May 13, 2009

      Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

Our RV was parked in a park that is right on the way to both these spots. 

First off, Pikes Peak.  We got to the gate a bit early and had to wait about a half hour.  When we get to toll booth we are told that the last mile of the road has not been plowed yet so we can only do first 18 miles of road and will not make it to top. (Only 13,800’ instead of 14,100)  Bummer. We aren’t going to wait around for several weeks while they finish plowing so up we go to see what we can. As with driving in heavy wind this road requires constant driving attention.  The road is wide enough but there is pretty much no shoulder and beyond the no shoulder is a drop of several thousand feet in many places.   Lots of switchbacks and once it starts climbing the road never levels.  Pretty cool engineering actually.  Sue got to do the looking and picture taking.  The view from (near) the summit is awesome.

Don’t know that I would be inspired to write a poem/song but it is something.  Sorry we could not get all the way up but now we have a reason to return and maybe take the cog railway instead.  The trip back down requires as much or more attention.  I just put the Grand Vitara in 4WD Low and pretty much coasted down.  Tried it for a while in 2WD low gear and still had to use brakes a lot.  People in regular cars must do a number on their brakes.

The Garden of the Gods is on the way back to Colorado Springs from Pikes Peak.  Awesome red rock formations that you get very close to (but don’t touch). Great for sightseeing tourists but also a very nice local park for local residents.  Lots of hiking and biking trails.  Another place to return to with more time allotted.  Normally we don’t do gift shops or at least do not spend much time in them.  The Garden of the Gods Gift Shop is different.  It is huge.  But done in rooms and alcoves so it seems like a series of smaller shops.  There is the typical tourist junk but also many areas of very nice things by local and Native American artists.  If you are looking for a type of craft/art it is there and the prices are among the most reasonable we’d seen.

Balanced Rock and tourist

Pikes Peak – we made it to top of the dark spot just right of the summit.

More Garden of the Gods

Both spots in one photo.