colorado, jun 03 

 

 

Here's our Colorado road-trip showing off more of my favorite places to Rich: Hot Springs Lodge & Pool (Glenwood Springs), Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Montrose), and the Royal Gorge Bridge (Canon City).


After missing the infamous sinkhole on the interstate near Vail, we finally start off our trip in Glenwood Canyon. We're just around the corner from......Glenwood Springs, home of the world's largest natural hot mineral water open-air swimming pool.The pool is fed by 3.5 million gallons of hot, mineral-rich water a day from the Yampah Hot SpringsA short, steep hike to the "Pioneer Cemetery Trailhead" leads to the infamous gunfighter's gravesiteHoliday's gravestone summarizes his ailing health during his final days. After the Gunfight at the OK Corral, he headed west seeking a cure for his advanced tuberculosis.He hoped Glenwood's healing hot springs would provide the relief he was searching for, but the mineral rich waters could not dissipate the ravages of hard drinking and TBHeading back to town for a dip in the pool!
The haunted Hotel Colorado, reminded me too much......of "The Shining" (We stayed at a friendlier hotel next door).Passing the 'Road Cliffs' on the way to the......Colorado National MonumentRim Rock Road will take you through 32 square miles of vertical cliff walls and great natural rock structuresNo CaptionThe erosive forces of water, wind and frost have taken millions of years to carve out these rocks
Differences in sandstone, shale and other sedimentary rocks help determine the formations. This one is called Crapping Monkey Rock.At 450 feet, Independence Monument is the largest freestanding rock formation in the parkOnce eroded away, shapes like the Coke Ovens are formed from the less resistant underlying layersNo CaptionNo CaptionHas anyone seen my wife?!You never know what you'll find in the canyon!
Prickly Pear cactusIndian PaintbrushWhere did everyone go? Sixty miles of very flat highway from Grand Junction to our next destination.The Black Canyon of the GunnisonIn just 48 miles, the Gunnison River drops an average of 96 feet per mile. It drops 480 feet in one 2-mile stretch.Fast, debris-laden water carving rock......make the canyon walls so steep.
No CaptionThe canyon was named 'Black' because it is so......deep, sheer and narrow that very little......sunlight can penetrate it.No CaptionNo CaptionNo Caption
No CaptionThe Warner Point Natural TrailNo CaptionNo CaptionDead trees are used as a perch for raptors, sharpening tools for deer, bobcat and bears... and a swing for Diane!An 800 year-old Pinyon PineThe San Juan Mountain Range in the background
The East Portal Road to the bottom (make sure your lunch is digested before driving this 16% grade road)Finally reached the bottom!No CaptionSunset at the canyonNo CaptionNo CaptionNo Caption
No CaptionNo CaptionA long day of driving ahead! It's 180 miles and one giant pass Monarch Pass (11,312 feet) to get from Montrose to Canon City.A great view of Mt. Tabeguache (14,155 feet) and Mt. Shavano (14,229 feet) from Monarch PassNext stop, the world's highest suspension bridge, The Royal Gorge BridgeAt 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge was completed in only six monthsIn 1929, Lon Piper undertook the construction of the bridge. He designed a bridge 1,260 feet long and 18 feet wide.
The bridge is suspended from two 200-ton cablesEach cable has 2,100 strands of No. 9 galvanized wire in itThe floor of the bridge contains 1,000 tons of steel and almost 1,300 wooden planksOn our very windy day, the bridge moved A LOT (check out the "white knuckle" grip)!Don't look down!!No CaptionAh! Finally on solid ground!