ALL ABOARD!!!

From 1881 to 1889, William Barstow Strong was President of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. I don't know the whole story, but I think it's his grandson that is one of our original members of the Golden Spike Group.  This one's for you Bill!!

 It was time to check out the main reason we came to Canon City.  This is the Royal Gorge Route train that meanders through the canyon underneath that crazy bridge and zip line at the very top edge.

Meet part of the Golden spike RV group.  We travel all over the Western states in search of trains, mostly of the steam variety, to ride and relive the old west days of yore.  That tells you why I'm involved ... OLD WEST is what I'm all about.

 

 

All Aboard!!  We filled up half the car.  The train was surprisingly full considering the circumstances.  Weird that we were required to wear our masks OUTSIDE, even in the outside car.  Inside, we took them off.

They did have several open-air cars, so of course that's where I spent the entire time as we headed out through the canyon.

In spite of the low water level, there were lots of rafters heading down the mini rapids.  Their worst problem was not hitting their butts on the many rocks clearly visible.

 Here's an interesting site.  That's not a log along the edge, it's a wooden wire-wrapped pipe, now very much rotten and falling apart, that carried water from far up the river clear down to Canon City.  Apparently they couldn't get water from a closer location due to the alkali.  More about this further into the trip.

Suddenly, the Royal Gorge Bridge came into view. 

 

Wow ..... that's a LONG way up there.  That little black blob that looks like a bug on your windshield at the very top left .... is the gondola.

 

 

As we came around the corner, the zip line passed by.  I think we all cringed when we realized we were actually standing up on that bridge the day before.

 

 

As we came out from under the bridge, we passed over the part of the tracks that are held up by these steel braces on each side.  That's right, there is nothing under the train here but water.  Four of these braces kept us above the water level until firm rock was reached ahead.

 More rafters cruising along made for some colorful scenery.  They all yelled and waved at us as they passed by.

Finally through the canyon, we were greeted by these very colorful Yurts which you can rent.  Many of the rafters put in here also for your patio entertainment.
 

In 1908 the citizens of Canon City put out a bid to construct a wooden stave water pipe, settling basin and filter to bring fresh filtered water to town.

I don't know how they did it, because that pipe above is suspended over the water part of the way.  The settling pond and filter were all made of concrete.  It's amazing how they could build this on the canyon walls.  The little town had not only clean filtered water to drink, but they also ran it through a plant to make electricity, and in the end, sold the rest of the water for irrigation.

 

 

 

The trip back was just as spectacular as it was going.  I just can't imagine them building this railroad in this valley of solid rock.  By the way, the train has a great menu with excellent food if you want lunch, along with what I understand was EXCELLENT beer, even a fancy sampler of brews.

 

Back at the station, they accommodated our group for pictures by the William B. Strong car. 

 

 

As the sun set, we barbecued whatever we could find in the fridge and shared salads, along with enough dessert to feed an army. 

Next up, I can't seem to get away from the snakes!!