ROYAL GORGE AND ARKANSAS RIVER, COLORADO

Our next to last stop was in Royal Gorge, Colorado where we took a side trip to the Royal Gorge bridge.  It is a "bridge to no where" that you can either walk or drive across. The bridge was built on a bet between two businessmen one of which was a bridge builder. The group decided to walk it, and some of us even looked over the side to the river way below us.  There was a prairie fire last year which devastated the bridge park. Of fifty-two buildings forty-eight were destroyed. We arrived only two weeks after the new visitor center opened and the only other attractions that were open were the bridge and skycoaster over the gorge.

 Ken and I took a two hour train ride through the gorge as well.  The pictures say it all!  A beautiful day, finished off with a beautiful sunset and more entertainment by Ira.

Not to be excluded was the excellent dinner prepared by staff which included Cowboy chili,a Barry specialty, jalapeno cornbread, a great salad and dessert.

ME, SERVING THE CORNBREAD

TERRY DISHING OUT THE SALAD

BARRY DISHES OUT HIS COWBOY CHILE

DAVID IS IT THAT GOOD OF A PHOTO





THE TRAIN APPROACHES BELOW

STOPPED AT THE STATION ON THE HANGING BRIDGE

SUE, IRA AND JOHN MADE IT ACROSS

SOME OF THE GIRLS SKIPPING ACROSS THE BRIDGE WITH WALLY

FOR NOW IT IS THE CLOSEST TO FLORIDA WE CAN GET 

TRACKS OF THE INCLINED RAILWAY, NOT CURRENTLY IN OPERATION

OLD RIO GRANDE STEAMER THAT USE TO TRAVEL TH GORGE

SKYLINE DRIVE

TRIP ON THE ROYAL GORGE ROUTE TOURIST TRAIN

RIDING THE TRAIN ALONG THE ARKANSAS RIVER

STOPPED ON THE ONE OF A KIND SUSPENSION BRIDGE SUPPORTED

 BY THE CANYON WALLS. WAS BUILT DUE TO THE GORGE BEING TOO 

NARROW TO BUILD ROAD BED

REMAINS OF OLD WOODEN WATER PIPE THAT SUPPLIED CANON CITY
WATER UNTIL RECENTLY

THE BRIDGE AND SKY COASTER ABOVE

AN OLD STEAMER

THE CURRENT ENGINE

THIS CAR LOOKS FAMILIAR. IT USED TO BE ON THE ALASKA RAILROAD ON THE ANCHORAGE TO FAIRBANKS PART OF THE RAIL AND CRUISE THAT HOLLAND AMERICA HAS

IRA PLAYS HARD TO GET US AN OUTSTANDING SUNSET

THERE! ISN'T IT GORGEOUS