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!