The Royal Gorge Bridge, A Crowd Puller Destination of Colorado United States

The Royal Gorge Bridge is a popular tourist attraction near Cañon City, Colorado, within Royal Gorge Bridge & Park 360 acre theme park. The Royal Gorge is a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado and is often called the "Grand Canyon of the Arkansas." The bridge deck crosses the Royal Gorge 955 feet above the Arkansas River, with a width of 40-50 feet at its base, a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of 1,200 feet in places, the 10-mile-long canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of Fremont Peak. From 1929 till 2002, the bridge held the record of highest bridge in the world from 1929 until 2001; the bridge was measured from deck to the river below. In 2003 the record goes to the Liuguanghe Bridge in China, as its height of 1,201 feet; though, the Royal Gorge is still the highest bridge in the United States.

Well, it is a suspension bridge with a main span of 938 feet. The bridge is 1,260 feet long and 18 feet wide, with a wooden walkway with 1292 planks. The bridge is suspended from towers that are 150 feet high. It was formerly among the 10 highest bridges in the world and remains the highest in the USA. The bridge was constructed in 6 months, between June 5, 1929, and late November 1929, at a cost of $350,000. To pay for construction, it was built as a toll bridge, and it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Actually the bridge was not built for transportation purposes; in its place, it was built with the intent that it serve as a huge public puller place and has continued to be one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Colorado since its construction. 

The road is designated as Fremont County Road 3A. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad runs under the bridge along the base of Royal Gorge. The cable-stayed Viaduc de Millau, finished in December 2004, is presently the tallest bridge in the world, at 1,118 feet, measured from the ground to the top of the bridge piers. Though, its deck is only 885 feet above the River Tarn. 

Well, on June 12, 2013, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park was devastated by a wildfire. Luckily the bridge suffered only minimal damage only some wooden deck planks burned; all but four of the park's 52 buildings were destroyed. The Incline Railway was severely damaged and the Aerial Tram was destroyed. Park executives announced on June 13 that the bridge will be repaired and the park re-constructed, but there was no timeline for reopening the bridge and/or park.

Source: Charismatic Planet 

Baatara Gorge Waterfall Lebanon

When Nature displays its manifold wonders in most unbelievable formations throughout on the earth planet. The Lebanon’s Baatara Gorge Waterfall has a unique formation which re-establishes this widely famous truth once again. This scarce waterfall visible during the ice melting months of March and April is actually located in the Balaa village which falls in between the Lebanese cities called Laqlouq and Tannourine. The location of the Baatara Gorge Waterfall is generally popular amongst the local people as the “Three Bridge Chasm”.

In 1952, Baatara Gorge waterfall was first made public by Henri Coffiat, who was a bio-speleologist by profession. He reported the existence of this exotic waterfall which is 255 meters high. Moreover; when the summer seasons beings in, the ice of the Mount Lebanon starts melting. The waterfall location is made all the more remarkable because of the three naturally formed bridges which hang one on top of the other which move inside in to the chasm of Mount Lebanon. 

The Baatara Gorge Waterfall cascades down from three bridges. The hole is famous to be made limestone belonging to the Jurassic age. The stunning waterfall is a great tourist attraction in Lebanon. It is claimed that age of the limestone is identified to be approximately 160 million years. 

Some researchers have also performed dye experiments on the water of the Baatara Gorge Waterfall only in order to show that the water once again come out under sun in another village called Mgharet al-Ghaouaghir which is situated near to the village of Balaa. There was also a suggestion to fix safety equipment’s for folks interested in sports who accessed the region. Though, this suggestion was soon nullified by the authorities as that would ruin the natural beauty of the place.

The geologists say about the creations of this stunning landform, it is understood that the top most bridge of the gorge may have had the earliest presence. Maybe it was following a number of erosions and collapses that the other two bridges may have got formed. The Gorge of the Baatara Gorge Waterfall is still acknowledged to be constant changing because the severity of the winter ice several a times leads to breaking of huge chunks of the pothole from both sides of the wall. 

There’re number of warnings issued to visitors nearing the pothole, and these warnings are there to prevent them from going near to the mouth as it may be slippery and also warn them to access the bridges, because they always bear the risk of collapsing under the body weight of numerous travelers together. Else, the Baatara Gorge Waterfall is a charming destination for adventurous tourists who can also relish the nearby Tannourine Cedar Forest Reserve or the mountain trail of Mount Lebanon. Moreover; there’re camping sites in the region too which can enhance the experience.

World’s Biggest Backyard Swimming Pool in Texas

Did you know the world's biggest backyard swimming pool is in the Houston area? A beautiful small town nearly 70 miles southwest of Houston, is famous for its farming history and immigrant heritage, now is the home to world's largest backyard swimming pool well built in 2009 by Kuykendall Custom Pools Inc. in Conroe, the resort-style pool belongs to Mike Mobley and his family, who have shared the amenity with the community. The swimming pool is having 21-foot water slide, two hot tubs, sunken bar, outdoor kitchen, six waterfalls and 500-foot "lazy river," the $3 million pool is a unique one-day destination, which is built on the site of a two-acre pond. 

The Mobleys' holds 600,000 gallons of water; and they removed some water not to scrimp but to give the lazy river an optional faster speed. Some new, stronger pumps were installed, and the bottom was raised to decrease the load on them. It looks like an oversized community swimming pool; everyone has a good time here. Indeed this is a great place to come relax, kick back. Usually every Sunday we come to BBQ, go swimming. The kids play. The swimming pool was once a pond, and all family members, friends, businessmen, and wedding parties have taken place to relish the huge 600,000 gallon pool water. 

The maintenance of swimming pool is really terrible because of the grass and overgrowth on it. Mobley’s wanted a pool where the whole town could come and take a free dip so he asked pool builder Rick Kuykendall to transform the country pond into a tropical oasis. There’s a rock waterfall built here, along with gumnut tree with a rope on it. The most interesting attraction in the backyard is the 500 foot, adjustable speed lazy river. So are you ready for day out a trip with your friends, family, love ones? It’s a must see place. 

Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park in Ireland

You’d never thought this waterfall was that big looking at pictures of it but once you saw it you’d knew the majestic beauty of Torc Waterfall. In Irish language it is called “Easach Toirc”. The Torc waterfall is situated at the base of Torc Mountain, about 7 miles from Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. The Torc waterfall is one of the landmarks on the motor entrance to Muckross House and can be accessed from a car park on the N71 better known as the Killarney Kenmare road.  The Torc Waterfall is a nice stopping point on the N71 as you drive through Killarney National Park. The walk from the car park is not very far, it'll take three mins tops.

You’ll see that red deer are frequently seen and heard in the area. Due to easy access and parking make the site popular with walkers and tour bus groups who often visit as part of the Ring of Kerry tour. A public hiking trail stretches from the waterfall to the top of Torc Mountain. The Torc Waterfall is best seen after heavy rains when it offers scenic woodland views. The Torc Waterfall is most popular tourist attractions in Ireland, especially busiest place in summer. If you’d like to have better view of lakes then push yourself a little ahead and climb the hundred steps to the left of the waterfall to get some magnificent view of the lakes. The Torc waterfall is approximately 70 to 80 feet high and the Owengarriff River which feeds it rises in “The Devil’s Punchbowl” on nearby Mangerton Mountain. Torc Waterfall is so much gorgeous than it appears, and default place for outstanding photography.

In reality the waterfall offers great view, easy accessible options for visitors to discover the true beauty of nature in Ireland. Torc Waterfall is one of Killarney's most famous natural tourist attractions and a traditional stopping point for many tourists, as waterfall is cascading from the misty heights of Torc mountain, and for sure this majestic waterfall is not to be missed.

Source: Charismatic Planet 

Torc Waterfall Killarney from Vacation Killarney on Vimeo.