Chugging through Colorado

In September 2019, Eileen and I (N17) traveled from one of the lowest points in Colorado, Royal Gorge, to one of the highest, Pikes Peak. Earlier in the year, my wife stated, “I have a conference in Colorado and you should come with me.” Since I really enjoy the mountains, I immediately said, “Yes!” and so began our planning for the trip.

We flew into Denver and rented a car for the drive to Buena Vista, CO where the conference was being held. Because we were arriving in the afternoon, I decided we should stay in Colorado Springs overnight as I didn’t want to drive the mountain passes in the dark as deer don’t wear reflectors! It also gave us a chance to plan for the extra days we would spend there. While we had checked on certain activities, we were pleasantly surprised at the number of other options available for visitors. We were assisted in our planning by Kelly Pascal Gould in Public Relations and Chelsy Offutt with the Colorado Springs Visitors Center. While we only had a few days to visit, both Eileen and I stated we wished we had a week to spend there.

The road from Colorado Springs to Buena Vista took us through mountain passes, over winding mountain roads and then into flat pasture lands, quite a contrast. While we were kind of hoping for a little, we had no snow. It had snowed earlier in some areas and a few spots still existed on the mountain tops but the temperatures hovered between 55-70 degrees, perfect. We were also hoping to see the Aspens in full color, but several factors ruled against it: it was too early in the season and there had been too little rain this year. We had both been there when it was at its peak, with the mountains covered in gold from the leaves, but this time we had to use our imagination (the trees still thought it was summer). The conference was held at a lodge in the middle of a state forest with fishing, boating, camping, and hiking available. We were reminded once we arrived that yes, bears do sometimes come around so be aware of your surroundings.

I was treated to a fishing expedition one morning. I watched several people fly fishing and quickly realized, not my cup of tea! Worm fishing proved the best, we only caught 2 while a kid next to us caught 3 and a man earlier in the morning caught 34! We threw ours back – not enough brown trout to eat!

We walked beside a cold, clear mountain stream, so clean it was being bottled for local sales. Watched as kayakers traversed the lake and hikers headed out on the mountain trails. It was a very peaceful start to the weekend.

Once we moved back into Colorado Springs, the pace quickened. Our first stop, Garden of the Gods. It’s free and can be seen mostly from the car but there are places to park and you can walk up to and around the natural stone “Gods” or take trails through the park, most are gravel. In some places, people even climb up onto the stone edifices but it is discouraged.

A friend we met had been to the Cave of the Winds but did not like it – too many stairs and narrow in places. Another place with a lot of steps is the Seven Falls – beautiful and majestic but there are a total of 224 steps from the base of the falls to the peak. A wheel-chair accessible elevator will take you almost ¾ of the way to the top stopping at the Eagle’s Nest observation platform.

We took the Gray Line tour to Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain, but were initially interested in using the Cog Railway. Unfortunately, it is being rebuilt and won’t be running again for a few more years. We were very happy with the tour as we actually saw more than we would have from the cog line. Also, the driver was funny and kept us entertained the entire trip up and back. There were several stops going up the mountain for pictures and bathroom breaks. OK, now the downside. You’re going up to 14,115 feet. The air is thinner. At the peak, you are only getting 57% of the oxygen you would get at sea level so you breathe harder and deeper to make up for it. If you have a problem, they do have oxygen canisters for sale to help you. A friend had to have one on her visit to Pikes Peak. If you have asthma, be sure and take your inhaler. Next item – There are cliffs with severe drop-offs and a large number of hairpin switchbacks; it is a mountain! You can’t drive and look at the scenery at the same time so a tour is a better option plus at times, the road is crowded. So as they say, “sit back and leave the driving to them.”

We were able to see several of the indigenous animals. A small group of mountain sheep was right beside the road and we also saw a family of marmots sunning on the rocks. The visitors center at the top is also under reconstruction but that didn’t detract from the views. The day before we were there the temperature was in the 30s at the top, but 45 when we were there. While we wore layers and were prepared for colder temperatures, it wasn’t needed. We were also lucky there was no wind as it would feel a lot colder. And then there’s the humidity or lack of it. Very dry conditions up and down the mountain. You need to drink a lot of water, it helps to offset the altitude adjustment.

So, what else to watch for – headaches and vertigo, one from the altitude, the other from the overlooks. Aspirin helps if you get altitude headaches. Just be aware and prepared and you’ll see some of the most fabulous views from America’s peak. We do encourage it.

The next day we transitioned from that highest point to one of the lowest, Royal Gorge. We initially started in the bottom of the gorge with the Royal Gorge train ride. There were several options available for the ride and we worked with Kelly Pascal Gould to make sure we covered the most bases. A 2+ hour ride through the canyon in a domed observation car had us looking straight up the canyon walls.

The train tracks hug the Arkansas River, the 6th longest river in the US. We watched as white water rafters headed downstream, something we wanted to do but ran out of time. After a 12 mile trip up the gorge, we retraced the miles back to the station. More rafters and a Yurt campground along the way. During the trip, we were treated to a gourmet meal in the dining car (reservations required). I had quail and Eileen had the baked salmon as part of their Oktoberfest celebration. We were entertained before the meal by a roving greeter. Dressed in the full Bavarian outfit; lederhosen and hat with a feather! He threatened to return with his accordion and we laughed when he said so. Turned out he was from Australia, his wife was from England, and had never been to Germany. Just as we were finishing the main course and were about to have dessert, Barry is back and this time with his accordion! Turns out the lady across from us was having a birthday and we got to sing to her while Barry played, a lot of fun! Barry entertained us with music the remainder of the trip.

With dessert finished, we headed out to a flat-bed car for a better view of the gorge. On the open-air deck, we got a “snails eye” view of the Royal Gorge Bridge from below. Once we disembarked, we decided we needed to see it up close and personal from the top, so off we go to see the bridge.

After about a 30-minute drive from the train depot, we arrived at the Royal Gorge, also named America’s Bridge. A bridge to nowhere, it was built in 1929 as a tourist attraction and holds the record as the highest suspension bridge in America, 1,200 feet above the river below. Years ago it was open for vehicles, but now only foot traffic. Besides the bridge itself, the area has several other entertainment attractions. Peggy Gair, HR/PR Director, outlined all the activities available for us. With the admission price, you can use the gondolas to traverse the gorge to the west side, America’s longest single-span aerial gondolas. Then you can move down to the Skycoaster – a giant swing that “throws” you out over the gorge at 50 mph! If you have any, I repeat, any, heart problems, not the ride for you. A couple of 20-somethings walked away pale from the experience! But if you want to take another exhilarating ride, a zipline will take you quickly back to the other side. We skipped both and walked back across the bridge. They also offer shuttles with drop-off and pick-up points throughout the park. The bridge is adorned with flags from all 50 states and there is a video presentation outlining the history of the bridge.

With only two days, we only touched on the numerous adventures available in and around Colorado Springs. On a previous visit with friends, Eileen toured Glen Eyrie Castle, an English Tudor-style castle built in 1871 by the founder of Colorado Springs. One of the featured highlights is “High Tea” with assorted, delicious delicacies. Besides the normal English tea, they serve an assortment from around the globe. Beautiful period hats are available for women to don to make it more fun! And, if the tour wears you out, you can also spend the night.

Of course, there’s the U.S. Air Force Academy. Many people visit to see the grounds and especially the cadets chapel/church. Unfortunately, the church is undergoing renovation with an undetermined reopening date. If you visit, stop at the visitors’ center and see what activities are open to the public for that day. Most areas are closed to the public.

If you want to see where several films were made and the seat of our national defense structure during the cold war, visit Cheyenne Mountain. Initially developed as a hardened command and control center deep within the granite mountain during the ’60s, its function has adapted to the ever-changing global and space environment we now live in. It’s presently part of the NORAD system and yes, it also houses the U.S. Space Command.

After all this travel and touring, you may want to sit back and just relax in one of the many hot spring spas in the area. The geological buckle along the Rocky Mountains, think Yellowstone geysers, creates numerous locations where hot springs flow out of the mountains. If you’re a hiker, there are some springs along certain trails. Otherwise, there are numerous public spas to visit.

So plan accordingly and enjoy a Rocky Mountain visit to both the high peaks and low valleys it has to offer.

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