueblo, Colorado, I rode the train back and forth through this canyon many times when I went to friends and family for the weekend. I love this place. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I love that you are starting a forum/blog to discuss the political landscape. I think this is a great idea. I see myself as a moderate when it comes to politics. I guess I lean to the liberal side on some issues and the conservative on others. I hope others don't see me as sitting on the fence. LOL Perhaps I am sitting in the middle of the road, but I also know that our country needs much prayer. We all must continue to pray diligently. Love you and your passion.
Loved joining you on your trip to the Royal Gorge. It looked spectacular. I would love to travel on that little train one day. Must remember to add it to my list.
What an amazing bridge over this impressive gorge, Betsy. I've never been there. Another great train ride is the narrow gage train from Silverton to Durango, CO. If you go back to Colorado, you should put that on your list.
You saw much more of the Royal Gorge than we did. The day we were there many years ago it was very, very windy! I didn't care to stick around once we saw the gorge. Very impressive place. The train ride does look like fun. Don't know if my chicken heart would want to ride that tram, tho. ha!
Fabulous post! Because so many of us get queasy just looking at these photos, I'm glad you were brave enough to take some shots for us!
Enjoy your political discussion blog - I'm just not savvy enough about politics to enter in - your country's or even mine - political controversies!
Uhmmmm, Betsy, these are gorgeous images, however it's awfully high and I'm not sure I'd ever be able to do it! Yikes!
Not far from us...2 hours...a another stunner of a delightful canyon...Welcome to Colorado!!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
What an amazing trip, Betsy!
All I can say is that you are avery brave lady. You couldn't get me onto that tram for any money.I feel the butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.You have amazing pictures,so now I can enjoy them from the comfort of my easy chair.LOL
I do understand now,why Mother begged Dad not to go to the Royal Gorge when we were in the area.
Hi Betsy, What a thrilling sight to see that canyon. I have never been to Colorado except for being in the Denver International Airport a few times. Your pictures are really excellent. So happy for you to have visited that beautiful place. Have a great day and button-up!
wow, what an amazing place. Love that little train you rode on. I certainly wouldn't want to have been on the crew that built that bridge and I'm sure that the cost to build it today would be extremely outrageous..lol
The journey you and George took seem like a dream come true! To experience that with all ones senses must have been more than breath taking. And you fascination that people took time and money to make it possible to navigate there is interesting too.
I am very fond of what your post portrays but I'm a bit surprised that you have found it necessary to form a conservative closed blog. Doesn't that contradict the whole concept of open discussion and debate to see where things may be changed?
Ah but there are always some meeting that one must have privately . I get that too.
I discovered after the election that Romney received huge funding from that organization known as Cross Roads. What annoyed me is that Cross Roads gets funding from people donating to them for missionary work from around the world. Using that for a Presidential campaign is just wrong. But their web site states they are trying to campaign for change. They just don't say how. I wonder if many Canadians who gave them funds are aware that they gave to a Romney mission!
This election appeared to be far more than conservatives verses liberal in the political sense.
I feel really sad that so much bad is out there.
Good luck with your new venture. Here's hoping it can bring you to a better place.
Great shots Betsy. I was there about 30 years ago and it seems to have developed alot since then. I'm not sure there was even a fee unless you rode the incline to the bottom. We were lucky enough to see a train come through as well.
I think I'm gonna be sick, would be my response to the gorge and the tram and the bridge, but maybe, just maybe, I'd take the train, the big one. You have sure seen tons of gorgeous sites but this one literally made my stomach flip.
My prayers are stronger than ever for our country. There is nothing we can do to change the past and the 'what ifs' are questionable. Like I said, my prayers are strong. Thank God, we know he is King of our Salvation. I just know he will always be there for us.
Blessings
What an adventure and magnificent place. At least i have seen this place in pictures coz i dont think i will have the chance to see that in person.
Will be praying for you out there:.
Seems the trip was wonderful...
Wow - those are some amazing and terrifying pictures. What fabulous scenery!
Being out there on that tram would be like flying! I'd be nervous but I can only imagine the views.
The photo of going down into the canyon is awesome. You were so in the right place at the right time to see the train.
Such beauty you've shown Betsy! Thanks for sharing the trip with us.
Thank you for sharing such amazing places that I would never be able to visit.
I do love America. Be assured that
we (over here) pray individually and corporately for its citizens and for wise leadership and governance.
Sure is an amazing gorge. Your photos are gorgeous and I would have had my heart in my mouth in that cable car/tram.
I have to tell you that suspension bridge scared me to death Betsy. How in the world did they make it - is it still used - and how do they know when it has to be repaired? I love the green color of the river. And the scenery and photos were awesome.
sandie
Lovely views Betsy, but I can honestly say I am feeling some heart palpitations right now from the thought of being SO high!! We went on one of those trams in Palm Springs in 1991, and it still scares the pooh out of me!
XO
This is just incredible. I have heard of Royal Gorge, but never have seen pictures of it. Amazing. Truly majestic. I appreciate the tour, since I'm afraid this is one place I'll never get to see, as my husband is very afraid of heights.
Beautiful collection of photos, Betsy. You continually show me amazing places that I have never been to.
Hugs
I really love coming along with you on your scenic adventures, Betsy! Thanks for yet another wonderful one.
And I pray to God that Congress and the President will find ways to work together this time around for the good of all. I'm not distressed by the outcome of the election but am by the divisions in this country. I hope there will be a coming together for the common good -- which would answer so many of our prayers.
I'm adding this to the places I will visit when I move to Colorado, Betsy! I look forward to seeing mnay more beautiful places like this there.
Wow Betsy, all those shots are amazing. Can you even imagine the tools used back in the twenties to build a bridge like that. I don't know if I could cross on that tram. Pretty scary. Again amazing shots. MB
Wow, great photos Betsy and I agree, you're very brave :)
That bridge is so scary for the ones who built it...wow...beautiful photos though
You got some great photos of the highs and lows here. That train would be fun to ride for sure. I like your little church header....reminds me of the church my parents went to in Ohio. I love small country churches.
You mention having trouble with your Downy woodpecker pecking on your newly painted house and I got to thinking that he probably likes the pretty green color :)
That is one awesome trip!!! I love how gorgeous the views are. Now if you can imagine this, I have to say that heights scare me to death and looking at those shots are not only incredibly awesome but very scary as well. I'll enjoy them from your pics:)
I'd love to take a walk across that bridge. Scary but fun!! : )
I always wonder who had the nerve to build some of the bridges...they just amaze me. Every time I see them or even think about them.
That gorge looks amazing Betsy, and yes I would have been hobbling back too.
Best Wishes
Karen.
Wow everything is so amazing. How did they build the bridge? I can't even begin to imagine. And the train passing through, must be quite a ride for the passengers, and a way to see the beautiful country and quite an experience for you to hear the echo of machine and nature.
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