This past Memorial Day Weekend I had the opportunity to check off a bucket list item here in Canon City, Colorado. As someone who battles acrophobia, I now have the bragging rights that I have officially crossed the tallest bridge in America and boarded the teeniest gondola bucket to get back to the other side of Royal Gorge!
Eeeeeeeee
(nervous squeals)
That's right, you heard correctly. The State of Colorado houses THE tallest bridge in America (which used to be the tallest bridge in the world until 2001). I present (drumrollllll...speaking of drumrolls, I will share a little known secret that I cannot roll my tongue and that irritates me to no end + impedes my Spanish speaking abilities):
THE ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE + PARK
So, here's what the Bridge + Park look like when you first enter.
It's SUCH an optical illusion. Trust me as I zoom in more on this engineering feat.
We're finally here! (Bella not pictured)
At the entrance to the park, there are a ton of photo opportunities...
And, they'll try to sell you photos so be ready...
This was as close as I would get to the side without my knees locking up.
A view of the Gorge...
Even with wind stabilizer cables, this bridge moves and there are gaps large enough to see down into the gorge! Just sayin'.
Alright, did I mention that the Park has all these thrill seeking rides??
Such as this one called the "Royal Rush Sky Coaster."
It's basically where they sausage you and two other people together in links and then pull you way up in the sky...and then let go. And, you guys swing out into the gorge screaming your heads off. They let you swing back and forth until the momentum plays out.
Ummm, hard no for me (or at least a few adult beverages for "liquid courage" would be required)
EEEEEEEEEEE!
Speaking of liquid courage...there were a few yummy beverages on tap here...
Adorable Amish father + son...(random, sorry)
This shot is right before they do they count down and drop you!
The Sky Coaster from the Bridge...
Unfortunately, this ride was burned down (more on that below)...
And, it was never reconstructed. But, it looks crazy, no?
This is the fun children's park. There is a carousel and
a HUGE play area with nets and climbing walls.
The park is so nicely landscaped! And, although you should always wear sunscreen, there
were several spots to catch some shade.
Alright, so if you don't wish to cross the bridge by foot, you can opt to
take a gondola to and fro. (They also have a shuttle train that will take you over...a mini passenger train.) But, to me, this gondola ride was more terrifying that walking
the bridge on foot. More on this below.
Here is an aerial I took from a look off of the gondolas. I still can't believe I
boarded one of these sans any liquid courage...not one drop.
Okay, this one is pretty cool. It's called the "Via Ferrata" and it's about $160 for a group.
They take you on a personalized climbing tour as you're clipped into a metal rope and adventure around the Royal Gorge. This tour gives a lot more interaction and a physical aspect.
Here's a YouTube video!
This is the waiting area for the Via Ferrata...really fantastic panoramic views...
I personally felt they needed a bar and some cabanas in this section of the park...
Here was the guide the day we went. Lace up those boots!
Colorado Kimmie goes Into the Wild
Personal note: I need to watch this flick again...
But, what a cool bus!
Here is the ziplining deck!
The zipline was down for maintenance and there were about 15 people hoping and praying it would
open back up! The minimum weight was 150 pounds so no kids.
Bella living her best life. Always smiling and looking to make new friends.
"Hey there, would you like to be my frieeend?"
Me finally feeling relaxed enough to smile. We actually got in a gondola cab with four adults who
had been partaking in the adult beverages. They were a little upset the ziplining was temporarily
shut down for maintenance. So, they started rocking the cab and talking about opening the doors.
My butt cheeks were so tight, you couldn't fit a bb up my anal cavity. (just to give an example of how nervous I was.)
FYI: The reason they shut down the zipline was because the tension cable was making weird noises and needed to be tightened. Again, hard no on this one.
Bella was super relaxed but she could pick up on my acrophobia.
She's like, "you okay Aunt Kimmie? You look awful flushed and terrified!"
There is a theatre that plays a 15 minute film that gives a vast and incredibly interesting
history of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. It started as a sort of nickelodeon with the piano and silent film action.
Someone actually put it the bulk of it on YouTube and it's well worth the watch (especially seeing documented footage of the wildfires that ravaged the area destroying everything and how they rebuilt! Also, I have to admit it's an intriguing history, bio, and geo lesson!)
Bella was so engrossed...
The theatre has a canteen with popcorn, candy and sodas, a giftshop with t-shirts, rocks, and other wares, and some really cool artifacts and museum-like exhibits.
There are lots of food options in the park. This Bridge View BBQ restaurant has a deck that looks out at the bridge.
But there are also places for snacks, coffee and ice cream breaks...
Last year, a woman named Leah Aylward from Loveland, Colorado committed suicide by jumping to her death off the Royal Gorge Bridge. Leah was 40 years old and a graduate (Magna Cum Laude) of Harvard. She was a world traveler and had worked in Australia, Costa Rica, and 21 other countries.
Also, in August of 2020, a man jumped from the bridge. He was unable to be identified.
The Royal Gorge Bridge averages one suicide per year.
Leah Aylward
(November 10, 1980 - December 30, 2020)
A tribute to Leah can be found here:
If you or anyone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. The Colorado Crisis Services Hotline is also available at 1-844-493-8255. Don't wait.
Thanks for stopping in!
I hope I was able to take you to new heights today!
Enjoy your weekend!
Love,
Kimmie
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