Canon City, CO: Royal Gorge Railroad

Today's activity was a train ride through Colorado's Royal Gorge which at one time was referred to as Colorado's Grand Canyon. The steep walled , narrow gorge is over 1000 feet deep and in many places is only wide enough for a single railway and the Arkasas River. Needed to transport western Colorado's bountiful silver and lead ore, the railway was finally built in 1880 after an extended legal battle between two railroads, dubbed the "Royal Gorge War".

The railway runs through a canyon so narrow that in one spot the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad had to construct a railroad bridge that hangs from a framework attached to both canyon walls. Suspended over the Arkansas River, it is maybe 40 feet wide at that point with steep canyon walls literally going straight up for a 1000 feet.

We had tickets for a Vista Car, which is basically a railroad car covered by a glass dome. Incredible views although the camera had a few issues with glare/reflections on the glass.

Not to fear, they have observation car that are completely open except for a guardrail about chest high. You can stand outside and get a true picture of just how beautiful and majestic this canyon really is. It twists and turns, following along the river.

We passed a number of rafts filled with people running the rapids and a few Kayaks. Turns out one form of entertainment for the rafters is to 'moon' the train passengers -- probably had half a dozen people moon us. Too funny --well, I thought so, MLA didn't really get into the spirit of the whole thing...

The is a bridge built over the canyon called appropriately enough "The Royal Gorge Bridge". Supposedly it is the worlds highest suspension bridges. If it's not the highest, it has to be close to the highest. If you look closely at the picture of the bridge you can just make out the people walking across the bridge.

Next to the bridge is one of those "Bungee Swings". Not a Bungee Jump but rather a structure that allows 2-3 people at a time to swing down and over the gorge. Must be pretty exhilarating/terrifying depending on your pleasure/pain tolerance level. Didn't appear to be a shortage of thrill seekers lining up to be scared senseless.

We saw a few people shoot down and out, over the canyon wall, rushing up to the highest point before hanging for just a second, only to drop down and back to the platform. Looks like you swing back and forth 3-4 times before they 'reel' you back in. They probably have to hose off the harness and then the next group gets to 'go for a ride'. Kinda looks like a superman amusement ride with a bottomless canyon twist.

MLA wants nothing to do with walking across the bridge OR with the superman swing so tomorrow we take a rafting trip on the Arkansas River which, I think, takes us through the canyon. With the temperatures hovering around 100 we figured it would be a good time to get closer to the water and get wet.

I can't wait to 'moon' my first train....

See Ya!