Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! 
Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to 
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2008
- Messages
- 3,956
- Reaction score
- 5,350
- Location
- Bryan, TX
- First Name
- Dennie
- Last Name
- Spears
A few more from Ophir pass then the trip home.
Our lunch table beside a beautiful stream.
Our beautiful stream is joined by a not so beautiful stream
Dandilions were imported by 1800's miners as a source of wild growing edible greens. They took off and have crowded some more desireable species. They do add a special flavor to a salad.
The city of Gunnison has a yearly carving contest. Dead trees are "planted" in the city park and carver get to pick their tree. When the park gets too crowded, the carvings are moved to other areas of town. Here are some of the park carvings, also our lunch spot.
Totem pole type
This carver must have been from the Solomon islands.
One side.
Other side.
Flags and bald eagle are always popular.
Mr Bishop and his dad started the castle in 1969. His dad died in 1971 and Mr Bishop has been working on the castle ever since. It is not finished. Almost nothing about the castle is finished. I saw it about 25 years ago and lots of work has been done but some things that could be finished in a relatively short time are still left undone. There is no admission charge although there is a donation bucket. Nearly all the work has been done by 1 man. He started with an old pickup with a winch in the bed. He now has the original and 2 other old pickups with winches in the bed and a winch to operate the elevator to the 2nd floor. He cuts his own lumber and hauls his own rocks. He does very intricate wrought iron work.
Bishop's castle from the road.
Mr. Bishop likes to make signs.
Mr. Bishop, fine castle builder
His creation as yet unfinished. Comments from me will be kept to a minimum. I think the pictures will speak for themselves. Just remember, like pictures of mountains, these pictures do not do justice to the actual viewing of the castle.
The only blueprint available.
Second floor
He saws his own lumber for floors, scaffolds, etc.
The elevator winch for bringing materials to the second floor. Mr Bishop made the elevator.
What does this symbolize?
My Honey!!!
The ball moves as one walks around. It's a little scary.
Stairway up
You go ahead, I'll come later!
In the ball
Lori in the tall part
No architech or engineer was involved in the castle design.
Looking down from the TOP of the stairs.
I think the fireplace was added as an after thought. The floor boards are burned back to the edge of the pit.
Multiple use grave marker for at least 4 people.
Sawmill
Log tongs???
Our lunch table beside a beautiful stream.
Our beautiful stream is joined by a not so beautiful stream
Dandilions were imported by 1800's miners as a source of wild growing edible greens. They took off and have crowded some more desireable species. They do add a special flavor to a salad.
The city of Gunnison has a yearly carving contest. Dead trees are "planted" in the city park and carver get to pick their tree. When the park gets too crowded, the carvings are moved to other areas of town. Here are some of the park carvings, also our lunch spot.
Totem pole type
This carver must have been from the Solomon islands.
One side.
Other side.
Flags and bald eagle are always popular.
Mr Bishop and his dad started the castle in 1969. His dad died in 1971 and Mr Bishop has been working on the castle ever since. It is not finished. Almost nothing about the castle is finished. I saw it about 25 years ago and lots of work has been done but some things that could be finished in a relatively short time are still left undone. There is no admission charge although there is a donation bucket. Nearly all the work has been done by 1 man. He started with an old pickup with a winch in the bed. He now has the original and 2 other old pickups with winches in the bed and a winch to operate the elevator to the 2nd floor. He cuts his own lumber and hauls his own rocks. He does very intricate wrought iron work.
Bishop's castle from the road.
Mr. Bishop likes to make signs.
Mr. Bishop, fine castle builder
His creation as yet unfinished. Comments from me will be kept to a minimum. I think the pictures will speak for themselves. Just remember, like pictures of mountains, these pictures do not do justice to the actual viewing of the castle.
The only blueprint available.
Second floor
He saws his own lumber for floors, scaffolds, etc.
The elevator winch for bringing materials to the second floor. Mr Bishop made the elevator.
What does this symbolize?
My Honey!!!
The ball moves as one walks around. It's a little scary.
Stairway up
You go ahead, I'll come later!
In the ball
Lori in the tall part
No architech or engineer was involved in the castle design.
Looking down from the TOP of the stairs.
I think the fireplace was added as an after thought. The floor boards are burned back to the edge of the pit.
Multiple use grave marker for at least 4 people.
Sawmill
Log tongs???
Last edited:
). You guy's trip makes me want to get a dual sport. 
