Pikes Peak

This morning we took the Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak (elevation: 14,110)! The train has a cog wheel to pull it on the track rather than just the t-rails because it is a steeper incline than a usual train can take - at the steepest point a 25% incline (go up 1 foot for every 4 feet traveled). We saw amazing views on the way to the top, including the view that inspired the woman to write "America the Beautiful" in 1893. At the top, we could see in all directions and could see mountains in other states -- we could see Colorado and four other states (Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming). It was windy and cold at the top! We took pictures and enjoyed the view, then went inside to warm up. on the way back down they said the temperature at the top was 32 degrees, and colder with the wind chill! I put on gloves that I had in my jacket :)

On the way back down we saw wildlife - yellow-bellied marmots and a small group of young big horn sheep.

Afterwards we walked around downtown Manitou Springs and grabbed a bite to eat. There are natural soda springs in the town that you can drink from, I tasted it in two places, but didn't really like it.

We drove through Garden of the Gods, and looked at the amazing rock formations. Kevin got to do a little more off-roading on an unpaved road going up above the park. We were able to see great views of the rock formations and of Pikes Peak - how high we were earlier!

We stopped at Patsy's in downtown Manitou Springs for ice cream, and went to a local bar to have a drink to cap off our wonderful vacation. We'll head back to Houston tomorrow. Its been a great vacation, but we're both ready to go back home and sleep in our own bed and see Smokey. We're not ready to go back to work, but who ever is?