Day 3

Manitou Springs

The first destination on our trip across the country was the beautiful Rocky Mountain Town of Manitou Springs, Colorado. We stayed in a very comfortable Bed & Breakfast with a gorgeous view. The first set of pictures detail some of the exciting wild life and the mountainside that was to be our first of many breathtaking views on our trip.

The view from the bed and breakfast was fabulous and peaceful. The surronding moutains and trees seemed to be very comforting and soothing.	The moon is clearly visible in the early morning sky. A rare sight that was very inspiring.

Garden of the Gods

We then begin our first day of sight seeing in a beautiful park called the Garden of the Gods. The sights and impressions of the huge rock formations convinced us that we really are small. Some brave souls even attempted to scale the frightening heights that the rocks achieved.

Here my cousin Bryan and I stake out a spot in one the small cracks in a rock in the Garden of Gods.	We took a hike around the park and ended up looking down on structures from a few hundred feet up.
The cracks and crevices provide a nice path to climb the rocks, or so my cousin says.	Balance rock named as such because it seems to be only supported by a very small portion of rock has been a tourist destination for almost 150 years. Needless to say the rock is pretty big, as you can just barely see my cousin and I in this shot.

Pike's Peak

Our last stop in Colorado was at Pike's Peak. Pike's Peak is one of the "14ers" because it stands over 14000ft about sea level. (14,110 ft. to be exact :-) Of the more than 50 mountains in Colorado that can claim to be 14ers this is one of the most easily accessible by mortals as Cog Railroad takes tourists up to see the stunning visuals. BTW- When we began the Train ride at about 9000 ft. it was a nice sunny Summer afternoon, but when we reached the top of the mountain it was actually snowing! :-)

The Moutains do an excellent job of framing the valley below. The distances that can be seen from these heights are hard to fathom.	It is amazing how much the wind picks up and the landscape changes after we break the tree line. Very few things can survive at these heights.
I am not exactly sure what animal these are, but we found them above the tree line. Their horns were impressive enough in themselves to warrant a picture.	My cousin and I smile for the camera and ignore Dad's suggestions to just back up a few more steps. :-)
Wow, could imagine the fun of a roller coaster streaming down these tracks. The view alone would be worth it! :-)	A little guy who likes to hang out above the tree line and on the railroad tracks thankfully moves out of the way so that we can go back down to the bottom.