Friday Field Trip
Today, we are just going to make a quick run south of Denver to Colorado Springs to visit The Garden of the Gods. Just get on I-25 and head south. You will be an exit sign for the garden fairly soon after you get past the Air Force Academy. From Denver, it's about an hours drive
The Garden of the Gods (GOG) is a series of red rock formations made mainly of sandstone. Over the centuries , the wind, rain and snow have eroded the rock into fantastic shapes that are worth a trip by themselves. There is a visitors center that explain the geology of the area for the academics among you (and those that need a bathroom or Coke). Technical climbing is allowed in some areas but don't forget to register.
It only takes about 20 minutes to drive through the park if you don't stop but stop. Look around. Listen to the echo of an eagles scream and the whisper of the wind. Laugh at the three-striped chipmunks that will run right up your leg looking for a treat. This ground was sacred to the Anasazi Indians, whose cliff dwellings are preserved a short distance west. Let it be sacred to you, too. Enjoy.
10 comments:
Wow Dave, Great trip. I was born in Denver but I had never heard of the Garden of the Gods. (we moved when I was one). What a great place! I just did an internet search on it, and it is now on the future-vaction-site list. I'll make sure to get you added to the FFT blogroll.
Beautiful
One of the nice things about it is that it is free. No admission charge. In a state where most tourist stuff is outrageously priced, that's very refreshing.
Great pic, Dave. Sounds like a wonderful outing for your family.
It is a nice place for a picnic when it's not too crowded.
breathtaking!
looks really cool
i was stationed in cheyenne for a year, flew to the af academy with the helicopter squadron i was with but never really traveled south of denver, it looks alot different then the northern part of the state. i've driven through estes park and from what i can remember that is more rocky mountainy than this
Estes Park is definitely more Rocky Mountain, being the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and will be a destination for a future field trip.
hubby and I say we are going to save all this money and rent a whinnie for 3 weeks with the kids when they are old enough and take them cross country to see all that beautiful wilderness.
Just a recommendation - don't get a huge motorhome. In Colorado at least, much of your driving will on two land mountain roads that are pretty twisty if you want to see the real back country. Drop me an e-mail if you like and I can make some suggestions for destinations here.
Post a Comment