Camping in Gleenwood Canyon CO

[klenger]

We are camping for a few days, enjoying some of beautiful Colorado. We are spending two nights at a campground at No Name Colorado near Gleenwood Springs. Here is a pic of our spot with a Union Pacific train going by. It's sort of like in the Blues Brothers,... "they go by so often you won't even notice them. "



I bicycled the full length of the canyon today, and was just amazed at how beautiful it is. I've been here many times in the last 25 years, but this was my first opportunity to bicycle all of it. I think this is the most beautiful section of the interstate highway system in the country. The engineers were able to build a 4 lane interstate highway, including a great bike path, and shared this narrow canyon with the Colorado River and the UP RR tracks. All this with very little impact on the envirenment.



Here are some more pics of the canyon that I took last year while I was here.



For those that may not be aware of this, KatDiesel is one of the dispatchers for this section of the UP RR, all from Omaha NE. Ain't technology wonderfull.



Ken Lenger

 

[KatDiesel]

I'll tell'em to give ya a good toot when they go by



Thats a coal load.

 

[illflem]

The 17 mile Gleenwood Canyon section of Interstate 70 was featured on the Discovery Channel last week. It ranked right up with the Hoover Dam and Empire State Building in being one of the top engineering achievements in the US. It was also the last section of Interstate Highway to be completed in the system due to it's difficulty.

 

[BarryG]

I can remember going through the canyon many times before they fixed it. It was one awesome stretch of road. At the time you had interstate before and after the canyon, it was like the canyon stood in defiance. When they were building it it sure was a pain in the a to get through 30-60 minute waits were not uncommom at all. I can remember thinking that they were going to really screw up the canyon and the river but I have to say they did a pretty good job. Seems like it took them well over 5 years to do that 15 mile stretch. A few years ago the wife and I were coming back from Utah to Denver and were going through the canyon when several emergency vehicles passed us like we were sitting still. We wondered what was happening, a few miles later we saw them on the other side which was elevated (couldn't see anything but the flashing lights) figured there was an accident. Got home that afternoon was watching the news and they said that a boulder fell down on the road, bounced once and landed on a passing car smashing it flat and killed everyone inside. I beleive last count was ten people have died on that stretch of road from falling rock. Anyway they did a good job and kept that canyon beautiful.

 

[milehiscott]

Berry,

As memory serves, and it may not, when they finnished it they were talking about people who's entire construction career was on that stretch of road. In the 25 (+/-) year range. :--)

I'm with you on the skepticism durring the construction. I hated the waits and thought it would be a mess when they were done.

I'm glad to be wrong about that. It's not just pretty to look at, it's a good drive.

Scott

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Ken,



Very nice pics you took! By the way, any luck on your job situation? I may be in your shoes down the road unless I relocate





Paul

 

[klenger]

MN Cummins Lvr



I have found a job that I start on Monday, April 29. It's as an installation technician at Stevens Aviation in Broomfield CO. It's been almost 7 months. If a position at a more professional level comes along, I will consider that also.



This week's camping trip is sort of my last vacation for a while as I will not accrue any time off for a while. We are at Breckenridge CO, where we got some snow today. Current temp is 43 degrees.



Pics of Breckenridge CO area

 

[DHatfield]

I agree what Gleenwood Canyon, CO is very pretty as I have been through there at least 5 times in the last 5 years, but have never spent much time there as I usually pressed for getting to my four-wheeling destination out west (usually CA or Moab, UT). One of these day I should spend some time and soak in the solitude and senery of the area.

 

[BarryG]

Milehigh:

After I posted I was talking to the wife about the canyon and asked her how long they worked on it she said at least 10 or 15 years so you may very well be right.

 

[milehiscott]

Amazing isn't it?! I was born here in '69 and I can't remember ever going through the canyon with out construction until it was finished. Of course, I might be in need of a memory upgrade.

 

[ftb87]

Hey Paul,



Where might you relocate to? The company I work for is a relocation company (we have many clients) and maybe your company is one of our clients.



Klenger... good to hear you have found a job. Hopefully UAL will bring you back.



Frank

 

[K_Arts]

Originally posted by klenger

I have found a job that I start on Monday, April 29. It's as an installation technician at Stevens Aviation in Broomfield CO. It's been almost 7 months. If a position at a more professional level comes along, I will consider that also.

Ken,



Congrats on the job. I Just sent you a PM... we'll have to get together one day. I literally go to school right across the street from your new job (Westwood College of Aviation Technology).



Kev