Insects, gardens, rocks, bridges, gorges

Colorado Springs, CO

(Sightseeing)

June 13, 2017 - June 15, 2017

It's easy to spend time in Colorado Springs because it has so many things to see and do. It was also a reminder that summer is here, the kids are out of school, and getting a campground reservation isn't just a good idea, it's a must.  After numerous calls and slight panic we managed to get a spot in a place called the Golden Eagle Campground which is associated with the unusual and very interesting May Natural History Museum.  It is billed as the "World's Largest Private Insect Collection." Although some of the insects were purchased or traded between other collectors, most were collected from all over the world by one man.  The information about where they were found was even historically interesting in that many of the countries don't even exist any longer.  At any rate - here is a SMALL sampling of bugs, butterflies, moths, spiders, beetles, etc. from Mr. May's incredible collection.

James May (the collector) and his son John, who built the custom, air-tight cases which display the insects.

I actually have more pictures but you get the idea.

Garden of the Gods

A tremendously beautiful and large piece of land left to the city of Colorado Springs by Charles Elliot Perkins on the condition it be a free public park.  What a gift!  Visitors can hike, bike, rock climb or just view the park by car.  There are literally miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. The green trees and bushes, set against the unusual rock formations are stunning.

One of the hiking trails.

Looking north to south along the west side of the garden.

Panorama of the view above.

Steamboat rock from the north.

Can you see a figure in this rock?

Looking down the garden from the north end.

Balanced Rock

Steamboat Rock from the South.

Royal Gorge Bridge - Canon City, CO.

After reading about the Royal Gorge Bridge I felt we really needed to see it for ourselves.  Built in 6 months time in 1929, it is one of the world's highest suspension bridges.  It crosses a canyon cut by the Arkansas river which is 955 feet below.  In 2013 a wild fire destroyed all the park buildings but the bridge was mostly unharmed.

Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge.

View of some of the cables which hold the bridge up.

Arkansas River Gorge

The railroad along the river was added in the 1950's.

Selfie taken at the Washington State flag along the bridge.

View as you walk over the bridge.

Cable infrastructure

More cable infrastructure

If you're brave enough you can zip line over the gorge!!!

It would be easy to spend several weeks in the Colorado Springs area as there are many interesting things to see and do there including a drive up Pikes Peak.  We had intended to do that drive but we got there 10 minutes after they closed the road for the night!  I guess it will have to wait till our next visit.