April 26, 2021: Colorado Springs, CO -- Hooper, CO
Updated: Apr 28, 2021
I drove three hours into the snow capped mountains, winding country roads, gorge rising on either side, river running parallel. My shoulders hurt, my eyes wondered. We arrived in the middle of fields of dry grass, flat across the horizon until Sangre de Cristo mountains rose suddenly into the clouds.
We arrived at the hot springs, a collection of buildings and parked cars as the only sign of civilization as far as we could see. In the “Greenhouse,” an indoor hot tub zone, couples walked around with alcohol in their hands in the dim lighting.
On the way, we met a young couple who had recently moved to Colorado Springs, at Royal Gorge. They were tattooed all over and were visiting the gorge on a day trip. The Royal Gorge features a bridge, suspended with dozens of wire cables wrapped together, wooden slats and metal railings. We were suspended over 1000 feet on the gorge, plunging straight down in rock, river slinking along on the bottom. A train rolled by slowly along the edge of the river. On the bridge, every few feet was a state flag and even a sign that said “No Fishing.”
Because of high winds, the scheduled zipline was canceled. I ended up on a “skycoaster,” a huge swing-like ride above the gorge, strapped to a random man. I was not allowed to ride alone because of the high winds and the couple in front of me said I could go with them, and they were strangers at this point. We went up 100 feet, facing the ground with nothing underneath us. I have never done anything more terrifying with strangers. We did meet those people later on the ground.
Yay! I can see comments now! Yup. I can do that, even at my advanced age and with my decrepit body. 🤣