Redstone & Marble

 

Nestled between cliff faces of red rock and the Crystal River is the picturesque town of Redstone, Colorado. Originally a coal mining town, Redstone has evolved into an artsy community. The town seems frozen in time.

 

 

If quiet life and scenic views are what you are craving, then Redstone is the place for you.

And the Crystal River really is crystal clear.

Throughout the town marble, both decorative and functional, is a common sight. 

This is because the town of Marble is just a few miles away. The Marble Quarry has supplied marble to far more than just Redstone. The quarry has supplied marble for both the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Lincoln Memorial.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The U.S. National Parks are so varied in what they offer that it's hard to rank them in any kind of order. But if Betty and I had to pick a favorite, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park would certainly be a contender.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the newest national parks (established in 1999) and, in our opinion, one of the most breathtaking, perhaps because it is nearly 3 times as deep as it is wide. The result is that, except for mid-day, the bottom is shrouded in black shadow on one side while on the other side sunlight picks out all the colors and veins of rock.

Betty and I had visited the Grand Canyon years earlier. We agreed Black Canyon of the Gunnison is more visually stunning.

The south rim drive runs for just over 7 miles with about 12 pull-off locations. From each pull-off, a short trail leads to a unique view of he canyon.  In wider areas, hoodoos rise from the canyon floor.

 

 In narrower areas the river has left behind a geological history lesson. Clearly evident are the differing layers and types of rock that make up the inside of the mountain range.

 Everywhere there is evidence the river continues it's unending work of carving deeper into the earth.

Hiking trails are available for all levels of experience. One of the more challenging trails begins at the rim of the canyon and zig-zags its way to the bottom. Of course once at the bottom it's necessary to climb back up. The trail is so challenging that hikers have to register at the park office. I asked if this was so the ranger could assess a hiker's experience and ability.  The answer was a little unnerving. Registration is required so that if a hiker has not returned within an hour of the park closing time, rangers know to go looking.

Needless to say, Betty and I did not register for that trail.

We did run into one very young and fit hiker who had just made his way back to the top. He described the hike as beautiful and intense.

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

 

After our visit to the sand dunes, Betty and I ventured to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I sure wasn't expecting to find myself standing in the middle of a suspension bridge staring straight down nearly a thousand feet to the Arkansas River.

 An amusement park of sorts has built up around this engineering marvel. There's a giant swing, they call it a skycoaster, that flings riders out in midair for a bird's eye view of  the gorge, zip lines, and cable cars.

 

 We chose the cable car for our first pass across the gorge. 

 

That cable car left me looking forward to having a solid bridge beneath my feet on the way back across the gorge.

While the bridge was no doubt structurally sound, it did not provide a sense of solidity. The unending parade of people created a continuous bounce. When a motorized jitney came across, I lurched for the handrail and white-knuckled the metal until the worst of the bouncing had passed.

Once in the middle, the views were spectacular. I confess that while on the bridge all of my photographs were taken one-handed, with my other hand firmly gripping a railing or strut.

While the key support system of the bridge is steel, the deck is made of wooden planks. The flags of all 50 states fly along the handrails.