June 23, 2015, The Rest of the Day--pictures

Here are some pictures from yesterday!

 Scenic view of Pikes Peak

 Massive boulders.

 Herd of wild burros in city of Cripple Creek.

Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine. 

The Hickey Clan plus--Evelyn and Gary; Jeff and Marcella; Myrna and Dick; Doug and Mildred; Gayla and Glen

 This tire cost $24,000 when new; it is 12 feet tall.  Gayla and Glen.

 Abandoned gold mine in the city of Victor, CO.

 This lady was making brooms in the general merchandise store in Victor.  Examples are on the wall.

These two buildings were built in 1899.

We retraced our drive so just west of the city of Canon City, where the famous Royal Gorge Bridge crossed the mighty Arkansas River.  The Royal Gorge Bridge is owned by the city of "Canon City".  It doesn't belong to the National Park System or state park system.  An engineer in 1906 built the bridge purely for tourists to come and see.  At one time cars were allowed to drive across.  I think when our family drove to California in 1963 we drove across it (highway 50).

Two years ago in June 2913 a forest fired destroyed by five of the buildings on the bridge site; however only one board had to be replaced on the bridge.  It was safe from the fire.

In the two years since the fire many attractions have been added to the bridge site.  There is a gondola across the river; a zipline crosses the river; there is a new visitor's center;  There are plans to add an amusement park to the site in a few years.  It is a tourist attraction.  We are glad to have seen the bridge; however none of us chose to pay the $17-24 to be able to get on the bridge.  

 This is the Arkansas River beneath the Royal Gorge River with the Royal Gorge train traveling alongside the river.  

 The Royal Gorge Bridge.  It is 2200 feet across and 1200 feet above the river.

The Royal Gorge Bridge.