20 May - Visiting Callison's and the Royal Gorge; Puzios for Dinner

20 May
Woke this morning to heavy frost on the pickup, but no additional snow over night.  Temps hovering around freezing at night.

So first today we will travel south on I-25 to Colorado City to visit Bill and Linda Callison.

I worked with Bill from 1977-1984 at the Iowa Department of Public Safety Communications in Des Moines.  We both were Technician II's and maintained communications equipment for the Iowa State Patrol, Department of Criminal Investigation, Department of Natural Resources and other State entities.  Bill and I spent many days out on the road traveling to various sites in Iowa installing communications equipment.  I learned a ton from Bill about many things other than electronics.  He is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met.  If you had a question about electronics, air conditioning, welding, construction, fishing or about anything else, Bill could likely answer it!!  It was great to see Bill and Linda today!

Next, we headed to the Royal Gorge.  It is a popular tourist attraction located west of Canon City CO.  The gorge is a beautiful canyon of the Arkansas River and has a suspension bridge crossing.  Most of the area was devastated by a fire in 2013 including the buildings, but the bridge remained intact.  There is great evidence of the fire with the trees as you drive up the road to the gorge.

A walk across the bridge.

Each State is represented and it is customary to take your picture with you State's flag.

Using a telephoto lens I zoomed in on a white water rafting crew likely having lunch below

One of the steel cables made up of 2100 individual wires

Anchor point

After returning to the campsite we did some clean-up and maintenance and then Jake and Barbie Puzio stopped by the RV for dinner.  We brought some Fareway brat patties with us just for this occasion.  Before we ate we did the ceremonial placement of the State sticker on our map.  Barbie had the honors along with Doreen!

Tomorrow we pull chocks and head for Buckley Air Force base FamCamp near Denver CO.