Words could not express the beauty seen in the Garden of the Gods.  The rock formations and colors were unique and awe-inspiring.  There is a two-mile paved walkway meandering through the various rock formations.  Along the pathway, rock climbers scaling the uneven walls of the rocks could be seen, not a sport I am interested in taking up.  The next site, “The Twin Sisters”, which we were told was a must-see.  Hiking was the only way to get to this formation but well worth it.  At the top were two unison rock formations with a hole in the middle. It appeared as a window that frames Pikes’ Peak, giving us a glimpse of our next stop.

Speaking of Pikes Peak, that was the next stop on the agenda.  Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the front range of the Rocky Mountains.  The elevation is 14,115 and it’s a winding two-lane road to get to the top.  I must confess driving in our dually and seeing the edge from my window scared me to my core.  Not the most relaxing ride I have ever had.  The most remarkable thing was the few bicyclists trudging their way up that summit.  Kudos to them, because that is not an easy feat to accomplish.  This gives new meaning to the Tour de France.  Unfortunately, due to major construction at the peak, we were only allowed to go to mile 16 where we departed and had to take a shuttle to the top.  While waiting to get on a shuttle, the rain started, and then it began to snow.  Imagine seeing snow in July.  While the top had some fantastic views, it would have been better if there weren’t any bulldozers, forklifts, and fencing to block our views.  We were able to get some nice pictures by going over the jagged rocks and closer to the edge.  We will have to come back in a few years once they complete the various renovations.  Our shuttle driver who returned us to our car was filled with fun facts.  He told us of the marathons and the Race to the Cloud that occurs each year.  The marathon was canceled due to … you got it… COVID.   However, the Race to the Clouds was still being held on August 30^th.  Various vehicles are timed from the start at 9,390 feet to the top of the summit. The best time wins.  There are 156 turns and as long as it passes a safety inspection any vehicle will be allowed.  This race has been going on since 1916 when it was a dirt road and only 6 people have died.  Amazing!

We choose this campground as it was equidistant from Canon City and Colorado Springs.  The campground is well-manicured, a graveled site with full hookups, and a spacious picnic area.  After we settling in, we rode over to Canon City to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.  This suspension bridge is the highest in the U.S.  A miraculous feat as it spans 1620 feet above the Arkansas River.  It was built in 1929 and had many attractions besides the bridge to enjoy.  Sadly, in 2013, a wildfire destroyed many of the attractions, and the bridge which suffered minor damage was repaired.  Today, one can ride the gondola, or for more adventure, zip line across the gorge, or scale up the side of the gorge.

The next day we went river-rafting down a portion of the Arkansas River. Thankfully, I was able to stay inside the raft and not take a dip in the very cool water. In the evening we boarded the Royal Gorge Railroad which travels along the river.  It’s a wow moment when the train goes under the bridge. The view from underneath is amazing.  It’s hard to imagine we crossed that bridge and looked down at the river just a day before.  The ride lasted two hours and we were able to enjoy dinner and wine while taking in the views.

The sand dunes are the tallest in North America and such a sight to behold.  Even from the distance of our campground, the sand dunes stood out among the mountains.  Up close, one would think they were in the Sahara desert.  The dunes were created from the erosion of the mountains which were then shattered by freezing and thawing and being pelted by the wind.  It’s pretty technical but the result is stunning.

Our trek to the dunes started early and standing at the bottom looking up was overwhelming.  The hike began by walking on level soft sand for more than a length of a football field. In all honesty, I never thought I would make it to the top but I was going to give it my best shot.  The lower dunes are sprinkled with sand boarders, spectators, and those who look at the top and say, “Hell no”.  Sledding on the sand dunes was a quick ride and then one would have to trudge back up to the top to try it once again.  We decided to pass on that experience and continued our way up the dunes.  I am not going to lie; this was not an easy task for me.  The higher we went, the steeper it became and each step just sunk into the ground.  My heart was racing, breaths became gasps and there were a few times I just plopped myself down on the sand and rested.  By now, the sun is warming up the sand and it can be felt on the bottom of my hiking boots.  My husband, the cheerleader, encouraged me on and just kept saying it’s going to be great when we get to the top.  I came too far not to go to the top and on I plodded.  Eureka!! I made it and he was right, it was worth it.

The next day, we hiked Zapata Falls.  The unpaved road up was treacherous due to the deep ruts and multitude of scattered rocks of ample size.  Driving up in the truck was rocky and not fun as we both wanted to see it end.  Finally, we reached the starting point of the hike. Everyone getting out of their vehicles were shaking their heads as they noted, “This better be worth it.”  We agreed.  It was a good hike and yes, definitely worth it.

This was a short stay for us.  The two days here were spent hiking. Hiking is a way to be engulfed in nature and admire its beauty. Sometimes you even get a peek of its inhabitants. On this hike, we spotted a bear. Thankfully, it was off in the distance because we hadn’t purchased bear spray yet. Three big Tom turkeys graced us with its presence as they strutted through the woods. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to photograph either one, but I hope you enjoy the pictures we were able to capture.