HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE

The 90th anniversary of the building of the Royal Gorge Bridge is being celebrated this year with several celebratory events planned.  We feel blessed to live in Canon City, Colorado and have this spectacular engineering marvel in our city's backyard.  Thanks to our city fathers, the bridge was built in 1929; and is owned by the city.  The profits produced from the bridge are returned to the city, which enables us to enjoy low property taxes.  More history about the Royal Gorge Bridge may be found at https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2013/05/09/the-history-of-the-royal-gorge-bridge/

The bridge also supplies employment opportunities for our citizens.  Over the years, I'm sure thouands of our high school and college aged youths have "worked the gorge" during the summer seasons.

One of the 90th anniversary activities was to submit names to be engraved on the planks of the deck of the bridge.  Our son, Mike, was home for a couple of days this week before he starts another year teaching school.  So, we decided a trip to the bridge was in order to see if we could find our names.

We found my name and our grandson Wyatt's name, but were unable to find Mike's and Bob's names on this trip.  We will have to go back this fall when it is not as crowded in search of more names.

The bridge and park suffered a devastating wild fire in 2013, which destroyed much of the park including 48 buildings and attractions.  Amazingly, the bridge itself was spared. 

 The day of the 2013 fire during evacuation.

The  buildings and attractions have been almost completely rebuilt.  All, but our favorite which was the incline that took you to the bottom of the gorge at the river level, 950+  feet below the deck of the bridge.  We wonder if it will ever be rebuilt because of cost and logistics.

The incline railway before the fire.  Google Images

 Mike worked five summer seasons during his college years.  He started in maintenance and then worked his last years on the incline with never a dull day and loving it all.  His favorite story is about the day that the 1933 era main drive wheel cracked on the incline. The cars were stopped in the middle of the incline, and necessitated a rescue of each person on board to be accompanied by an employee of the gorge either up to the top or down to the river below on foot. He was one tired guy when he got home late that night; but was relieved that the rescue went well. It was an exciting experience for a teenager on a summer job.  Employment at the gorge helped pay a lot of college bills. His last season there was after receiving his PhD. and before starting his teaching job.
Our association with the bridge goes back to opening day in 1929 as my mother as a l0-year old accompanied by her grandparents visited that day.  Walking on the bridge terrified her so that we were never able to convince her to go back.  I signed a plank for the bridge deck with her name, so she is finally back on the bridge even in name only!!

While Bob was the City Engineer we were fortunate to have a free pass to the gorge for our family and our guests.  Over the years we took many car loads of out-of-town visitors and teenage friends up to introduce them to the bridge.  It usually included a picnic in the adjoining park.

Here are pictures from our visit this week including the traditional picnic in the park.

Mike, Bob, and Wyatt with their mathematical minds checking out the workings of the new gondola.

Bob and Wyatt riding the gondola across the gorge.

 The view from the gondola of the bridge, the gorge, and the river below.

Lunch, at last!

There is still evidence of the 2013 fire in the park. The landscape in the park is so fascinating; so I took the opportunity to photograph a quilt to use in an upcoming program.

And because it is throwback Thursday, here is a picture of Wyatt's first trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge petting zoo at age two.

COLORADO ON FIRE AGAIN

Yes, Colorado is on fire again.  The largest of the fires is in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs.  This devastating fire has claimed nearly 500 homes and two deaths in the past week to become the state's worst wildfire ever.  It is now 55% contained, and most mandatory evacuations have been lifted.

A devastating wildfire also hit close to home this past week -- The Royal Gorge Fire.  We live in Canon City which is on the eastern edge of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.  

The Bridge spans the gorge at 1000 feet above the Arkansas River - a sight to behold! Since 1929, the park had been expanded to include other attractions; and is owned by the City of Canon City.  

The Bridge on opening day in November 1929.
Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

The Bridge on a normal beautiful Colorado day.
Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

 This past Tuesday, June 11; a wildfire erupted from an unknown cause (at this time).  The picture below shows the front gate as guests and employees were all being safely evacuated.  

Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk

The below picture shows the front gate shortly thereafter.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

Picture from www.royalgorgebridge.com

The carousel was always a popular attraction for the kids.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

At this time, it appears the bridge itself has sustained minimum damage.  Engineers will be brought in to survey and ensure that it is safe.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors to the north who have lost everything.  Here in Canon City no homes or lives were lost; but as a community our heart is temporarily broken.  The Bridge and Park is an icon for us, and the source of considerable tax revenue.  The Bridge employs 200 people during the summer season including the 40 full-time/year-around employees.  The remaining 160 people have lost their summer jobs -- many are high school and college kids.  Both of our kids worked "The Gorge" many summers during high school/college.
The Bridge and Park will be rebuilt -- they are saying 'bigger and better'.  However, the charm that had evolved over the last 84 years is gone forever.  My hope is that the city officials and bridge managers will refrain from turning it into a 'daredevil disneyland'.  May they design the buildings, structures, and attractions to enhance the natural beauty of the gorge, which is truly a gift from God.

In the meantime, life will go on -- the picture below shows the new white bison baby, named Smokey, born just yesterday at the park's wildlife zoo.  All animals in the zoo survived the fire!

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

And, the tourist business on the river has resumed -- the sightseeing train and the river rafting started up again this weekend.  There is still plenty to do here.  Come visit the beauty that is Colorado!!!!