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EnCompass®
The AAA Companion |
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September | October 2004
Volume 78 Issue 5
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Feature Article
75th Anniversary
of a Colorado Landmark
Wondering what to see in Colorado? How about a place where the world's highest suspension bridge crosses one of the world's deepest, most awe-inspiring canyons. As if that's not enough, the Royal Gorge Bridge celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
The Royal Gorge Bridge took only six months to build in 1929. It hangs 1,053 feet high and spans a quarter mile across one of the world's narrowest and steepest canyons. The width at the canyon bottom is no more than 40 to 50 feet, while the top measures only a few hundred feet.
The gorge was begun some three million years ago when a trickle of water first began to slowly carve a canyon out of the solid granite bedrock. Today that trickle is the raging Arkansas, one of America's longest rivers. And the masterpiece it continues to carve at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years is the Royal Gorge.
Although viewing the Royal Gorge from the bridge is spectacular and truly breathtaking, there are numerous ways to see and experience the gorge.
Visitors can ride the world's longest single-span Aerial Tram or slowly drop into the canyon in the steepest Incline Railway on the planet. A different approach would be to see the gorge and bridge from the bottom of the canyon on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, which departs from nearby Cañon City.
Or, if you're really brave, you might try the park's new ride, the Royal Rush Skycoaster. What is it? It has been described as a bungee ride that will swing you out over the edge of the canyon walls so you can dangle 1,053 feet above the canyon floor.
New Views
Mummies, hip artists and Pulitzer Prize photos
New look at old treasures, Denver Museum of Nature and Science — "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt" provides a fascinating glimpse into ancient beliefs about the afterlife among Egyptians some 3,000 years ago. More than 100 objects comprise the largest collection of sacred Egyptian artifacts ever displayed in North America. Sept. 10-Jan. 23, 2005; www.dmns.org; 303-322-7009.
See life through the eyes of visual artists, Boulder-More than 140 artists in a variety of media (sculpting, woodworking, painting, photography, ceramics and more) will open their private studios for self-guided tours as part of the 10th annual Open Studios event. Two weekends: Sat. & Sun., Oct. 2 & 3, and Oct. 9 & 10, noon-6 p.m.; 303-444-1862. An exhibit that includes work from each participating artist will be in the Canyon Gallery at the Boulder Public Library from Sept. 20-Oct. 11.
Photos you'll remember, photos you'll want to see, Colorado History Museum, Denver — Nearly 130 incredible photos will be on display in "Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs." The exhibit includes famous shots, such as the WWII raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, as well as lesser-known but worthy ones, such as the 2004 feature photo by Boulder native, Carolyn Cole. Museum hours have been extended for the show. Sept. 2-Dec.12;
303-866-3682.
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| Equally disributing focus from foreground to background is effective for overview type shots.
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Taking better photos
Creative use of depth-of-field enhances photos
By Jerome Shaw
Choosing which elements in your photo are in focus is one of the most dynamic creative controls available to photographers. When objects that are just a few feet from your camera and objects that are miles from your camera are both in focus, that means you have maximum depth-of-field (DOF). Minimum DOF is when your subject is in focus but elements inches in front and behind your subject are out of focus.
Three factors influence DOF: the aperture or f stop; the focal length of the lens; and the camera-to-subject distance.
When maximum DOF is desired, select a wide angle lens and the smallest aperture available (usually f22 or f16). As example, select a 28mm lens, set the aperture at f22 and set the focus at 6 feet. This combination creates a zone of focus from 3 feet to infinity. If you are using a camera with program modes, chose the landscape setting.
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| Focus on foreground only: A blurred background can enhance the emahasis on a specific subject.
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To create minimal DOF choose a telephoto lens (200mm) and select f2.8 (or the largest f stop available). Position the subject at the closest point the lens will focus and as far from the background as possible. This will isolate the in-focus subject against the out-of-focus background. If you're using a camera with program modes, chose the portrait setting.
Depending upon your subject and composition, such control of DOF will enhance your final result.
Jerome Shaw has been
a professional photographer for 25 years and teaches
photography workshops; www.jeromeshaw.com.
History
Colorado Street Stories ~
The Count of Colorado Springs
Visitors who wander off the gorgeous grounds of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs may soon find themselves on Pourtales Road.
The scenic road is named for James Pourtales, a Prussian count who settled in Colorado Springs in 1884. Not long before, the land at the base of Cheyenne Mountain had been converted from a ranch where corn was grown for broom production into the Broadmoor Dairy Farm.
When the dairy owner, Willie Wilcox, struggled to make ends meet, Count Pourtales offered his knowledge of German scientific farming. The partnership saved the farm, but it would never turn a large profit.
In 1890, the count bought the 2,400-acre farm and formed the Broadmoor Land and Investment Company. His vision was to develop an upper-class suburb with numerous amenities to increase the value of home sites.
Poutales started by building a casino, then added a small hotel. But these ventures fared no better than the dairy. They were sold in 1917 to Spencer Penrose, a Philadelphian with the wherewithal to build a grand resort.
The Broadmoor Hotel opened with four wings of elaborate Italian Renaissance architecture on June 29, 1918. It has since hosted a litany of presidents, from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush and royals from Princess Anne to the King of Siam.
And a nearby road reminds us that a nobleman named Pourtales started the whole thing.
Ron Rudolph has driven through all contiguous states except Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Fire dept. photo:
Colorado Springs or Silverton?
We have no definitive answer on the fire department mystery photo that ran in the July/August issue. (It can be seen online in the EnCompass section at www.aaa.com.) Thanks to all who sent in their ideas.
Mark Niemeyer's research focused primarily on the uniforms, comparing elements such as hats and shirts with those worn by firemen in photos already identified. Through such methods he ruled out any Denver fire department. To him, the uniforms indicated that the fire department was in or around Colorado Springs in the 1880s.
Mark Pettinato wrote:
"I think the building on the right is the Grand Imperial Victorian Hotel in Silverton. It was built in 1882. I think the letters "BA" and "xch" might stand for "Bank" and "exchange clearing house."
It should be noted that inherent in each issue's Mystery Photo is the fact that the Colorado Historical Society has not been able to identify the subject. By publishing the photo, AAA Colorado is asking members to aid in identification.
All responses to each issue's Mystery Photo are
forwarded to the Colorado Historical Society in
hopes that feedback from EnCompass readers will lead to a positive identification.
New Mystery Photo
We hope this property (est. late 1800s/early 1900s), is easy for readers to help us identity. The unidentified photo is part of
the Fred Mazzulla collection and is courtesy of the Colorado Historical Society, which has an extensive photo collection available to the public. 303-866-2305; www.coloradohistory.org.
Eat ~ Shop ~ Stay
An 1830s rendezvous and where
to watch a drive-in movie
in bed
By Linda DuVal
Well-known
and worth it
Perhaps you've dined at The Fort in Morrison, which serves early Colorado cuisine set in a replica of an old trading fort. But it's especially worth a visit during Spanish Market and 1830s Rendezvous, Sept. 25 and 26. All that gorgeous art and mountain man lore leave you hankering for a platter of buffalo ribs or braised bison tongue. Really!
303-697-4771.
The award-winning Vail Cascade Resort & Spa has just completed a $5 million renovation of its nearly 300 guest rooms, the final phase of a $20 million renovation which has upgraded the entire place during the past few years. If you go, be sure to check out the 78,000-square-foot Aria spa. Last year SpaFinder's magazine rated it as the Best Winter Sports Spa.
Lesser-known gems
If you're more interested in cowboy boots than ski boots, one of the country's oldest, and best, Western wear stores is in downtown Steamboat Springs. F. M. Light & Co. celebrates 100 years in business this winter.  It has a huge selection, and you can still buy a cowboy hat for $4.95. 800-530-8908 or 970-879-1822.
Shoppers at Mesa Verde Pottery, on the east edge of Cortez, can watch artists carving and painting pots. The unique Ute- and Navajo-made pottery has come a long way since the pottery we all have sitting around our homes from the '60s and '70s. 800-441-9908 or 970-565-4492.
Something different
Don't whiz through Trinidad thinking there's nothing but fast food on the menu. Check out Black Jack's Saloon downtown. It's not fancy, but it's in a cool historic building and the early-taxidermy décor includes a rare white buffalo head. Locals say it has the best steaks and seafood for miles around. It's only open for dinner, so to see if they can squeeze you in on the spur of the moment, call 719-846-9501.
Some people love to watch TV in bed. But a drive-in movie? At the Best Western Movie Manor in Monte Vista, guests can slip into something more comfortable to watch the first-run movies at the adjacent Star Drive-in from their rooms. Sound is piped into each room, which is named after a famous movie star (e.g., John Wayne, Grace Kelly). If you want to do the old-fashioned drive-in experience, go in by car for free by showing your room key. 719-852-5921.
See & Do
Where to earn your wings and
cross the world's longest arch bridge
Well-known
and worth it
Once Labor Day is over and tourist traffic subsides a bit, head to Rocky Mountain National Park and either drive or bike up the spectacular Old Fall River Road, easily accessed from Estes Park. Fall colors are particularly gorgeous along the one-way byway (return via Trail Ridge Road), but they turn early up here, so call to check on their status. 970-586-1206.
Everybody knows the legendary Doc Holliday is buried in the cemetery above Glenwood Springs. But did you ever meet him? You can, during the Frontier Museum's Ghost Walks,
Oct. 17-19 and 22-24.
It's a fairly steep hike by flashlight, but at the top, actors portray the characters buried in the graves-including Doc.
970-945-4448.
Lesser-known gems
Dinosaur alert! You've got to see the world's smallest T-rex and the world's only known Pachycephalosaurus on display at the new Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park. The museum has terrific exhibits, well explained by easy-to-read signage or knowledgeable tour guides. You can spot it from U.S. Highway 24 that runs through downtown.
Just look for the giant palm trees. 719-686-1820
Ever pick a peck of apples? You can, at the annual Apple Fest in Cedaredge, on the Western Slope. The free festival in town features an apple bake-off and continuous live music, Oct. 2-3. You can also pick your own apples in nearby orchards, visit Pioneer Town, and view fantastic fall colors on the adjacent Grand Mesa. 970-856-6961
Something different
Fall is the perfect time, temperature-wise, to visit Pawnee National Grasslands east of Greeley. The dramatic Pawnee Buttes inspired the opening of James Michener's Colorado opus, Centennial. Get out of the car and hike a bit to see it up close and personal. And if you access the grasslands via Fort Morgan, a trip up Colorado Highway 52 will take you over the Rainbow Arch Bridge, the world's longest arch bridge, which spans the South Platte River just north of town. 970-353-5004.
Anyone who's ever dreamed of flying a fighter plane in combat can do just that with Sky Fighters at the Centennial Airport in Englewood. They'll let you suit up and take off (with a mentor pilot), participating in a mock dogfight, the likes of which you've seen only in movies. Want to try your wings? Call 303-790-7375 or 800-ATTACK-1.
Linda DuVal is the former travel editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette.
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