Colorado Springs–Pikes Peak

Our Colorado Springs adventure for today was Pikes Peak! I copied this paragraph off a website:               The most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited mountain in the world behind Japan’s Mount Fuji, Pikes Peak forms a stunning backdrop for Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods. At an altitude of 14,115 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is the 31st highest peak out of 54 Colorado peaks. Grab your family and bring your own car to take this 19-mile scenic journey above the clouds! The safe, scenic highway provides you the opportunity to enjoy Pikes Peak Mountain and the Pikes Peak Highway at your leisure. From the gateway at an elevation of 7,400 feet, you’ll encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland of scenic beauty, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds…all along the way to the 14,115 foot summit of America’s most famous mountain.

We had fun with this sign we saw along the way! Notice Chris, I mean Big Foot, back in the bushes!

We stopped at Crystal Creek Reservoir before heading on up the mountain to have a picnic lunch.

We decided to drive straight up to the Summit without stopping since we weren’t sure exactly how long it would take and then on the way back down we could stop at various points to take pictures and explore around. I have to say, the drive definitely made me a little nervous. The road has 156 turns and there were hardly any guardrails to protect your car from just going over the edge. Let’s just say I was very happy when we finally made it to the top!

It was very chilly at the summit, and the oxygen level is only about 60% of that at sea level. So we didn’t hang around too long before jumping back in our cars and starting the trek down the mountain.

Not too far down was this little lookout point, which had the most amazing views. Dan went out and stood on that ledge, and I was pretty much freaking out. It looked so scary! He finally convinced me that it wasn’t as dangerous as it looked, and I finally ventured out to join him for a picture.

Leah hopped out of the car for a couple pictures too.

We stopped at a couple more spots on the way down to let the kids climb around on the rocks and play.

It was quite the adventure, that’s for sure! Fun doing it with the Johnson’s for their first time too. And today was Chris’s birthday to top it off! Fun day.

Colorado Springs–Garden of the Gods

Today we explored the Garden of the Gods! The kids loved running, climbing, and being silly all through the park. It really was beautiful there, and so interesting to see all the different rock formations.

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Springs–The Zoo

We flew into Denver last night and drove down to Colorado Springs to visit the Johnsons!! We are so excited to be here and see their new house and explore Colorado Springs. First item on the agenda – the zoo!

This zoo was awesome. It’s clean and beautiful and has great animal exhibits. It’s built on the side of Cheyenne Mountain, so you kind of make your way up as you wind through the zoo. The giraffe habitat was our favorite part. You could really get up close and personal with the giraffes! 

  

 

     

The zoo had some great views of Colorado Springs!

Taking a little break to play at the playground.

   

  

 

We ended our zoo day with a trip on the Sky Ride!

And then after the zoo, we made a little stop at a nearby waterfall – Helen Hunt Falls.

 

When we got home, we had a BBQ for dinner and Chris and Lisa introduced us to Garlic Toast Burgers. Just use Garlic Toast for a bun . . . . greasy, but delicious! The kids played outside and jumped on the trampoline while we played a little Dominion, and then we watched a movie downstairs in their basement. A pretty great first day in Colorado Springs!