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Ready to soar over the abyss? Power slide on a fast and furious jet boat? Or maybe plummet into an “old” mine shaft? If you’re looking for a new adventure this summer, Colorado has just what you need. ROYAL HEART STOPPERS Start with one of the world’s highest suspension bridges: the renown Royal Gorge Bridge west of Cañon City. Your adventure can be as simple as a walk across this famous bridge 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Or it could be more. You can zip across the gorge itself on the Cloudscraper Zip Line, swing out over the gorge on the Skycoaster or, if you’re looking for something tamer, ride the gondolas. Any of these adventures make for a smile-inducing adrenaline “fix.” “The zip rider is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” said Peggy Gair, public relations manager at the Royal Gorge Bridge. “Flying over the gorge, you have a beautiful view that takes your breath away.” It is thrilling, but it is also safe. State-ofthe-art harnesses and a self-braking system take the worry away, leaving you free to zip the 1,987 feet across the gorge while enjoying a fabulous view of rock cliffs and the Arkansas’ ribbon of blue almost 1,200 feet below. The zip line is new following a disastrous wildfire in 2013 that destroyed 90 percent of the park, including the original zip line, which paralleled the walls of the gorge. The new Cloudscraper, which now runs parallel to the bridge, opened in 2015. Up for more adrenaline? The Skycoaster was named the scariest sky coaster in the world by the manufacturer. It has been in place since 2003 and is one of a few features that survived the fire. You can only imagine what you’re in for as you’re outfitted in a flight suit and hooked into the Skycoaster swing’s platform along with up to two other people. Next, you’re pulled 100 feet up coloradocountrylife.coop
A brave rider on the Cloudscraper Zip Line enjoys the views as he zips across the Royal Gorge.
to get ready to swing out over the gorge. When you are ready, you, as the rider, pull the rip cord and sweep down and out over the cliff edge at about 50 mph. “People say it’s even scarier than the zip rider,” Gair said. “There’s a lot of screaming going on. It’s the closest thing to skydiving I’ve done.” Scenery surrounding all three rides — the gondola, zip line and Skycoaster — is awesome. You’ll see rock formations, the Arkansas River and 360 degrees of fantastic Colorado views. If the timing is right, you may even see the Royal Gorge Route Railroad below you, looking like a toy train as it snakes through the gorge. The bridge was built in 1929. When it opened during the Great Depression, the bridge itself was the main attraction with
visitors paying 25 cents to cross. Until 2001, it was the highest bridge in the world. Then, it was surpassed by the Liuguanghe Bridge in China. Today, it is still the highest bridge in the United States. Through the years more attractions were added to the park to satisfy the adventureseeking public, but it is doubtful any thrill ride will ever surpass the Skycoaster and the Cloudscraper. Everyone may enjoy the gondola ride across the gorge, which is included with park admission. There are separate fees for the Cloudscraper and the Skycoaster. Information can be found at www. RoyalGorgeBridge.com, or by calling 719275-7507 or 888-333-5597. [continued on page 18]
The Royal Gorge Skycoaster swings riders out over the gorge at a thrilling 50 mph. Riders compare the Skycoaster to sky diving and love the adventure and the beautiful Colorado scenery. Photo by Eve Nagode
JULY 2017
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