The two RV Gypsies on the suspension bridge at
Royal Gorge Park in Canon, ColoradO
and learned some history about David Kirke
- Page 2 of 4 - The Suspension Bridge

Hanging above Colorado’s wild Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge is America's highest suspension bridge and a legendary feat of engineering renowned the world over. Built in 1929 (June - November) for $350,000, the cost today would easily exceed $15 million.

A state flag from each of the USA's 50 states is attached to the railing of the suspension bridge.

Looking down from the bridge at the Arkansas River

Looking down from the bridge to the area where the Incline Railway will take the two RV Gypsies after they walk across the bridge.

Using a zoom lens, Karen Duquette photographed part of the Incline Railway tracks, and the railroad tracks at the bottom of the gorge.

Below: Several views of the aerial tram as seen from the suspension bridge.

Lee Duquette on the suspension bridge by the New Hampshire state flag.

More views from the suspension bridge.

David Kirke (born 1945) is a founding member of the Dangerous Sports Club and was the first man to perform the modern bungee jump in 1979. David Kirke bungee jumped from the Royal Gorge bridge while performing for ABC's old television series "That's Incredible." (Below: see the two RV Gypsies by the sign on the bridge).

quote from Outside magazine, June 1995

quote - Ken Fuller is hoping to avoid sweaty palms this June 18, 1995. At about noon, a crowd that locals predict will be as large as 15,000 will begin to gather on the rim of Colorado's 1,053-foot-deep Royal Gorge. "At one o'clock, I'll rig in to my harness and try to stay relaxed," says the 38-year-old army recruiter from Greeley, Colorado. "Then I'll let the rope slide until my boots are in the Arkansas River." The coup de grace: He'll ride a sightseeing train up the canyon and, he says, "wave triumphantly."

The point of all this, for those of us scratching our heads, is to set a new record for free repelling off a bridge. (Free rappel ling is descending a rope without touching a cliff or some other vertical plane.) But clearly there's more going on in Fuller's mind. "There just isn't any good documentation in this field," he complains, as if he were on a mission to set the record books straight. "Longer free repels may have been done, but this is definitely the longest off a bridge."

Of course, Fuller's big day won't be without hazards. "Meltdown," states Fuller. "If I move too fast, my rappel ling rings could singe the rope. But I can't talk about that. It's bad karma to discuss equipment failure."

Below: Two photos of people on the zipline, as seen from the bridge- Yes, the two RV Gypsies will ride this zipline today.

INSPIRATION POINT AND VIEWS FROM INSPIRATION POINT

Below: Views of the bridge, the Cliff Walk and the pavilion from Inspiration Point.

Lee Duquette on the Cliff Walk

A few different view of the cables on the suspension bridge

Please continue on to learn about the the Incline Railway, the skycoaster, and the zipline.