Colorado Springs

I type this post with the knowledge of the horrendous fires in Black Forest near Colorado Springs which began approximately a week ago and have only now been 100% contained. The fires resulted in the loss of more than 485 homes and killed 2 people. We were in Denver when the fires started on 11 June. We had just returned from our week in New York. We flew back to Denver on 10 June.

Prior to going to New York, we spent a week in Colorado Springs. It was wonderful!!

Our drive to Colorado Springs was fun. After climbing to Monarch Pass we descend into Fremont County, although 'descend' is a bit of a misnomer. We gradually drop elevation to Salida at 7000 ft and then drive through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon and  Royal George Canyon with a river running through  - the Arkansas River. It is the most rafted river in the world, starting at the Continental Divide near Leadville, Colorado and dropping 10,000 feet in the first 125 miles.

We see rafts going down the river and its almost continuous rapids at every turn of the highway.

And after our challenges today what better place to stay the night than at the 'Retro Cool' classic campground - the Starlite - at the Royal Gorge. It is a vintage camper park in every sense of the word! It has shady, level pull-through spaces for those with their own RV but it also has a variety of classic trailers for hire including a 1970's Kencraft - a 26ft aluminium time capsule with lava lamps, shag carpet and bead curtains.



A classic 1973 Winnabago turned into a Tiki Lounge!

It's hard to avoid the retro feel of the place. Pink flamingos, tiki torches and plastic
memorabilia.






The owners are vintage trailer fanatics. Over a number of years they have hunted down old - vintage - trailers and spend their winters doing up the treasures.
They have more than 8 restored vintage trailers available for nightly rental; they are much sought after during the season from May to October.

A future project!

They have some vintage motorbikes on display - Trevor took photos!

We enjoy nosing around! Even the gift shop is full of kitschy 50's paraphernalia.





We are in the high plains. The Sangre De Cristo Mountains out to the southwest provide a scenic boundary to our views, still with snow on the tops of the highest ranges. I walk toward the ranges; another of those 'Forest Gump' moments.

And then we are driving into Colorado Springs and Colorado's most populous county, El Paso County. We have a rental car booked for 12 noon. We are staying at the GoldfieldsCamp RV Park on Hwy 24.

Colorado Springs is the second largest city in Colorado; it is located 65 miles south of Denver and stands at an elevation of 6,035 ft. It is situated at the base of one of the most famous American mountains, Pike's Peak on the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains.

Pike's Peak

As soon as we pick up the car we drive to Manitou Springs to book seats on the COG railway. Manitou Springs, just a few miles up the highway, is one of Colorado's premier National Historic Districts. It was founded for its scenic setting and natural mineral springs to be a scenic health resort.





It has a population of approximately 5000 which swells considerably in the summer season. It is a pretty town.

We find a bar at a Mexican restaurant called The Loop. Trevor has a mexican beer and I have a margarita. They also serve bottomless corn chips and salsa. It was fun.

The train trip to Pike's Peak was truly great!
We were up early. We had to be at the Manitou Springs Depot by 7.20am for the 8am train. We are all set for cooler weather but nothing prepares us for the dramatic change in temperature we experience at the top of Pike's Peak.

I guess that at an elevation of 14,115 ft it is going to be cold. It is 32F with a wind chill temp. of 17F!

The train is full and we were lucky to get seats when we booked. The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway is the world's highest Cog railroad reaching 14,115 ft;  it climbs as much as 25 ft for every 100 ft travelled- a grade of 25% - and has the largest elevation gain of just over 7,500 ft. The round trip takes about 3hours and ten minutes. We spend half an hour at the top.

The view from the top of Pike's Peak is spectacular. In the late 1800's it inspired Katherine Lee Bates, an English teacher from Massachusetts to write the words of  'America the Beautiful'.

You can see 4 states on a clear day.

We buy donuts and hot chocolate. We both experience some difficulty breathing and light headedness which we are warned about on the way up. I think we are only a couple of thousand feet lower than Base Camp at Mt Everest!!

We could have taken the Pike's Peak Highway and driven to the top but the Cog railway had been recommended to us as a 'must do'. It is great to both be able to look out of the window as we climb up the mountain. We also have a narration along the way and learn of the history of the railroad and the area generally.
Incredibly the train has been running for well over 100 years.

Lunch in Manitou Springs completes a great morning.

Tiny hummingbirds at their feeder!

Our RV park is within easy walking distance from Old Colorado City where 'Territory Days' are in progress. Held every Memorial Day weekend in historic Old Colorado City, Territory Days began in 1975. It commemorates Old Colorado City as the first capitol of the Colorado Territory in 1861.

It has grown over the years from a small neighbourhood craft fair to a 3 day street festival which hosts upward of 180 booths and is attended by at least 150,000 visitors.
There are lots and lots of people all having fun while they wander from booth to booth.
We spend some time watching a band  called 'Brulee', one of the top-selling and award winning Native American adult/rock music groups in the country.

They are accompanied by traditional American Indian dancers; even a guy on horseback!!


Trevor introduces himself to Paul, the founder and producer of the group. Our friend Ron had told us about Brulee. They also perform in the Black Hills and will be doing so this summer. They have a great sound. We look forward to seeing them again.  We buy a couple of their CD"s.






This is the 38th annual Territory Days. There is a definite 'Old West'  flavour with wild west gunfight re-enactments, live blacksmithing, period costume characters, pony rides and gold panning.

A favorite anywhere!

We also visit the Garden of the Gods, a National Natural Landmark and public park. Entrance to the park is free which accords with the wishes of Charles Elliot Perkins whose children donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs in 1909. It is a popular place for hiking, rock climbing, road and mountain biking and horseback riding and attracts more than 2 million visitors a year.

Pike's Peak framed by rock formations.

The park covers 1350 acres with many red sandstone rocks sculpted into unusual and steep formations, one of the most popular being a large balancing rock known as ... Balanced Rock!!

The name of the park comes from the impressive rock formations - a fit place for the gods to assemble - thus Garden of the Gods.

The Trading Post and Visitors Centre are both worth a visit.
Art galleries and gift shops abound but there are also many interesting displays and exhibits on the area's geology, ecology and cultural history.






While we still have the rental car we visit Seven Falls along the South Cheyenne Canyon; a 181 waterfall cascading down 7 distinct steps. An 'internal' mountain elevator takes us up to a great view.














Memorial Day  is 27 May - a day of 'National Mourning' - a sacred day to all war veterans.  "Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance".
Trevor attends a Memorial Day Service; nothing like our Anzac Day - poorly attended especially by young people.

 I spend the morning at Macy's!!

We stay in Colorado Springs for several days - they are easy and enjoyable days. I do quite a bit of walking. The streets around Old Colorado City are great for walking. Its always nice to feel a bit like a local when we stay a little longer. We have a meal at a local pub; find nice coffee.