SIMPLE N SIMPLE: 2009

Royal Gorge in Canon City, CO 2

>> Sunday, December 6, 2009

The world's highest skycoaster.

We did not ride this.

Rocky Mountain Elk

American Bison

Cowboys' Town

Crossing the Suspension Bridge

World's steepest incline

"Built in 1931, and traveling at a 45-degree angle, the world's steepest Incline Railway is still considered one of the most difficult structures ever built." form Royal Gorge Site

" Here, timeless granite walls loom all around as you descend over 1,500 feet to the canyon floor, a mere 50 feet at its widest. " from Royal Gorge Site

"Looking up, the Bridge appears as a delicate ribbon cutting across the sky." from Royal Gorge Site

About 6 minutes ride of the Incline Rail took us down to the bottom of the gorge

Back then, prospectors must have been every where.

Another Incline is going up

From the Incline Rail looking down the gorge.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in Canon City, CO 1

>> Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Royal Gorge is located just 2-hours south of Denver and 45-minutes southwest of

Colorado Springs in Cañon City, Colorado.

Royal Gorge Welcome Center in town

At the Parking Lot

Park Entrance

Incredible view of the gorge and the suspension bridge.

"Hanging above Colorado’s wild Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge is one of the world's highest suspension bridges and a legendary feat of engineering renowned the world over. Built in 1929 for $350,000, the cost today would easily exceed $15 million. But for those who venture across it, whether walking or driving, the experience is priceless."~ from Royal Gorge Bridge Site

This is the highest suspension bridge in the world.

It looms over 1000 feet over the Arakansas River.

Awesome sight of the suspension bridge

Aerial tram ride across the gorge

"Gliding more than 1,100 feet above the canyon floor is the world's longest single-span Aerial Tram. The ride offers exceptional 360-degree views of the Gorge, the Bridge, the Park and Colorado’s majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Between the blue skies above and the granite walls below, you'll feel as if you're walking a tightrope across the very Gorge itself. With no net." ~ from Royal Gorge Bridge Site

Looking down the Gorge you can see the river running

Over 1200 foot long wood-planked walkway.

It gives a panoramic view of the canyon.

If you have phobia of the height, this is not for you.

• Walkway: made of 1,270 planks of deck; about 250 are replaced annually ~ Royal Gorge Bridge Site

Vintage Enamelwares

>> Friday, November 6, 2009

Since we have moved into our new house in August, I was loving the use of

cut flowers from our backyard while the summer was still lasting.

I thought the flowers that were growing in the backyard are the kinds

that go well with these vintage enamelwares.

Even after the flowers dried, they still look good in it.

The white coffee pot, the milk jug and turquois pitcher are my favorite.
They are good to use for cut flowers as well as the dried flowers.

Two white enamelwares cost me less than a dollar each,
and about $5.00 for the turquois pitcher.
These are the remnants from my flea-marketing days in Germany.
They have survived many moves since then and had endured much neglect as well.
I love looking at them being used.

Grove City College, Fall Campus 2

>> Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pikes Peak, America's Mountain 3

>> Saturday, October 31, 2009

A shot taken as the train is going down the Pikes Peak

This was taken as we were going up.

Downhill train is waiting to switch the rail with the train that is going up the mountain.

A close-up of the red Swiss Cograil Train.

Finally arrived at the depot at 1:55pm

Crowds leaving the train

Out the station

It's much warmer down here than the at the peak.

Don't need jacket anymore.

Walking toward parking lot

I'm sure all had a good time up at the Peak taking in incredible breatless views all around.

Pikes Peak, America's Mountain 2

>> Thursday, October 29, 2009

At the summit

The summit has very little snow. It was cold but bearable.

I couldn't go near the cliff where people are looking out.

Too scary....

The brave ones go near the edge to look out.

With mild dizziness and weak legs, I did not dare to go near the edge.

The Cograil is empty now.

We were given 40 minutes to stay up at the summit.

Within 40 minutes, we had to go to the restroom, buy food and take pictures.

America the Beautiful

We owe the inspiration for the lyrics of the beloved song, "America the Beautiful " to the stunning vistas from the summit of Pikes Peak. It was the summer of 1893, and Katharine Lee Bates, a professor of English at Wellesley College, was in Colorado Springs to teach a summer session at Colorado College. On July 22, Katharine, along with several others of the visiting faculty, took a trip in a carriage to the summit of Pikes Peak. Horses got them to the halfway point, and, as was customary, a team of mules finished the climb to the 14,115 foot summit. Because altitude sickness affected of one of the party, they only stayed on the summit a half hour, but the brief experience was enough inspire a poem. She wrote.. "An erect, decorous group, we stood at last on that Gate-of-Heaven summit...and gazed in wordless rapture over the far expanse of mountain ranges and sea like sweep of plain. Then and there the opening lines of 'America the Beautiful' sprang into being." ..... "I wrote the entire song on my return that evening to Colorado Springs." ~ from http://www.cograilway.com/