Garden of the Gods & Pike's Peak!

As planned, the next morning, we began our adventures in Garden of the Gods. It was beautiful, tho again, there was a bit of disenchantment. Now, maybe it is because we are adults and actually see the reality now, or maybe 25 years has really changed it that much...but the Garden wasn't the same. Much more detached now...the roads are more like a driving tour, instead of allowing people to really get up close to these amazing rock formations. I mean, really, Balanced Rock is supported with cement??? Come on!
But that said, these rock formations remain a beautiful, stunning site...and will always remain one of my most treasured memories of Colorado.

After our exploration of the Garden and the requiste tourist shops. We bid Nolan & Bonnie goodbye, and prayed for their safe trip home to Texas...and we turned our sight to Pike's Peak.

Now, there are two basic ways to get up the mountain (unless you like a REALLY, LONG walk!)...you drive or you ride. Since, by this time, I was sick of driving, we decided that it was worth the cash to ride the Pike's Peak Cog Railway up to the top. And I am so glad that we did! It was beautiful!
Patrick was able to be on TOP of a mountain for the first time...and we was so nice to be able to relax and really enjoy the ride up and down. Granted, I had forgotten how cold it is at 14K feet...and next time, we'll have appropriate jackets. ...AND I having never HAD asthma, I had NO idea how much this elevation would effect my hunny's breathing...so next time, the inhaler is in my bag too!

But overall, we had a wonderful trip to Colorado Springs. We didn't get to see the bighorn sheep at Navigator's Glen Eyrie, or Woodland Park, Monument, or really get to explore Manitou Springs, but that is hopefully for next time!

The Continental Divide, Royal Gorge & Colorado Springs

The next morning, we met up with Nolan and Bonnie again, for breakfast. Then it was off on US 50 to Canon City! The drive was a more difficult one for me, but I think it was mostly because I was just tired of driving! :)

That afternoon, we arrived in Canon City, and ate lunch at Burger King. Then we drove just a few miles out of town to briefly explore the Royal Gorge. The Gorge, as usual, was really amazing...but I was a bit disappointed in all the changes from my childhood...no driving over the bridge, no hand-feeding the deer, etc. But overall, it was still a really enjoyable daytrip. We took the rail down into the gorge, and then walked partway across. I was so proud of Hunny! He was very hesitant to walk onto the bridge, as he is nervous about heights, and the Bridge is nothing if it ain't high! But we walked about halfway, and then back...yay us!

Then it was on to Colorado Springs...and my mountain, Pike's Peak! I can only say that the Springs have exploded in size in the last 20 years! Now, you may read this and think, Of course it has! But I wasn't expecting the HUGE difference. As we were driving in, we were entering the suburbs, and then further into town, I noticed an exit for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo...and suddenly realized that I was much further from my destination on Garden of the Gods Road, than I expected!

That night, we stayed in a motel, and planned to meet Nolan & Bonnie the next morning to explore The Garden of the Gods!

Silverton, Ouray & Telluride

The next morning, a quick call to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway confirmed my suspicion...the train was not climbing all the way to Silverton. Completely disappointed, I proposed that if we could not ride to Silverton, that nothing could stop us from driving...

This time, we drove in two vehicles, as the cramped conditions from the day before were quite uncomfortable for these of us in the backseat!

The drive to Silverton was beautiful...though the decidious trees had yet to leaf, the scenery was stunning!

Once in Silverton, we walked downtown exploring the shops. Though most were closed, as the season was not officially open, we did have a small handful available to examine. We lunched at a delightful little cafe named The Pickle Barrel. If you are ever in the area, it would be a definite recommendation!


After lunch, we were off to Ouray, over Red Mountain Pass...

Nolan and I were both filled with amazement as we drove The Million Dollar Road between Silverton and Ouray. We had many scattered memories from our childhood regarding this drive, but honestly, we each thought that our own memories were exagerrated. They were not! Truly, the majesty of this pass and these mountains cannot be expressed with simple words. It must be experienced, there is no other way...words are simply inadequate.

Quietly, I had hoped to rediscover the falls in the Ouray area, particularly Box Canyon Falls, but it had been closed the previous day when a tourist had nearly been lost to the gorge after slipping on a patch of ice. So, we headed out to see the lower falls of Cascade Falls, which was an easy hike. It was there, that I discovered that Bonnie loved rocks! Amusingly, my brother must truly be in love...why else would he haul a 40-pound rock down a steep hill?

As our time at Ouray ended, the four of us discussed our next plan...both couples were planning a drive to Colorado Springs the next day to view Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods before heading to our homes. So, it was decided that we would drive together. Nolan and Bonnie would return to Durango to arrange the checkout of the hotel, and Patrick and I would drive to Telluride tonight, with plans to meet the next morning to proceed to Colorado Springs.

The drive to Telluride was beautiful...the Dallas Divide was fantastic, especially in the light of the westering sun. But Telluride was a bit disappointing. Maybe it was all the hype, maybe just the scenic overload from the previous drive to Silverton and Ouray, or maybe I was just tired...but Telluride was pretty, and had some big mountains...but nothing to particularly set it apart. So, we drove in, we drove out...

Night found us in Montrose...with plans to sleep in!

Mesa Verde

Who cares if we were half a day late on our planned arrival to Colorado...we were finally here, weren't we?

After an early lunch, the four of us piled into the Honda and went to discover Mesa Verde! Hunny had expressed great interest in visiting the "Indian houses" and as it had been years since my last sight of them, there was an undercurrent of excitement.


Nolan was driving, and we discovered that Bonnie was definitely afraid of heights, and we all had a grand time teasing each other on the ascent to the Mesa.


On arrival to the Vistor's Center, we determined to view the Spruce Tree House, as this was a self-guided walking tour. On the way back to the car, all of us were surprised by the effect of elevation...we were huffing-n-puffing like steam engines! That was one thing that I really do not remember at all as a child!

Spruce Tree House was an enjoyable walk, down a meandering path to the dwelling, where we were able to observe these ancient homes. As we began our walk back to the museum, the climb up was significantly more intense than the walk down...thanks again to the elevation! Needlesstosay, we were all ready for a break, so we found ourselves in the cafeteria, feeding Bonnie. :P

See, given that Bonnie is pregnant, Nolan feels that it is his responsibility to make sure that she eats enough...so we all use the excuse to snack! :P

Within the gift shop, as we were unable to find any soveneir spoons, we bought a simple tree ornament. Ever since Patrick and I were married, we've been collecting spoons from the locations were we have traveled, and we are very excited about continuing our collection over the years...so to not have a spoon from a location which we had both so highly anticipated, was quite disappointing to me.

Well, all the eating, drinking, and purchasing were completed...the choice was to continue with a driving tour of the Mesa, or to return to Durango. Given the time, and the early rising, AND the cramped conditions of the Honda, we decided to return to Durango for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Colorful Colorado!

So, early Monday morning, my brother, Nolan, and his wife, Bonnie took off for Durango, Colorado...so that the reservations that had been made, would not be lost.

After consideration of tires, miles and money...it was determined to replace all six tires as to hopefully prevent any further breakdown. So, it was with a bank account somewhat depleted, that Maebh was finally on her way to Colorado...at nearly noon!

Needlesstosay, our drive that day was tiring and dull...in no part boosted by our travels through the landscape of the Texas panhandle and eastern New Mexico. Finally, at around 10pm mst, we had to call it quits. Again, we wally-docked, this time in Santa Fe, and I am so glad that we did!

The next morning, we were up bright and early, and driving toward Pagosa Springs, and eventually Durango. The vistas that morning were spectacular! Truly, I feel it would have been a sin to have driven through it in the dark! It was glorious!

On arrival to Durango, we found Nolan and Bonnie happily awaiting our arrival, and we were off!

San Antonio

The drive to San Antonio was uneventful, and comfortable. Though it took us quite awhie to actually find Admiralty RV, when we did, they were gracious and welcoming to these self-confessed beginners. Oh, learning point, don't trust MAPQUEST...it's is commonly WRONG! Plus, start saving for new GPS system for Maebh! :P

In San Antonio, we rented a car to allow me to more easily travel to and from my conference site downtown. Maebh stayed plugged in at Admiralty RV and was a delightful place to stay!

Again, Kim was fielding calls...though Hunny nearly gave them both a heartattack when we thought that we had plugged into 50amps, rather than the appropriate 30amps. Thankfully, we had used the correct plug, though we didn't have the correct breaker on!

Admiralty RV was a wonderful camp. They had very comfortable sites, and we especially enjoyed the dog run available for Twila and Starla, who got to scamper around and explore off-lead several times during our stay. Hunny and I did not avail ourselves of the swimming pool or hottub this trip, but hopefully next time we won't be quite so busy!

On Sunday, my conference ended at approximately noon, and we were off...back to San Angelo, to join Nolan and Bonnie for our planned excursion to Colorado! Or so we thought...

Just outside of Menard, Texas, there was a thunderous crashing sound, and then silence. Pulling over, we looked around, but could find no abnormalities...so we started off again. This time, as we reached approximately 40mph, Maebh began vibrating violently, so again we pulled over and carefully examined the visible portion of the vehicle, only to find that we had experienced a blow-out, and the remaining tire on the right rear had notably cracked sidewalls from apparent dryrot. We had known that the tires would likely need to be replaced soon, when we purchased Maebh back in January, but we had wistfully hoped that they would hold until we returned to Wisconsin...they apparently had not.

We limped back into Menard, and as we did not have any cell phone reception in the area, the only means of calling for assistance was a payphone, in the bazing hot afternoon sun. So, we called Good Sam RV Roadside Assistance, who graciously assisted us, though we ultimately decided to forgo further assistance and limped into San Angelo, driving those last 100 miles or so, at 35mph.

Roundtrip to San Antonio and back to San Angelo...425 miles, though this doesn't even come close to the actual miles driven in San Antonio, due to detours and delays because of construction...don't even get me started... :P

San Angelo

It was a joy to see my parents again...and to finally meet my brother's wife, Bonnie! I had my first chance to meet Ryan, my cousin's son...he is such a sweetheart! Plus, a borrowed book, The Elves of Cintra, made its way into my temporary libary for the trip...thanks Julie!

We spent two wonderful days in San Angelo, visiting with family; then it was off to San Antonio. Though I must again add, Kim graciously fielded other questions from this newblet RV'er...and we rediscovered the proper switch for the water heater! (hehe, yes, I know that Ed covered this stuff when we picked up Maebh in January...but that was a LONG time ago...!)