Once we wrapped up with Mochi and Kim in Colorado Springs, it was time to begin our trip back east.
Before we could leave Colorado, however, we wanted to make the drive to the summit of Pike’s Peak. Had to check out the view from the top!
Pikes Peak is the most well-known of the “fourteeners” (mountains over 14k ft tall). Of the 96 in the US, 58 are in Colorado! And at 14, 115 ft, Pikes is only the 30th tallest in the state. Wow!
From the entrance gate of “America’s Mountain,” we began our ascent among the switchbacks.
At the top, we donned jackets against the 30-degree temperature change, stepped out of the car and realized catching one’s breath at 14k feet is no easy feat! Once we did so, we could enjoy the breathtaking scenery and the world-famous donuts, made since 1916 with a special recipe to combat the thinner air and less pressure.
For big brother Mike, yes, there are rumors of Big Foot, even way out here. 🙂
(Hoping for donuts, perhaps?)
Hard to top that, right? But we had to move on, so we wrapped up departure day by driving through the mountains and the big gold mining area of Cripple Creek, the largest in Colorado, with more than 23 million ounces recovered from the district since 1890. But no, “we ain’t there to see gold.” We planned to visit another of Thomas Dambo’s trolls. Why, might one ask? Because her name is Rita! Rita the Rock Planter. Having been introduced to the Danish artist’s trolls outside Louisville, Kentucky in May when we visited the Forest Giants at the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, we couldn’t pass up Rita.
The next morning, before hitting the road, we hit the trail to take in more Colorado views.
From Wiki – “The trail was originally the site of a wooden irrigation canal that also supplied water to Cañon City. It was built in the late nineteenth-century… and the city stopped using the canal in 1974.”
We noticed a fascinating thing along the trail. Blown by the almost constant wind, some of the plants are trying to sweep away the mountain!
After our morning walk, we were off on the week’s road trip, during which we checked off three more states: Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas!
We didn’t hustle, and needless to say through the miles of mostly flat cow country and dozens of giant feed lots, we still paused for a few touristy highlights. (It’s what we do. 😉 )
On this leg of the journey east, the goal was to meet up with friends Terry and Lynn. Wherever we’ve been in our travels, we’ve found that Texans are proud of their state, and they are no exception, gladly showing off their piece of paradise.
Thank you, Terry & Lynn, for the warm welcome to Longview and introduction to Ms. Barbara and Shawn. It was a pleasure!
Our Travels 