Just ran across this picture of the Royal Gorge bridge, near Canon, CO, taken from an unusual angle. It reminded me of a trip we took there back in the 1950's when I was a kid. Have any of you been there?
When we lived in Parker, Colorado, we knew it was there, but absolutely NO WAY were we going to go on it.
Too high. Heck, we've been to St. Petersburg, Florida, but never went over the Sky Bridge. We got off of the street that led to it, visited the pier and then got on a causeway highway that took us over part of Tampa Bay and back to the 4 freeway heading to Orlando. When we lived in Colorado, we took Trail Ridge Road, in Rocky Mountain National Park, all the way up to the Summit at 12,183 feet. The highest drivable road in Continental U.S.. No guard rails at "tree top" and my wife cried twice going up, but wanted to keep going, so we did. One time my wife, while we were in Las Vegas, took me up to the 30 floor of a hotel/casino. I took one look out, began getting "teary eyed" aka SCARED and told her "get me back down......please".
I'm a little afraid of heights, too, Cody. Too young to know any better back then, but remember riding up Pike's Peak after you passed the timberline. That was scary enough. I had to look up the Sky Bridge, St. Petersburg. It's pretty impressive.
Yea, actually some years ago, a Yugo, due to high winds at the top of the bridge, was blown off of the bridge and landed on top of a freighter that had gone under the bridge. Don't remember the rest of the story, but it did happen. We have a tall bridge here, the Dames Point Bridge, that we've only crossed a few times since moving here in 2009. It's tall enough for freighters and a cruise ship to go under.
I've been on that bridge. Walked out on it, then drove across. It will get your attention or it did mine.
Oh yes! I remember looking down through the cracks between the the wooden planks. Things like that interest you when you are a kid. Maybe it's because you are short and closer to the ground. Ha! I just read that the bridge has 1292 wooden planks, and about 250 are replaced annually. Apparently there was a fire in 2013, and the ends of a lot of planks had to be replaced.
@Nancy Hart Quite a few times, as it happened that I lived with my Mother in Canon City, Colorado! The first "n" is supposed to have a squiggle above it, making pronunciation as "Canyon". The last time I visited the bridge, vehicular traffic across the bridge had been curtailed. Foot traffic only, and gosh, what a view! The Arkansas River flows along the bottom of the chasm, with a railroad track originally built by the Santa Fe R.R. Very rich history there, a "war" having been fought in court over which RR would wind up in charge. We saw a freight train go by from up above on the bridge. Canon City lies to the east some miles, and is home to a very large State Penitentiary, whose presence contributes heavily to the local economy. We moved there from Las Vegas, my having just obtained both a divorce and Degree in Engineering, to take the position of Plant Engineer with Flintkote Company in Florence, about 10 miles east of Canon City. The plant manufactured Gypsum Wallboard, the mineral used being shipped by rail over the line running through the Royal Gorge. This was in 1977. Bridge is visible below. Frank
Thanks for the information @Frank Sanoica A picture of Teddy Roosevelt at the bottom of the canyon at Hanging Bridge. The railroad bridge extends out over the river. ( circa 1907)
@Nancy Hart I note that the President is standing amidst 3 rails, which were to allow standard-gauge 4'-8 &1/2" rail traffic, as well as the narrower gauge used by only the Rio Grande (in that area). Frank
My significant other is deathly terrified of heights. Much to my surprise, I got him to walk over the Royal Gorge Bridge, but wasn't having any luck getting him to come BACK across. I pointed out that he HAD to come back across because I sure as heck wasn't driving who knows how many miles around to get to the other side of the bridge (since they wouldn't let me drive across and get him). Finally he agreed to ride the shuttle back across but I thought I was going to have to put a bag over his head - LOL.
Welcome to the forum @Mary Robi. There are at least two other ways to get across now---zip line and gondola cars.
@Mary Robi You have delved back in time perusing our ancient history here, a fact rarely encountered with new members, I think. I, for one, welcome that! Please, if you are of a mind to, tell us more of the circumstances which led to your going to visit "The Gorge"! And, "Welcome", again! Frank
Well, we were spending some time in Colorado Springs and making some day trips. The Gorge was one trip, the trip on the railroad up to Pike's Peak of course was another. We spent the day in Cripple Creek, doing the train ride and going down in the Molly Kathleen mine. We went to a couple of ghost towns and, of course, strolled around Garden of the Gods.