topic Re: Modern Technology in Community Chat

Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:51:12 GMT

The Good Old Days

Modern Times

Do you see a huge improvement? This is US 550, the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado.

I'm terrified of heights but I've driven this toad several times. I just keep my eyes on the road and try not to gwak at the scenery. Not a single piece of guardrail on the whole route.

There are places where you can pull over and see a couple of wrecked cars far below.

Re: Modern Technology

PA Mom-mom — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:58:55 GMT

@Kachina624

NO! Not happening for me.

Re: Modern Technology

kaydee50 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:02:20 GMT

We've driven a number of similar roads to this but when we were a lot younger. Would not even think of doing it now. The pioneers were a brave bunch. DH and I often remark-- how did they ever do it???

Re: Modern Technology

On It — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:11:39 GMT

I am afraid of heights. This road is a nightmare. I will pass.

Re: Modern Technology

KathyM23 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:36:33 GMT

I would only do it if there were guardrails. Other than that - a big NO

Re: Modern Technology

Marp — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:39:46 GMT

I might try it if it were one way so I could hug the rock wall.

Re: Modern Technology

LdyBugz — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:40:50 GMT

No thank you. It's a pass for me. I do not see ANY improvement! It's still terrifying! I don't know how you could drive on that thing.

I've gone up to Pike's Peak a couple of times with co-workers when we traveled to the area for work. I was petrified! No guard rails there either. There are spots where the edge of the road is like an inch away from the edge of the cliff! Geez! The locals told us that a few people every year meet their demise on that road. 😬

Re: Modern Technology

Malcontent — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:42:53 GMT

@Kachina624

The Strada delle 52 Gallerie in Italia is pretty scary too. I highly do NOT recommend ever going there. Unless, of course, you have a death wish.

Re: Modern Technology

Mersha — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:48:35 GMT

Wow....I thought the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was bad.

God bless the fortitude of our ancestors!

Re: Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:53:35 GMT

@Mersha. ...and those who succeeded them.

Re: Modern Technology

PhilaLady1 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:59:53 GMT

If the horses and oxen could speak, I think that they would agree to say that modern transportation is a definite improvement.

Re: Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:59:10 GMT

@LdyBugz wrote:
No thank you. It's a pass for me. I do not see ANY improvement! It's still terrifying! I don't know how you could drive on that thing.

I've gone up to Pike's Peak a couple of times with co-workers when we traveled to the area for work. I was petrified! No guard rails there either. There are spots where the edge of the road is like an inch away from the edge of the cliff! Geez! The locals told us that a few people every year meet their demise on that road. 😬

@LdyBugz. Colorado guardrail budget is about $10/yr. They think guardrails are for sissies.

At least it's paved now. The first time I went over it as a child, it was gravel. I made that trip on the floorboard of the car.

Re: Modern Technology

dancingwoman — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 22:09:59 GMT

@Kachina624 We drive this road a couple times a year to go to Ouray for lunch...DW...

Re: Modern Technology

Malcontent — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 22:16:33 GMT

@dancingwoman

You are one brave woman.

Re: Modern Technology

LdyBugz — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:32:09 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@LdyBugz wrote:
No thank you. It's a pass for me. I do not see ANY improvement! It's still terrifying! I don't know how you could drive on that thing.

I've gone up to Pike's Peak a couple of times with co-workers when we traveled to the area for work. I was petrified! No guard rails there either. There are spots where the edge of the road is like an inch away from the edge of the cliff! Geez! The locals told us that a few people every year meet their demise on that road. 😬
@LdyBugz. Colorado guardrail budget is about $10/yr. They think guardrails are for sissies.

At least it's paved now. The first time I went over it as a child, it was gravel. I made that trip on the floorboard of the car.

I fully admit to being a sissy when it comes to those roads. I was almost on the floorboard as an adult! Maybe they can have bake sales to help pay for more guard rails.

All kidding aside, it's amazing what our forefathers had to endure. We are so lucky to have all the things we take for granted. BTW, when I was brave enough to look, the views and scenery there was just spectacular!

Re: Modern Technology

Sassycoco — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 01:18:05 GMT

@Kachina624

Absolutely see a huge difference !
I'm terrified of heights....as well 😅
I would be a complete wreck ! You're brave 👏.....I would have a.lot of frustrated driver's behind me ! 😆

Re: Modern Technology

Venezia — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 01:52:00 GMT

@Kachina624 - Several years ago, one of my English friends came over for a visit.

She loves trains, so we planned a trip to Colorado to go on the Durango-Silverton, Pike's Peak, the Royal Gorge and (my favorite) the Cumbres & Toltec.

We flew into Denver, where we picked up a rental car, and set off to Durango. I wanted coffee before I knew what would be a long drive, so stopped at the only little mom & pop store I found outside of Denver. We weren't too far into the "mountain drive" then. The elderly lady looked concerned and said to me "you be careful" and I thought I'm an experienced driver (my friend doesn't drive) so I'd be fine and just smiled.

Well, I am also afraid of heights. And I had never driven over anything remotely like the Rockies. Yep, no guardrails. I kept my eyes straight on the road for the approximate 6 - 7 hour drive, but my friend who could see everything, kept saying "Oh, dear God!" and kept looking over the edge. (Helpful)

And, of course, I had to make the return journey because we were flying back out of Denver. That day I made the mistake of looking ahead and up at the mountain to see what looked like an ant. Turned out it was a tractor-trailer.

I asked about the lack of guardrails and was told it's because the plows wouldn't be able to clear the snow from the roads in winter. Makes sense to me (as I plow my own drive and yard).

Fun memories.

Re: Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 02:19:41 GMT

@Venezia. I bet you two had a good time regardless of the trauma. There are definitely techniques to be learned for driving on steep, narrow roads. The jeep road are even more fun; unpaved, one lane and often called "shelf roads" because that's what they are. They can be hairy.

The Durango & Silverton RR follows the same route as the pictured US 550, but you may know that.

Re: Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 02:33:49 GMT

@dancingwoman wrote:
@Kachina624 We drive this road a couple times a year to go to Ouray for lunch...DW...

@dancingwoman. I'm not surprised as its practically right outside your front door.

Have you noticed if the "Made in Colorado" shop is still open in Ouray? They had so many nice gift items. I bought quite a bit there and at the one in Pagosa Springs.

Re: Modern Technology

Kachina624 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 02:41:40 GMT

Here's a different perspective on that highway. It's not all scary but is breathtakingly beautiful.