Couldn't make it to BC So Went to the Royal Gorge

[cowboyup3371]

I had really hoped to have gone to the Brown County get together this weekend but several things over the past few weeks got in my way so I had to stay home. Although money is very tight, I managed to not spend a lot when in LA two weeks ago and got some back from Uncle Sam. After buying a couple of bike parts to fix some broken stuff, some parts for my oil and spark plug change, and a new pair of pants on clearance, Helena and I decided we would take the kids down to see the Royal Gorge bridge west of Canon City, CO and then I would come home through the mountains and get some twisty riding out of it.

We first decided to go on Saturday but I had yard chores to do and the kids' grandpa wanted to see them so we went Sunday instead. Plus the weather was supposed to be better. It was later in the day but when we started off it was a bit chilly so I ended up running into town and getting a sweatshirt. Fortunately I didn't need it after we got out of town. Now the deal with the kids was they wouldn't know where we were going until we got to the gorge but I did ask the oldest to take pictures of the drive. I hope you like as this was her first time and she did a pretty dang good job of it.

So, here we go. Taking out of my place and getting out to the highway next to our house. Don't let these pictures fool you, that's 100% Grade A sand on the sides of this dirt road with washboards across the entire width and length. I'm just now getting comfortable again at taking them at 35 mph.





After getting onto highway 115 that runs next to the Pikes Peak section of the front range, we started down towards Canon City. It's a four lane highway for about the first 5 miles and then turns into two lanes with passing lanes in certain areas. I fought a real good headwind the entire way down so the twisties weren't as much fun as they could have been but it was still an enjoyable ride.

Passing by Cheyenne Mountain AFB, former headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)



and starting down the highway




Getting stuck in between cars and then finally getting around them. Helena was driving the truck and got stuck behind them for a few miles





And after getting onto US Highway 50 going into Canon City, Charmayne caught these two pictures:





The dinosaur was standing outside of a steakhouse and was a pretty neat sight.

More to come...

[cowboyup3371]

Coming into the Royal Gorge Bridge Area

After filling up with gas in Canon City (got 51mpg finally) and fixing my speedometer cable after it rattled/shook its way out somehow, we started back out on Highway 50 headed west. I had hoped Charmayne would have taken a picture of the Colorado Territorial Prison as it looked really nice from the outside but she didn't. Funny thing here, I passed what I thought was a Harley but turned out later to be a newer Yamaha cruiser at that prison. He and his pillion finally showed up at the bridge (about 15 miles later) AFTER I had already parked, shut off the bike, got out of my clothes and started putting together Paul's wheelchair.

Driving the twisties on US Hwy 50



Coming into the Gorge area





You can take a full sized train through the gorge if you want and the prices seem pretty reasonable



Charmayne got some pretty nice shots from the parking lot of the bridge:



And the tram you can take across it:



And a couple of old bits sitting outside the entrance:





More coming

[cowboyup3371]

At the Royal Gorge Bridge

Thanks to my military ID card we only paid half price (Regular for us would have been $140) for our tickets inside and spent a couple of hours there. Because Helena lost her phone (found it later) we didn't get to do a lot but we did manage to see enough.

When you first walk into the park, you're greeted with clocks that tell you the year, the time the park closes, and the actual time. It also has a working water wheel in it



You can walk or drive across the bridge and being a suspension bridge it sways a lot to the vehicles.



There's also a trolley that will take you across



Looking down at the bottom of the gorge, you can see the train I mentioned earlier:



and the rafters floating down the Arkansas River



And a little about the bridge



After getting Helena's phone the kids wanted to play on the carousel:

Me and Paul



Charmayne, Cheyenne, and Justin

[cowboyup3371]

On the way back

When we left we decided to head back along Colorado Highway 9 where I got stuck behind some traffic and so I decided to head back towards Cripple Creek, an old mining town, along County Road 11 instead. Still gave me some good twisties and I had the privilege of blowing by a Harley driver and his girl with ease

The road:



Saw two herds of deer and almost hit two that darted in front of me of this herd. I'd slowed down when I first saw them so I was able to brake in time.



Saw an old wooden farmhouse



Finally got into Cripple Creek and decided not to stay. But we did get a couple of nice pictures of one of the B&Bs and the casinos:





Finally, on the way home we stopped for a snack and I just had to get this shot of Pikes Peak with the afternoon storm clouds rolling over:



In the end, I did about 250 miles and had a good time. The kids seemed to enjoy the day as well so that helped.

Thank you for looking.

[jbs80106]

Scott...excellent trip report! Well done! 51mpg with the wind on Sunday is very good!

Glad the family enjoyed the Gorge. And with the discount too! I usually get my tix on base for the discount. Nice ride and report! Do need to catch up with you one of these days!

[Steve]

Nice report.

Since you could not come to us, some of us went to you. Funny you didn't see us, though.



Left to right: ddaniels, kparkfan, Steve, Mrs. Steve, FoxyBLankworthy.



.

[cowboyup3371]

Nice report.

Since you could not come to us, some of us went to you. Funny you didn't see us, though.



Left to right: ddaniels, kparkfan, Steve, Mrs. Steve, FoxyBLankworthy.



.

You must have been that set of folks that passed me going the opposite way.

Glad you all had a great weekend.

By the way, what does the rest of that sign say?

[Mrs. Steve]

Steve is busy, so I will answer for him. The sign says Crouch's Market, Pike's Peak, Indiana. the camera was on a rail of a fence and set on timer so Steve could be in the picture, also. This was the only place to set the camera and the tree did block the sign some, but we did go ALL THE WAY to Pike's Peak just for you.

[cowboyup3371]

That was cool thank you.

[7981GS]

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Looks like a great time was had by all.

Daniel

[Charlie G]

Thanks for the tour Cowboy. It's been 40 years since I've been to Colorado. Glad you survived LA LA land.

cg

[pete]

Nice report Scott, and your daughter did great with the photos, wish mine were half as good!

Glad to see you getting out and about for a nice long ride, makin' me very jealous now

[Thumpower]

Scott...excellent trip report! Well done! 51mpg with the wind on Sunday is very good!

Glad the family enjoyed the Gorge. And with the discount too! I usually get my tix on base for the discount. Nice ride and report! Do need to catch up with you one of these days!

I took this trip (only starting from SoCal) years ago on my 850; out of Canon City, went up an gravel road that was an old railroad right of way all the way into Cripple Creek; there was very little there at the time - a real ghost town! Nearby there was another ghost town, but I forget the name of it. From there down a gravel road into Colo Spgs., then up Pikes Peak, back down and on to Kansas. On the way back, visited the Gorge. Feels weird riding across, I promise you! Great trip!