The most unique tourist attraction

Trip Start May 17, 2008
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Trip End Aug 24, 2008


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Flag of United States  , Colorado,
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Today Christine's Aunt Mary & I took a trip up to see Bishop's Castle. Here's the story behind the castle: In 1969 Jim Bishop's family was building a stone cottage on their property in the mountains. Rumor was spreading around the area that they were building a castle, which was not true. After many visitors came to see this "castle" Jim decided that "The people want a castle", and he has spent the last 40 years single-handedly building the castle! It is still a work in progress, but here it is: Wide view of Castle
Wide view of Castle

It is 160 feet tall! Jim is an iron-worker by trade, which explains the extensive and ornate iron work. I went all the way up to the top; here's a view from the top: View from the top
View from the top

It was pretty frightening traveling up the main tower because the majority of the trip up was on a spiral staircase with no railing: Spiral Stairway up the tower
Spiral Stairway up the tower
 It's a good thing Jim knows what he's doing because this structure could be really dangerous if he didn't! He clearly isn't afraid of heights because there are many portions of the upper levels without railings or guards to protect someone from falling. But as the lady in the gift shop says, they have never had an accident.

It was really neat to see the building and see his hard work. In fact, many days he can be seen working on it still. The ride too and from the castle was very scenic as we traveled through the mountains.:
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