Pikes Peak Or Bust!

As Helen and I began the fourth month of our RV trip through the northwest, we arrived at Chatfield State Park near Denver, Colorado.  It was hot–real hot! Daytime temperatures hovered around 100 degrees and remained there for the duration of our visit to a very nice State Park. 

The deer that grazed outside Dora (our fifth-wheel) didn’t seem to mind, but we only ventured out in the mornings or near sunset.  We began a morning hike in a nearby canyon but only walked a mile before turning around toward the direction of our truck air conditioner. For the remainder of our visit, we chose early morning bike rides as our exercise of choice.

Despite the heat, we enjoyed our visit immensely.  My niece, Katy, and her husband, Matt, live near Chatfield State Park and hosted Helen and me for dinner one evening.  Katy is one of my sister, LeAnn’s, twin daughters. We had a grand time and repaid the favor by inviting them to join us for drinks and dinner in Dora.

We spent one afternoon in the charming mountain village of Idaho Springs, Colorado. This place was a beehive of activity with young people playing games in the streets, shopping, and enjoying themselves in sidewalk cafes. Helen and I walked the town and also took in Bridal Veil Falls in a park one block off the main thoroughfare. We ventured into one thrift shop where Helen bought something–can’t remember what it was.

We left the heat of Denver and drove next to Colorado Springs, hopeful that an increase in elevation might offer cooler weather. Peregrine Pines FamCamp on the grounds of the United States Air Force Academy would be home for the next four days. I last visited the Academy almost thirty years ago and looked forward to camping there.

We also looked forward to spending time with Nancy and Jim, residents of Colorado Springs.  Nancy is a friend from Knoxville and Helen’s big sister from her sorority days at the University of Tennessee. When we lived in Germany, Nancy lived in a small town very close by, and we traveled together when we were young and adventurous.  While in Germany, Nancy’s son, Tim, was born and now is the senior pastor of a Presbyterian church in downtown Colorado Springs.  Helen and I had not seen Tim since he was an infant and looked forward to attending services at his church.

First Presbyterian has a sizeable congregation, and Pastor Tim leads four services every Sunday.  We attended one of the contemporary services.  I regret not having a video to share because Pastor Tim is a gifted minister, and Helen and I felt moved by the message he delivered that morning. It was a highlight of the trip.

Nancy told us that the cog train to Pikes Peak reopened recently after some renovations and suggested that we join her, Jim, and two grandsons, Peter, and Liam, for a ride to the top. We readily accepted and met them at the terminal the next day at noon. A large crowd assembled in the terminal beside the cog train sitting on an incline, and Pikes Peak loomed large above us and an hour or so away (Photo at top of page).

Unfortunately, we encountered another weather situation this day.  The heat of previous days moved out, and heavy clouds moved in. Our views from the train and the summit were not perfect, but not blocked completely. At one point on the way up, we sat on a sidetrack so the train moving down the mountain could pass.  I put my camera to work and photographed a curious Marmot, as well as a panoramic view of the valley below us.

The summit of Pikes Peak is over 14,000 feet above sea level, and the air is a bit thin at that elevation. When we walked off the train and climbed the steps to the viewing platforms, I felt both light-headed and oxygen-starved. The light-headedness soon passed, but I continued to struggle with the steps.

We only had about an hour at the summit before the next train arrived to take us back down the mountain.  I’m grateful for the experience and the opportunity to enjoy time with friends in a unique setting. Peter nodded off during the ride down, but I know he enjoyed the trip. Before leaving Colorado Springs, we shared a toast with Nancy and Jim and thanked them for showing us such a good time. We promised to stay in touch.

With this post, we wrap up another fun stop on the road less traveled. We’re on our way to Dodge City, Kansas, and we hope you’ll join us on Boot Hill.  Until then, we’re Easin’ Along.