I'd been itching for
a chance to cross this "mile high swinging bridge" since
seeing a brochure for it in December, 2001. With temps in the 20's
and 50 mph winds at the time, I didn't get the chance to scratch
it then.
But here
I am at last - not one of the 30% of women and 12.7% of men
too chicken to cross once they got to the bridge.
On the
other side you can climb on the boulders for a bird's eye view of
the incredible scenery. I was too chicken for that since
I had left my walking stick behind thinking I wouldn't need it here.
I went out a little ways, but my footing was too unsure to go out
far.
Here's
a panorama shot showing the entire bridge and the upper visitors
center. It takes climbing 50 steps to get to the foot of the bridge,
so if you can't do that, you can still enjoy the views from the
parking lot pictured here to the far left.
The grand
mountain is not the only attraction here. You can get an up-close
glimpse of the animals in large habitats for fun visits with black
bears, river otters, cougars, eagles and deer.
Mom
feeding Dakota-da-black-bear - a real show stopper here!
Will
growl for food!
Only
kidding - if I be nice will you feed me?
Is
it dinnertime yet???
Don't
look at me, kitty - I'm a protected species!
