More Colorado Springs

Thursday 3rd September 2009...

Breakfasted again on the sunny terrace of the hotel restaurant, before collecting Jim and trusty sat nav to set off for a day's sightseeing in Manitou Springs area...first port of call was the magnificent Garden of the Gods with it's awe-enspiring red rock formations (see pic above)...stopped off at ubiquitous "Trading Post" for tacky (or in this case, not so tacky) souvenirs and food for Jim and Jon...experienced torrential downpour of rain which cleared up almost as soon as it arrived...finished tour of the Garden and then drove on into Manitou Springs, a very unusual town, filled with old world buildings nestling with new age shops selling all kinds of wares...it seems to be the place in Colorado for the boho/hippie generations...

Arrived at Pike's Peak Cog Railway half an hour before journey...collected tickets and plenty of water, visited the loo in preparation for the hour plus journey up 14,115 feet of mountain...journey began at 1.20 pm and as the little cog train climbed up the steep slope we were treated to some of the most amazing views of Colorado Springs and beyond...

We reached the summit to be greeted by SNOW!!...yes, it was that cold up there - only a small amount falling - more like icy rain, but it was still snow...all three of us struggled in the thin air and experienced a small touch of altitude "high"...one of the most disconcerting and peculiar feelings ever...stayed around for about 40 minutes to purchase donuts (Jon) fridge magnets (Carol) and take pictures of the magnificent view (Jim)...Jim managed a brief word on the mobile phone with Pat and we were informed by the female train conductor that the temp was 40 deg...

We arrived back down the base of the mountain at around 4.30 pm and, still feeling a little queasy with headaches, we drove back to the hotel to rest up for an hour or two before eating at the excellent Dinner Buffet again...Italian Buffet this time and very good seafood lasagne and veal scallopine to name but two dishes...back to the room and all in bed and asleep by 9 pm!!!...yes it was that tiring a day...