Post by Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author
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| An evening of murder, mystery and a bit of mayhem aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
On Saturday October 3, 2015 I was on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for an evening Murder Mystery. It is one of the jobs I have, as an actor/casting director for Red Herring Productions. This was the first train show I'd done since the season started on Memorial Day Weekend. During the summer, my other job, that of telling people where to go and how to get there, has me working weekends.
The fun, of course, is in being someone unlike myself. Interacting with people as, in the case tonight, the matriarch of a dysfunctional family. To say was not liked by my family is an understatement. The real fun, once I get past the motion sickness, is the trip through the gorge. From the town of Canon City where the Arkansas river flows along placidly to the narrows of the gorge, under the Royal Gorge Bridge, and out to Parkdale is a scenic bonanza. There is also some fun history that flows along with the Arkansas.
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| Royal Gorge USGS photo. |
When the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was heading up to Leadville in the 1870's, the route they chose was through the Royal Gorge. Unfortunately the Santa Fe Railroad also wanted to use this rounte. The two railroads vied for the right to lay tracks in the gorge. The crews lined up for a shooting war. In Pueblo, where the Santa Fe had headquarters, they imported Bat Masterson to head their crew.
Much has been written in Colorado about this 'war'. For those who wish, here are some links to "The Rest of the Story"
As I traveled the gorge on Saturday, my mind tried to picture those days. In the early part of the year the Arkansas runs high and fast, giving the white water rafters class III to V thrills. In the latter part of the season, the river has slowed down, becoming a peaceful place to fish. I also noticed the wooden pipes, now almost gone, that supplied water to Canon City. Story is that it was built by convict labor, since the territorial prison is located in Canon City. The institution opening its doors in 1874. For more history: http://www.canoncity.com/history-ca%C3%B1-city
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Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author also writes haiku which is posted on the blog:
http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com
 Home for His Heart: http://bitly.com/1Ibnw5U  Cowboy Celebraton: http://bitly.com/1MiguNL |
I keep forgetting about your acting, Doris. I love the name of the company: Red Herring Productions. It's hard to imagine in the world in which we live that there were these confrontations about railway routes across the country. Royal Gorge certainly looks like a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the very best...
Thank you Sarah. I don't so shows often anymore, but when I do, I enjoy it a lot.
DeleteThe 'Train Wars' as we call it, is a history that grows with the telling. But the basic facts remain the same. Movies and books have taken the premis and had fun with it. Throw in the region, the people, including Jay Gould, and you have the makings of great stories.
Thanks for stopping by. I do love sharing the history of my adopted home. Doris
Doris, I didn't realize you were an actress. You are just loaded with so much unique talent. I am impressed. It must be so much fun playacting the part. I'm sure I would have felt queasy too entering that gorge .But it looks gorgeous. I love the history of all the commotion and wars with railroads. I will be looking up the sites you mentioned--thank you. I enjoyed reading Home For His Heart. Of course I enjoy all your talented and interesting stories. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteBeverly, thank you for the compliment on my first novella. It was fun, but daunting when I started.
DeleteThe Gorge is fabulous and the history so fascinating. I hope you enjoy those history stories as much as I do. Doris
Doris, I bet you're killer! Pardon the pun. I'd so love to see one of your shows, and I'd really love to see your Helen Jackson show. I just can't believe you--actor, writer, poet, photographer, all wrapped up in a genuinely nice person. Add in a warped sense of humor and there we have it. Next thing, you'll be dancing to Swan Lake while you're making a movie of your own story. And juggling.
ReplyDeleteJacquie, I'm still giggling at the thought of me in Swan Lake and juggling. As for the rest of what I do, no one told me I couldn't, so why not give it a try. Life is more fun that way, even if you end up tired. (And as a side note, they killed me) Doris
DeleteI love murder mystery theaters / dinners / train rides, and I grew up visiting the Royal Gorge. I didn't know about the train wars, or the wooden water pipes to Canyon. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteConnie, you made my day. The Gorge is such an amazing place. I'm not sure I'd have known about the wooden water pipes if I'd not been on the train. The 'Train Wars' are such a big part of Palmer's story and there was also reference to them in the Masterson biography. But then I have my nose buried in history/biographys all the time. **GRIN** Doris
DeleteHow fun, Doris. I've been to Canon City and loved it, also driven down that gorge several times. At one time hubby and I considered moving to Pueblo. I enjoyed the links to more articles about the area and the time of the railroad wars.
ReplyDeleteYour first picture did not come through by the time I accessed the site. If you could send it to me as a FB instant messenger attachment, I'd love to see it.
Robyn Echols w/a Zina Abbott
Will do Robyn. I'll make myself a note to send it when I get home, or better yet, I'll share it with you on Facebook. It's the one on the train, if I am reading your note correctly.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the links. I also love Pueblo and Canon. Doris
I'm putting this on my to-do list for sure. Sounds wonderful--an episode of Hell on Wheels wouldn't compare!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, thank you. The train ride through the gorge is stunning, and if you go when they are serving gourmet meals, heaven. Add a murder mystery and who knows?
DeleteThe history of the region, including the gorge is so fascinating. I do hope you get the chance to take the ride. Let me know if you're in the area and I'll stop what I'm doing to see you. Doris
Doris,
ReplyDeleteTaking the wine train along the gorge is on my to-do list. It's a breathtaking area, that's for sure.
I hope you enjoy that trip as much as I enjoy mine. Now you will know some of the history you will be seeing, while enjoying some great Abbey wine. Doris
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