Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado, is hosting a big kick-off weekend May 8 – 10 to celebrate the comeback and resilience of the park after a June 2013 wildfire roared through the Royal Gorge area, destroying 48 out of 52 structures and attractions. Fortunately the iconic bridge built in 1929 was spared.
The 2015 season is the first season that the park will be fully operational to welcome groups and tourists since the fire. Adventurous guests can try out the recently installed Royal Gorge Cloudscraper by Zip Rider, which travels a distance of 2,400 feet across the Royal Gorge at 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River. Additional attractions include the new aerial tramway, Royal Rush Skycoaster, Plaza Theater, a trolley system that transports guests across the bridge, and several fun options for kids.
The new visitor center features blackened Royal Gorge Bridge planks from the fire on the exterior as well as a gift shop and Café 1230, a restaurant named for being 1,230 feet above the Arkansas River. Café 1230 has a large observation deck equipped with comfortable seating and a large fireplace.
Celebrating a bridge over a gorge and several other significant anniversaries in 2015 also is underway in Taos, New Mexico. This is the 50th anniversary of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the fifth highest bridge in the United States that was built in 1965 to allow easier and safer access to Taos from the west. The bridge sits at approximately 650 feet above the Rio Grande, spans 1,280 feet and has appeared in many films.
One of country’s oldest art colonies in the United States, Taos also is recognizing the 100th anniversary of the formation of Taos Society of Artists. The Mural Room of the Old Courthouse on Taos Plaza, the Historic Taos Inn and other downtown venues will host 100th anniversary celebrations on July 15, which falls right between the 30th annual Taos Pueblo Pow Wow and the Spanish celebration of Fiestas de Taos. Theatrical readings, lectures and walking tours focusing on the 100th anniversary are scheduled throughout the year.
Other major milestone include the 400th anniversary of Taos Plaza; 300th anniversary of La Lovata Acequia, a system of hand-dug ditches that irrigates the lush Taos valley; 200th anniversary of San Francisco de Asis Church, a National Historic Landmark; and 60th ski season at Taos Ski Valley.
Lots of great reasons to get out and enjoy spring and summer!
