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!