Royal Gorge & Garden of the Gods

Royal Gorge - a deep abyss where the Arkansas river flows, with an eerily high bridge above it. That was our destination.

The van loaded up, we drove down the three hours to RG, parked and paid the exhorbitant $22 per person to get in. 

First we went to an overlook and peered down over the fence and got the chills - a fall over that fence would result in a minute or two of very fast tumbling and crushing of bones over the rocky side. 

Looking to the right of us was the bridge and in front and slightly to the left was the swing and the aerial tram.

While there aren't that many things to do there, it's an experience to walk across the planks of the world's highest suspension bridge and peer down through the gaps. When vehicles drive across, you can feel the bridge sway and bounce with their weight.

You stand roughly 1100 feet over the water in the river, so it's a vertigo-inducing sight to lean over the edge of the bridge.

On the other side is a small "Western town" with picture opportunities, and a small 'farm' where you can see some traditional local animals - kept captive for your enjoyment.

We strolled on towards the aerial tram, which also is about 1100 feet above the river. You step in the cable car and go a couple of miles an hour across the gorge to land safely on the other side.

The "skycoaster" is essentially a gigantic swing which has you strapped in a harness and pulled back by a winch and then let go. You swing out over the canyon and back a few times at speeds up to 50mph and then you come in and ...  that's it.

I don't think it took us more than maybe two hours there, and we hit the road again back towards Denver.   Our visitors got to see some widely varying weather with thunder and intense rain, and then sunshine again. The temps varied widely along with it, from uncomfortably hot, to almost cool. 

Well back in Colorado Springs, we took a side-trip to get to Garden of the Gods.  I'd never been there either, so it was interesting to drive in and see the odd rock formations surrounded by lush, green shrubbery (and no knights who say "ni" to be found). 

We found a suitable parking spot and took a short hike up to the nearest rocky outcropping and starting climbing up. In no more than an hour we managed to climb up real high, climb back down, walk around and climb elsewhere, throw rude quips at one-another and take lots of pictures.

We had planned for dinner at Pete's Greek-Town Cafe the night before, but this time we actually made it before closing. Not a particularly good time because the food isn't as fresh it seems, but still very good. Onward home to another well-deserved night of rest.

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