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Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

18 January 2015

Second Highest Bridge In The World

It was another busy day searching for a destination to visit. Spend an hour and planned 3 places to visit. Royal Gorge was the first one in the sequence. 

The main reason to visit this place? This bridge was the highest bridge in the WORLD till 2001, when it's position was replaced by the Liuguanghe Bridge in China.



I was amazed at this creation for all through the journey. A construction masterpiece by itself. Unlike the bridge in China, this isn't made of concrete, but with big chunks of metal, all over the place.



And can you believe the fact that this bridge was built in just six months. That was an amazing fact for me.

The sad part - in June 2013, the areas was destroyed by a severe wild fire. Almost the entire park and the facilities were burned to flames. Only the bridge stood the ground. 

The entire place looked deserted due to this event. Hope they will rebuild the old glorious day of this park.


28 September 2014

Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre

I heard a lot about this place from my colleague, couple of weeks before the Colorado trip. I didn't know much about this place then. 

Once the trekking through the Red Rock Mountain Park trail was over, I sat for sometime to read about the amphitheater. Learned this research and preparation from Ani. She collects all the information about the place to visit much ahead of the trip that we could really understand the significance of the place we were in.

The best part I loved about this amphitheater - no one built it. It is a naturally formed venue, a perfect architecture for an amphitheater. You can enjoy the concerts, enjoying the music and staring at the star studded night and mystical natural ambiance embracing your heart and mind. One step closer to heaven is what I can say about that feeling.


The entrance of the amphitheater. There wasn't much visitors around when I reached this place. There was preparations going on for a concert that night. Logistics teams were busy ferrying the equipments to this place.


Towards the amphitheater is the visitor center. Past to this is where the back row of the theater begins. Its like a slope towards the stage.


The gathering area outside the theater.


And I am viewing a natural marvel. The best amphitheater in the world. Goosebumps!


The venue getting ready for a big concert of the evening.


A concert at Red Rock Amphitheater


27 September 2014

Red Rock Mountain Park

I noticed this park while on the Dinosaur Ridge bus tour. The park was so visible as it looked so reddish. The rock formations were strange and unique, the red colored mountains and the terrain looked so beautiful. I decided that to be the next location to visit.


Red Rocks Park is a mountain park in Jefferson County, Colorado. The park is known for its very large red sandstone outcrops. Many of these rock formations within the park have names, from the mushroom-shaped Seat of Pluto to the inclined Cave of the Seven Ladders.


When I reached the park, which is very close to the dinosaur ridge, there wasn't much people around. The place was so calm and beautiful. I could listen to the joyful voice from the mountains, from those who were trekking along the beautiful park trails.


Parked the car and I just couldn't take my eyes from the beauty of the mountains around. It felt like the place might get a shower, but it only enhanced the beauty of that place. So soothing to the heart and I got refreshed with the cold breeze around that place.


From the parking lot, we have to walk few miles to reach the center of red rock mountain. Saw a couple who were so excited to cycle up the mountain. When they saw me clicking pics around, they wishes and waved at me. Spoke to them for sometime and got some interesting information about the park. I decided to walk up the mountain then.


The rocks at this place are formed about 290 million years ago. I was right in the center of a historical gem at that moment.


This small passage through the mountain took me to another exciting part of the Red Rock Mountain park. The world renowned amphi-theatre. I never realized its significance until I spoke to the theater director, who gave interesting facts about that place.


This world is so special, filled with views that will never quench our thirst to travel. I was enjoying each and every moment of the journey. Walking through the lands which I thought I will never see in my life...


05 September 2014

Dinosaur Ridge - The Old Ocean Base

That was an another beautiful day at Colorado. Got up in the morning and flipped through the list I had for the next destination. Rocky Mountains - topped the list. But it was too early to reach that place. So decided to pick once more destination to fill the gap. TripAdvisor picked up the Dinosaur Ridge and I headed to visit the same.

After the visit and the van tour, I realized one fact. The place was authentic. Not a normal visiting area. It has the world's best dinosaur sightings. Couldn't believe the fact that the land I was standing then was under the ocean for years. Wow, am impressed.

Dinosaur Ridge is part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark located in Morrison, Colorado, just west of Denver.


The Dinosaur Ridge area is one of the world's most famous dinosaur fossil localities. In 1877, some of the best-known dinosaurs were found here, including Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus. In 1973, the area was recognized for its uniqueness as well as its historical and scientific significance when it was designated the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.


Bus tour on every 45 minutes. And I was right on time, so didn't want to wait for long. 5$ trip, but it was worth the journey.


That's the tour bus. The guide was smart and resourceful. And he made the trip so exciting with interesting information about the place.


Life size dinosaur structure at the visitor center. Took this timer picture while waiting for the bus.


I mentioned about this place under the ocean. The ripple marks on the mountain is due to the water movement. Interesting!


One of the few spots of the bus tour. Dinosaur foot prints all over the place.


Million year old rocks. Highly protected and preserved.


So I took some rocks in my hand. I have a deep root history on my palm.


Different type of rock formations over the years made this place looks like an architectural marvel.


Because of the historical significance, I couldn't even collect some rocks. I would have done that as I learned from the Arkansas visit that rock collection is a highly appreciated hobby :)


That was a real dinosaur bone. Real mean real. Wow - I was so happy to touch and feel the remains of my nightmare :)


Kids were the most excited people in the group. I left the group when small kids started asking questions beyond their age. I couldn't take that :)


Someone built a home around this place and it looked fantastic. Blended with the nature, that house had all its beauty in it.




Rocky Mountains - Part Two

What's the driving force which makes the traveler to enjoy his endeavor? For me it's Curiosity & Learning. 

Curiosity is what which made me to drive the car in the first week in USA, without even knowing the Yield, Stop and lane concepts. Hard way of learning. Must say that I improved on that week itself. Thats the learning part. And most important learning - horn is the most useless part of an automobile in US, which is so different from my Indian experience.

Took an hour to reach at the summit of the Rocky Mountains though. 

The climate was so good. The cool air freshened me up from the back pain of the drive. But in few minutes, I felt like being a part of that world. Disconnected from the town beneath and up in the heavens. That was a fantastic feeling.



I was surprised to see the above message on the up way. If there is a restriction for pets, that means, they are pretty serious about the place. Otherwise pets are the kings here.


There is a view point towards the end of this road. The view which will mesmerize everyone. The nature at it's best. Fogs sliding over the mountain ranges, the white patches from the winter ice all over the place - that was a sight worth of a life time.


Those are gigantic mountains. But looks small from the view point. Realized how small I am in this world, compared to these creations...


Few more travelers joined us. All were busy running around enjoying and capturing the beauty. To be frank, I didn't even spare a small stone in my reach. Everything was special, and everything around mesmerized me.


As usual, as Ani is not with me, I had to depend on timer shots.


When I saw this view, I decided to touch the snow on that mountain. And I went. Grabbed a handful of snow, pressed into a ball shape and slapped on to my face. Why did I do that? I don't know. Was I crazy for the first snow encounter in my life? I think so.


My car looked beautiful at this place. Thats the magical effect of this place.


While climbing up the mountains, my face was without any emotions. I didn't want to slip down to the mountain foot from 11000 feet anyway :)



It will attract anyone who comes to this place. You might stand still, forgetting about everything around, until someones comes to you and wake you from the dream...


Proud to tackle the heights. There wasn't much people around. It is fun to do things differently. What say?


The happiness flowed from the mountains to my heart and it reflected on my smile :)




I would really love to go back to this place another time. The magical mountain top experience.


22 August 2014

Wanderlust: Colorado & Snow Capped Mountains

At City of Colorado Springs - Red Rock Canyon
Always imagined about visiting this place once. But could never figure out the date and time for that occasion before. And so when I landed at Colorado, it took sometime for me to connect the dream with the reality. 

Walked around the airport visitor center for sometime collecting the brochures and flyers on the attractions. 

17 miles from the airport is Aurora, where my sister's friend stays. They've been so kind to accommodate me on the long weekend. And I had a wonderful time with them. Travel, fun, snow, food - that was a travel I longed for.

The best part of the vacation:.

I drove in and around like a crazy driver. Covered almost all the attractions in 5 days. The fresh air and less crowded mountain roads, green covered trails and unexpected moose encounters - that was fun.



It just rained when I was heading to Mount Evans. The sky was beautiful, nature looked fresh and the traffic was bad. Enjoyed the drive with the video shoot and gazing at the wonderful Colorado mountains all the way.