100 Days on the Oddasee road. This is not the death knell and the thin lady (Susan) is not singing. Just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge this remarkable benchmark. The trip of a lifetime continues and though things are starting to wind down, there are still sights and sites to see. Colorado and New Mexico are not in the same league as Kansas or Wisconsin for outsider art. There's no Cockroach Hall of Fame or psychiatry museum. No huge asylum to wander through nor prisons from the 1800's (yes, we are going on the prison tour in Canon City) to creep us out but we remain ever-vigilant on our quest.
Okay Colorado Oddasee folks, it's time for true confessions..... how many of you have seen the "Tower Museum" in Genoa, "Junkrassic Park" in Cheraw or the mother/father of all overachieving visionary created wonders "Bishops Castle" in Wetmore? If you have not visited these local treasures, then you should hang your head in Oddless shame. These places are less than three hours from Denver or the Springs. It's time to stop living vicariously and travel out into another dimension. Sheeesh, must we do everything. Beware though, once you start, you may find yourself on an extended road trip because you'll need to see what's in the next town.
R. has been visiting today's site for well over 25 years. Part of the fun was that he told S. very little about this local wonder and just drove the intrepid Toyota up for a no expectations surprise...... Bishop's Castle. On every visit there is that unavoidable "Wow" factor. The castle is a truly dynamic project because there is always progress and new areas completed. Jim Bishop is a visionary but he is also a world class "doer". To see his creation, it is unfathomable to think that ONE man has done ALL the work. Every rock collected and carried (with an assist from a rusty truck powered Rube Goldberg like winch) to the heights is the work of this homage to zero body fat. He is a bit hunchbacked (appropriate for a castle don't you think.... "walk this way"...) but strong far beyond most gym/health club rats.
Mr. Bishop has had battles with so many governmental entities that it is best to save that info for for another time. He is not a fan of the "system" and VERY WILLING to share his thoughts with anyone (be they interested or not) who visits his world. He loathes insurance companies, bankers and all lawyers. Note the sign about bankers, Democrats and Republicans. The amazing thing is that the castle remains open to the public in spite of all those who want it made unavailable. And, no one has died; go figure.
Keep in mind that this is a master engineer, welder, stone mason and visionary. Jim Bishop works with a passion that even your Oddasee travelers find hard to believe. His castle is covered with vertigo-inducing stairways and scaffolding. The structure has only occasional railings after the second level. The climb to the top is not for those with any fear of having their feet off the ground. Though very stable, the aerie is kind of a karma check. R. could not resist cheating death and simply had to go to the highest point -- see the spire and note that there is a foot platform about 8 feet from the apex. Shooting photos was a bit challenging; especially leaning back and shooting up into the clouds or down to the earthly plain below...... ooh spinny with a tinge of terror.
One sad thing is how many idiots deem it necessary to carve or scratch their names/initials all over the structure. Then there are the fools who choose to leave bottles, cans and trash wherever their lazy asses decide to put them. It makes us very mad and wonder why Jim doesn't just string these pig dicks up between the towers. Disgusting.
Hard to ignore that part of the experience but let's wrap this up on a positive note with our highest recommendation. If you ever have an afternoon available, just head down (the most scenic route but with some dirt road is through Beulah) to HWY 165 and satisfy your own Oddasee spirit. If you have been there, go again, because he continues to keep working and adding to his remarkable castle. Awesome is not a strong enough word to describe the Castle or the man.
Note:
In photo #19 if you look very close, just below dead (ooh bad word choice) center you will see a pink dot -- that dot is Susan looking up at R. on the approx. 175 feet/16+stories high platform which is about 12" x 6" wide -- R. was white knuckling anything I could get his hands on. Yikes!
Love of stone, concrete, steel and respect for labor beyond compare,
Sir Rockney and Lady Rapunzusan -- grateful for 100 days
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