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Colorado

Pike’s Peak, Air Force Academy, and Garden of the Gods

Today’s adventures began with a cog railway ride up Pike’s Peak. The 8.9 miles of track to the top take over an hour each direction to travel. The ride is narrated on the way up, so the hour flies by. The trip down seemed to take forever. The view from the top was okay, but there was some precipitation in the area that eventually turned into snow flurries on the top of the mountain. It was also 35 degrees at the top. Too cold for me.

Pike's Peak View The family at a sign on top of Pike's Peak

After Pike’s Peak, we headed into Colorado Springs to visit the Air Force Academy’s beautiful chapel. The main (protestant) chapel is incredibly symbolic to the air force and great to look out inside and out.

Altar area in the USAFA Protestant Chapel USAFA Protestant Chapel interior USAFA exterior close up

Later, we went to the Garden of the Gods. This rock formation is owned by the city of Colorado Springs and open for free to the public. We drove and walked through the formations, enjoying the contrast of the mostly red rocks against the green vegetation.

Family at Garden of the Gods Garden of the Gods

Tomorrow, we may pick up horseback riding or hiking in the morning before heading to our last stop in Denver. We’re going to try to hit the Celestial Seasonings tea tour and possibly pan for gold tomorrow.