Colorado Never Comes Easy

How do you typically deal with unexpected problems encountered in overland travel?  

“Colorado has always been a good place to find out what you’re made of.”(John Hickenlooper) 

I  try to forget what tourist  brochures say that you can simply “chill”with “luxurious, winter vacation skiing in the mountains of Breckinridge, Aspen, or Vail. I also disdain any thoughts of that spectacular mountaintop like Pikes Peak to look out from will be easily obtained. And that cowboy boss image that I see so often stereotyped on television and movies portrays less information about how to survive in this harsh land than I thought. You see, whenever I’ve been traveling in Colorado, I’ve found it likely to be harder to do so than it seems.   

So let’s take a look at some of those unexpected hazards I’ve less than satisfactorily encountered from previous sightseeing adventures in Colorado. For one, I’ve learned from experience that the majority of the state’s population lies in densely packed, plains communities east of the Rocky Mountains. Yet being buffered from such mountainous terrain in the Denver environs, per se, has not diminished my sudden exposure in various seasons to torrential windstorms, long lasting drought, fast spreading forest fires or “whiteout” blizzard conditions. When heading into the long distance treks through the Rockies by car as well, I confess I’m relatively uninformed about “chaining up” my tires in blizzard conditions, using four wheel drive on muddy back roads and how to interpret detailed topographic maps when my GPS gauge fails to function in steep mountain areas. In cases of facing an animal intruder on those wild wilderness trails, I also would not be prepared to injure or kill a potentially threatening creature like a wolf or bear with a gun. 

But on the positive side, let’s just say I appreciate the opportunity of experiencing the present moment amid Colorado’s adverse conditions in the best way I can.Take for example our recent road trip excursion to the famed Royal Gorge Bridge, adjacent to the historic Gold Rush town  of Canon City, in the southeasterly sector of the state. In the following blog section, I imagine then that on this frigid morning”, I’ve desired  to set out as a prospective mining rush digger from Royal Gorge in the manner of one who arduously explored the area in the mid 19th century. In order to potentially strike it rich in this terrain, I must deal with this steep canyon ridge crossing over a fast flowing river far below. 

Brrrr!, I’m freezing. Where can I seek some nearby shelter from the elements to rest up and prepare? Those shacks in the distance would probably do. Tomorrow, I’ll lighten up my pack for the long walk over that flimsy looking, foot bridge to search ahead. What a spot to capture a keen eye view then for what rock layers lie below, especially along the sides of the canyon! But be careful for those gaps in the wood planks or you might fall through. I also hear a shrill whistle of an incoming steam train that’s certainly following along the river below. With surrounding walking trails unclear in the distance, I might consider risking a hike down to the nearest  railway station as the best  manner of transportation to scan the potential wealth of this vicinity. So why am I so happy today? It will not be an easy time to find my way around.     

Enjoy my photos of this simulated adventure. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Key Sources:

http://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Royal_Gorge_Bridge

https://royalgorgebridge.com/majestic-landmark-of-history-at-royal-gorge/

https://royalgorgebridge.com/about-the-park/