The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
visited the famous Royal Gorge Park
in Canon, Colorado
August 30, 2012 |
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Below: The train next to the parking lot at Royal Gorge
Bridge and Park, "Colorado's Natural Wonder". |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies entered the Royal Gorge Bridge
and Park and saw a time-keeping creation that is one of only three
in the world, and the only one in Colorado. Its splashing water cascades
from bucket to bucket, keeping track of every minute of the day. Located
in front of the Visitors Center, its flowers and lush plantings make
this one of the favorite photo opportunities in the Park.
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The first thing the two RV Gypsies did upon entering the park was to ride the aerial tram. |
Engineering Facts of the Royal Gorge Aerial Tramway:
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Built in 1968 at a cost of $350,000
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Length: 2,200 feet
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Height above Arkansas River: 1,178 feet
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Power: direct current motor - Auxiliary gasoline emergency standby engine
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Maximum speed: 11.4 mph
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Track cables weigh over seven tons each
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More than two miles of cables utilized in tramway system
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Safety: wind-warning gauges working at all times; tram will not operate during severe weather or gusty winds
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Below: The Royal Gorge Aerial Tram arrived to pick up
the two RV Gypsies and other passengers. |
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Below: The two
RV Gypsies looked down into the gorge at the Arkansas River from inside
the aerial tram. It is one of the most massive gorges in the world.
The Gorge was created some three million years ago when a trickle of water first began to slowly carve a canyon out of the solid granite bedrock. Today that trickle is the raging Arkansas River, one of America's longest rivers. And the masterpiece that it continues to carve at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years is the Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado.
The Royal Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River. Yet it is unlike any other canyon. The width at the canyon bottom is no more than 40 to 50 feet, while the top measures only a few hundred feet wide. |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies
looked out from the side of the aerial tram to get a view of the suspension
bridge. |
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Below: While riding on the
aerial tram across the gorge, Lee Duquette took an awe-inspiring panoramic
photo of one of the world's highest suspension bridges that hangs 956
feet high and spans a quarter mile across the canyon. |
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Below: Looking across the gorge towards
the other side, while on the aerial tram. The item that looks sort of
like a goal post is the Royal Rush Skycoaster. (more about the Skycoaster
later on) |
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Below; Looking back at the starting point,
from about half-way across the gorge on the aerial tram. |
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