Please scroll down for SIGNS SIGNS entry.
Happy to be home in Oregon in real life, but in blogland remembering and sharing highlights from our recent roadtrip ...
still in Colorado for this post.
The incredible Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge hangs 965 feet above the wild Arkansas River. Built in 1929, for over 70 years, it was the highest suspension bridge in the world. The picture below was taken near the Royal Gorge Park Visitor Center. Rather incredible in itself, this is a City Park belonging to the small community of Cañon City Colorado, where we spent one night on our trip.
The bridge cost $350,000 to build -- today that cost would exceed $20 million dollars. From the Visitor Center there are 360-degree views of the Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The night before we reached Cañon City, we purchased tickets to ride the Royal Gorge Railroad through the canyon.
We boarded the train at the historic Santa Fe Depot. Cars are air-conditioned and comfortable; food and beverages are available.
We had a large picture window at our seat in the dome car, but the most spectacular views and photo ops were from the open observation car. I spent most of the ride out there -- but it was nice to have the air-conditioned space available inside.
Sometimes, as in the pictures in the collage, the train traveled through canyons so narrow that we could have touched the granite cliffs. At other times, we looked up to the top of the 1,000 foot cliffs that towered above the track. Above is a zoomed-in view of the suspension bridge from way down below it.
Most of the time, we could see the wild and winding Arkansas River on one side of the track and steep cliffs on the other.
Here's the end of the train coming around a curve in the tracks -- and a few other photographers capturing the moment as they leaned out over the railing.
The next three pictures, like the top one in this post, were taken the day after our train ride, when we drove up to the (city) Park. There's a good-sized Visitor Center perched on the side of the Gorge, 1,230 feet above the River. Historical photos and information about the area and lots of family activities are available.
A wildfire destroyed 90 percent of the park in 2013 and the Visitor Center was completely rebuilt. The Bridge itself was minimally damaged. I like to walk across bridges and we had heard that you could walk across this one, but we learned at the Visitor Center that it is only open for pedestrians twice a day. We missed the morning time and didn't plan to hang around for the evening hour. (Also we learned that you have to pay an admission fee even to walk the bridge.)
We might have walked the bridge, but here's one of the adventures Cañon City offers that did not tempt me at all. We've taken trams up and down snowy mountains in at least a couple of places, but thinking about swinging above all those sharp granite rocks was more than a little shivery.
We were glad we were able to visit this spectacular natural wonder. Here is one more view of the bridge from down below (on the train ride) .... I like this one because it shows off Colorado's beautiful blue sky, the subtle colors of the incredible granite cliffs, and the amazing man-made wonder of the bridge all in one quick shot from the open train car.
** My one new thing to learn this week was how to make the tilde mark above the 'n'.... but I had to use Bill's Mac to do it. (He's Mac, I'm PC)....and so now you know that Cañon City is pronounced in the Spanish way more like Canyon than canon -- which makes sense and makes me much happier.
Sharing this week with the blogging communities at: OUR WORLD; MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; ALL SEASONS; SIGNS SIGNS; THROUGH MY LENS; and SKYWATCH FRIDAY.
Thank you to all of the hosts.
OMG, I'm dizzy just thinking about going over that gorge. Flatlander here!! It's gorgeous and the bridge is amazing.
Posted by: Florence | July 17, 2017 at 03:52 PM
What a great looking bridge - looks like another place I can add to the wish list.
Cheers - Stewart M - Grindelwald, Switzerland
Posted by: Stewart M | July 16, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Beautiful photos.
But the final line that talks about your newly learnt "skill" makes me smile.
Rainfield61
Posted by: D | July 16, 2017 at 04:14 AM
Looks all so beautiful and interesting !
Posted by: Gattina | July 16, 2017 at 12:25 AM
Sallie, … the voyage itself that matters. This voyage has a little too much vertigo for us. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: hapzydeco | July 15, 2017 at 08:12 AM
As many times as we have vacationed in Colorado, I have never taken the railroad or seen the gorge. My husband saw it when he was living near there as a teenager, but that was eons ago. I think it is ridiculous to charge to walk a bridge, but I guess that is the same as a toll on the freeway.
Colorado is so pretty in the mountains.
Posted by: Terri@Coloring Outside the Lines | July 15, 2017 at 06:38 AM
Amazing bridge and gorge ~ gorgeous photography ~ ^_^
Such beautiful and fascinating country!
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | July 15, 2017 at 06:02 AM
This kind of iconic (and magnificent) scenery seems to really typify the American west. I can only imagine what it must have been like for the first hardy settlers who arrived there and those who traversed the mountain passes on their way to the Pacific. Not for them bridges, railways, air conditioning and super highways. They must have been made of the right stuff!
Posted by: David Gascoigne | July 15, 2017 at 03:13 AM
well, beutiful place and many things to do. Not sure what I would have choosen. Beautiful images.
Posted by: NatureFootstep photography | July 15, 2017 at 01:31 AM
This is really spectacular! Thanks for taking us along, and it's a place I would really like to visit in person. The train ride looks wonderful!
Posted by: Peter B | July 14, 2017 at 09:48 PM
What an amazing bridge and train ride. I know someone in my house who would love that train trip. Great photos Sally.
Posted by: diane | July 14, 2017 at 08:38 PM
wow, what an impressive structure and scarry looking gorge (though I would love to peek from it into the abbys and have a few photos).
Posted by: klara | July 14, 2017 at 01:19 PM
Neat post A few years back Linda and I were on the Durango/Silverton line. Really enjoyed it
Posted by: Joe Todd | July 14, 2017 at 10:41 AM
wow that would have been so cool to ride that train. We visited here but didn't do all the stuff you did.
Posted by: Felicia | July 13, 2017 at 07:21 PM
Wow. Deep breath. Startling view.
Our kids have been taking trains in the UK! I love other people's travel photos!!!
Posted by: JennJilks | July 13, 2017 at 06:11 PM
An amazing sight. I visited years ago and was quite impressed.
Posted by: Yogi | July 13, 2017 at 05:58 PM
That is some incredible bridge...really high, kind of well, scary ;)...I am thinking that we may have seen this once long ago, but my memory in photos is not serving me very well, as they are stuck with thousands on external hard drive. Have a great weekend~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | July 13, 2017 at 01:21 PM
Fantastic post! I would love to take that train ride. Like you, I would pass on the tram. Your photos are really good and so was the info you provided.
Posted by: Patrick Tillett | July 12, 2017 at 09:40 PM
What an amazing experience. I'm feeling dizzy just thinking about it!
Posted by: Lesley | July 12, 2017 at 07:41 PM
What an adventure! I like the sign, too
Posted by: Lea | July 12, 2017 at 05:48 PM
What great adventures. I think I would have kept my feet on the ground, - a few years ago perhaps the bridge might have tempted me.... Wonderful to see these pictures Sallie, - thank you.
Posted by: Hildred Finch | July 12, 2017 at 03:34 PM
...I walked over that bridge years ago, being afraid of heights it was fun.
Posted by: tom the backroads traveller | July 12, 2017 at 02:24 PM
What a fabulous place! And a great train ride!
Posted by: RedPat | July 12, 2017 at 01:54 PM
Hi Sallie! You have seen a lot of interesting places. Thanks for sharing.
You asked if I will go to Australia. this year. Well I hope to go. next year.
Posted by: Wil | July 12, 2017 at 08:34 AM
Sallie, That is an impressive bridge and gorge. I`m not sure I would have like to walk the bridge. Maybe. Thanks for sharing the train ride. Open observation car what a thrill. Have a great week. Sylvia D.
Posted by: Sylvia D. | July 12, 2017 at 07:13 AM
We think alike when it comes to the trams. No thanks!
But your views are incredible from the train. Wow! Usually, the idea of the 'legacy wall' would be from the distant past and it's hard to think it was just a few years ago that the fire destroyed the park.
Posted by: bettyl - NZ | July 12, 2017 at 12:19 AM
Absolutely fantastic views. Although perhaps not for me, for I'm afraid of heights :) Have a lovely day Sallie.
Posted by: riitta k | July 11, 2017 at 09:58 PM
Wow! Looks amazing! Sad about the fire.
Posted by: Linja in Virginia | July 11, 2017 at 06:11 PM
This bridge is so impressive! I still do not get how it was built on the rocks. It looks like it was placed there.
Posted by: Ruth | Tanama Tales | July 11, 2017 at 06:00 PM
That's an amazing bridge. I haven't revisited since the fire, but I remember riding the old tram across the gorge and the incline to the bottom.
Posted by: Al | July 11, 2017 at 04:45 PM
They have gorges and we have mountains, yin yang. Driving on bridges always makes me nervous.
Posted by: Colleen@Looseleaf | July 11, 2017 at 02:04 PM
Y'know I lived in Colorado for nearly 50 years and was at the bridge only ONCE. We walked across only. That was terrifying for me. I have a height issue!!!
Stunning photos Sallie.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | July 11, 2017 at 01:29 PM
Thanks for showing photos from the Canyon as well as the visitor's centre. It gives me a really good idea of how spectacular it is. I don't think I would want to go in those cable cars either!
Posted by: Fun60 | July 11, 2017 at 01:02 PM
Wow! Amazing scenery Sallie. That bridge is an incredible piece of engineering. Great photos!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | July 11, 2017 at 05:01 AM
my first reaction,,,OOOPS! Not sure I would trust that bridge :( Walking, yes, but by car?
But a beautiful place.
Posted by: NatureFootstep photography | July 11, 2017 at 02:27 AM
Amazing place. Great post and photos.
Posted by: rupam { xhobdo } | July 10, 2017 at 09:50 PM
SOOO cool!! Love this place we visited back in 1998, We attempted to walk over the bridge but then a car got on the other end and it began to buck and bounce so we hightailed it off there! I was sad to hear of the fire in 2013, I do recall hearing it was closed. Isn't this park privately owned? The train ride looks awesome!! NO way I could have gotten my Mom on that even back then; she was my travel mate on that journey.
Posted by: Sondra | July 10, 2017 at 09:22 PM
Sallie - I enjoyed so much about this post - the cool feat of engineering (in 1929!), the river along the railway and the train! Your post brought rushing back all the wonderful memories of various train rides with the kids. My Mom and one of my sisters will be taking an overnight (sleeper car) Amtrak train from Chicago to Whitefish in August to visit us. Can't wait! On the flip side, the mention of the 2013 wildfire is a little scary - we need rain in Montana!!!
Thanks for your comment on my blog this week - it meant a lot to me!
Posted by: Angie | July 10, 2017 at 08:01 PM
I love taking historic train rides. That bridge though. I don't know. I actually gulped looking at your photos. I have a scoring system for scary bends and heights when we travel. This bridge looks to be 3 gulps and very sweaty palms.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | July 10, 2017 at 07:10 PM
That is one scary looking bridge to me. Looks like you had a nice adventure while there.
Posted by: ellen b | July 10, 2017 at 04:59 PM
I fantasize about train travel across this great country.
Posted by: Photo Cache | July 10, 2017 at 03:28 PM
What an incredible place to visit, you're a braver woman than I, Sallie! Stunning photos, thanks for taking us along with you on Mosaic Monday this week.
Posted by: Maggie | July 10, 2017 at 02:41 PM
wonderful views of the bridge and the river
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | July 10, 2017 at 12:37 PM
Oh my goodness Sally, who would think to find this in Arkansas:) Breath taking height, and feat to build this bridge! Many thanks for thinking to share this experience with All Seasons! Have a great week!
Posted by: https://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/santa-barbara-and-sorts/ | July 10, 2017 at 12:31 PM
I have to say you wouldn't get me on the bridge, I"m terrified of heights.
Posted by: Amy | July 10, 2017 at 12:14 PM
We've been to Colorado quite a few times, but, never have I been to the Royal Gorge. Your photos are spectacular. I can only imagine building this in 1929! Thank you so much for posting these.
Posted by: Penny | July 10, 2017 at 11:28 AM
What a fascinating train ride to take through the Gorge. Amazing to think of the engineering that went into the construction of the bridge and of the rail line, as well. Great photos!
Posted by: Lorrie | July 10, 2017 at 08:01 AM
Oh Sallie, you got so many magnificent photos from the Royal Gorge Train! I did not know that pedestrians are only allowed to walk across the bridge twice a day--there wasn't any restrictions when I visited last fall and walked across. We did take that gondola ride across--it was quick and a little scary but a very smooth ride. It was hard to take photos on it because of glare on the windows. I think the Arkansas River was running hard this spring so I guess there weren't ant rafters on it as yet? There was a lot of snow in the mountains and lots of run off this year! I'm glad you got to see these marvels in Colorado--there is so much to do and see here!
Posted by: Pat | July 10, 2017 at 07:59 AM
You were just three hours from us! Although, it is three hours over Monarch Pass! :)
Posted by: Linda | July 10, 2017 at 07:32 AM
ooooh sally, what a beautiful land that we live in!! you have captured the best of the world in which we live!! i adore that orange train, what a great capture!!
Posted by: Debbie | July 10, 2017 at 07:02 AM
This is some trip! Beautiful! And trains are my favorite way to travel.
Amalia
xo
Posted by: handmade by amalia | July 10, 2017 at 06:38 AM
It would be so wonderful to travel on that train or go across that bridge. I really like bridges.
Posted by: Ratty | July 10, 2017 at 06:36 AM
Two of my favorite things: Bridges and Trains. What a great adventure! America the beautiful for sure. Happy Monday!
Posted by: Snap | July 10, 2017 at 06:26 AM
Now I managed that too - Cañon. I really envy you that trip Sallie. There is something very special about train rides - well boats, ships and even buses too. Maybe it's the not having to do the driving, routing, concentrating etc but just sit back and enjoy the ride?
Labour must have been incredibly cheap in 1929 to build that bridge for $350,000?
Posted by: Phil Slade | July 10, 2017 at 04:43 AM
I'd love to take this train ride! How spectacular!!!
Posted by: Halcyon | July 10, 2017 at 04:23 AM
Hello, Sallie! What a wonderful tour. I love the views of the bridge, river and the gorge. The train ride sounds like a fun time too. Thanks for sharing your visit. Great photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | July 10, 2017 at 04:20 AM
Gorgeous views, Sallie!
Posted by: Marleen | July 10, 2017 at 02:48 AM
What wonderful photos! The train ride sounds great. Those cable cars look awesome!
Posted by: Lisa | July 10, 2017 at 12:45 AM
Amazing scenery but I do not like heights so I would not have enjoyed that part. YOu are bravesr than I am! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mick | July 09, 2017 at 10:03 PM
Fantastic shots of Royal George. Wonderful coverage.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 09, 2017 at 09:29 PM
That's incredible I wonder how you keep up something like that. I wish I would have seen more when I was in CO., got a little sick of streams and no rivers. I would probably faint if I took a tram like that. Amazing photos and the best of both worlds on the observation deck and inside with AC.
Posted by: Jeanna | July 09, 2017 at 04:43 PM
I love that last photo and that brilliant blue sky. When my boys were young, we traveled out there and went on the train. I have old photos...a photo album actually! Remember those? Love your pics! Hugs from HOT FL! heehee!
Posted by: lavender dreamer | July 09, 2017 at 02:30 PM
Oh my Goodness Sallie, what a fantastic trip you had , and those photos are awsome, they where reminding me of the Grand Canyon trip my Daughter and I did in 2015.
Thanks for reminding me, Gordon.
Posted by: Gordon | July 09, 2017 at 02:16 PM
What gorgeous and spectacular views, Sallie! It looks like an amazing time! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely tour!
Posted by: Linda | July 09, 2017 at 01:42 PM
Fabulous bridge, beautiful all things.
Posted by: Bob | July 09, 2017 at 12:27 PM
Wow! That is some gorge and bridge. I wouldn't want to look down on it.
Posted by: Carol | July 09, 2017 at 12:15 PM
Oh Sally ~ America the Beautiful and you are getting to see it and photograph its true beauty ~ and sharing it with us ~ Love it all! ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog@gmail.com | July 09, 2017 at 11:40 AM