Saturday, October 30, 2010

Trip to Florence & Canon City

While we were in Colorado, we decided to visit cousins living in Florence.  A friend recommended driving 285 to 9 to 50 as a more scenic route avoiding the interstate. The trip took us through the Kenosha Pass, Red Hill Pass and the Pike National Forest.

Coming out of Kenosha Pass - 10,000'

Driving out of Red Hill Pass - 9,993'

Bison along Route 9 

Nyle & Tina are building a house on 35 acres outside of Florence, CO.  Looking out from their front porch is a gorgeous view of the south side of Pike's Peak.

The house under construction

Pike's Peak - 14,110' 
View from the front porch

View of Pike's Peak from upstairs

The next day, we decided a train ride through the Royal Gorge would be a great side trip.  The views of the river and surrounding mountains were outstanding!

Royal Gorge Station


All aboard!



Take a ride with us on the Royal Gorge Train

Admiring the beauty of the Gorge





Bridge across the Royal Gorge



Rapids on the Royal River





You can see how close the train runs to the walls of the Gorge


After our train trip, we were headed off to see Bishop Castle.  Jim Bishop bought the land on the edge of the San Isabel National Forest when he was 15.  It was started in 1969 as a family cabin made of nearby stone because he was too poor to buy conventional building material.  People said it resembled a castle and so he decided that's what it would be and has been building ever since.  

Bishop Castle

Stained glass at the Castle

Windows & more stained glass


The castle's dragon is made from recycled metal hospital trays 
& shoots fire about 6 feet


The view from one of the towers down to the road. 
You can barely see the van from here.

Tim in one of the towers

Iron grating walkways are everywhere - a little scary to walk on!

A good view of one of the towers & the walkways surrounding it.

Cosses on the outside of a tower

Walkway to nowhere

Side view of the Castle

Castle from the Isabel National Forest

This was definitely a wild place to visit and it's still under construction....if you're ever in the vicinity you should go see it!







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