August Colorado Vacation

Sunday, August 10 – Left Northwood at 6:40 a.m. and traveled west on I-90 (for what seemed like days). We passed hundreds of bikers coming back from Sturgis and started pointing out the countless Wall Drug signs to Mary and eventually saw one with a web address. I typed the URL into Joel’s Blackberry and read Ted and Dorothy Hustead’s story and the history of Wall Drug. After all the hype , we couldn’t NOT stop when we got there.

When we started seeing the hills in the distance and the outskirts of the Badlands we pointed them out to Mary whose response was, “Wow! Isn’t Mother Nature amazing?!”

We got to Keystone, South Dakota late afternoon and headed straight up the hill toward Mt. Rushmore. The sky was threatening rain, but we decided to get our first glimpse of the Presidents carved in stone sooner than later. Joel and I had each been to Mt. Rushmore (separately) years ago, and we discovered a lot had changed. Walking up to the Grand View Terrace, the walkway, called the Avenue of Flags, was lined with columns sporting each state’s flag and the year the state was admitted to the union carved into the column. None of that had been there when we visited before. We walked around the exhibit hall and watched a short documentary. As the threatening clouds gave way to rain, we drove back to Keystone to check into our hotel and forage for food.

As the heavy rains finally gave way to light rain, we made our trek back up the hill. Although the sun had started to peek out in Keystone, when we reached the monument, the moisture-filled clouds still hung heavy over the hills. Much of the earlier crowd had dissipated and the chill in the air was refreshing like early fall. As we walked toward the viewing terrace again, the clouds began to lift and we were able to view the faces of Rushmore now striped with streaks of rain. After more pictures, we descended the steps again to the amphitheatre, but instead of entering the exhibit hall, we took the half mile Presidential Trail around the base of the mountain. The still glistening pine needles and tree leaves made for some great “Kodak moments” as Mary liked to call them. We eventually wound our way around to the Sculptor’s Studio and the path to the Historic Viewing area. It was there at the “Historic Viewing” area that I finally recognized the spot where I had stood some 30 years ago getting MY first glimpse of the National Monument. The fact that it was now called the “Historic” viewing area didn’t make me feel old at all!

An inspirational program in the amphitheater highlighted the history of Mt. Rushmore and was a moving tribute to America as well as to the fathers of our country. The program concluded with a dramatic illumination of the four faces. We were very glad we had stayed for the evening lighting ceremony.

Monday, August 11 –When we left Keystone, our route took us past Mt. Rushmore, and we got to see the Shrine in the Black Hills one last time in the morning sunlight from several different angles as we departed. I don’t think anyone could ever get tired of viewing that marvelous masterpiece. The highway also took us past the Crazy Horse monument which we viewed from afar.

Traveling across the barren wasteland of Wyoming before dropping down into Colorado was like watching paint dry. If claustrophobia is the word for the fear of closed-in spaces, what would the word be for the fear of wide open spaces--Wyomingphobia? The miles between towns and neighbors spanned such a great distance, I began to wonder at times if we would ever see signs of civilization again. I was so glad when we finally drove across the border into Colorado. At Loveland, we got out to stretch our legs and found a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

We arrived at my cousin Beth’s house late afternoon which is located on Cheyenne Mountain. The cool air and the breathtaking landscape all around was relaxing and definitely something I could get used to.

Tuesday, August 12 – First stop: the five-star Broadmoor Hotel’s coffee shop/newsstand Espresso’s for a light breakfast. The Senior Golf Open had just concluded there and it was obviously a perfect setting for the event. We checked out the hall of fame viewing all the celebrities who had stayed at the Broadmoor. Then it was off to Seven Falls.

Seven Falls offered breathtaking views, picture-taking opportunities, and hiking. The 224 steps up to the top of the falls were very daunting, but I’m glad I made the trip. Hiking on the trail at the top of the falls was relaxing yet exhilarating. I was apprehensive about the trek back down the steep steps, but made it just fine.

Beth took us to the Mason Jar for lunch before we made our ascent up Pikes Peak. The 19 miles of straight up, switchback, hairpin curves were nerve-racking at best. With eight of us piled in Beth’s van, her foot to the floor in second gear only propelled us 15 mph. Beth's son, Patrick, amused us with his knowledge and trivia of Pikes Peak, and I kept reminding Mary to yawn and swallow to keep her ears popping. When Patrick mentioned that there is less oxygen at the top, I immediately felt as though I was having trouble breathing. Each turn that took us higher should’ve been an opportunity to look down and marvel at the breathtaking views. Instead, I was just hoping we wouldn’t plummet over the edge to our deaths. We finally passed the tree line and my apprehension turned into sheer panic as the road was no longer paved and had narrowed considerably.

At the Summit House on the top, the temperature was a balmy 47 degrees. Mary began showing signs of altitude sickness shortly after we reached the top. I tried to take some scenery shots, but was frozen with terror. I pretended to be fine. I walked around the gift shop and stopped to take in a film of Pikes Peak. The voice on the film was describing that a person with severe coughing and chest pains should be moved to a lower altitude as soon as possible. I knew I had started coughing on the way up. Was I now having chest pains as well?? I imagined that I was. About that time, Joel walked over to tell me two people had collapsed on the Cog Train. I knew I would be next. I watched the EMT on duty running in and out of his makeshift hospital closet, and wondered why any one of the employees here at the Summit House would do this job everyday.

Thankfully, I wasn’t one of the casualties that day, and we got our proof pictures taken with the sign proclaiming we had been at the top—14,110 feet above sea level, and then got back in the car to wind our way back down.

Wednesday, August 13 – Walking through the streets of New York City last year, I was in awe of the tall skyscrapers and vertical architecture which makes up the backdrop in so many movies. Now walking the path in the Garden of the Gods and looking up at the magnificent red sandstone rock formations I am struck by that same feeling of awe viewing this majestic skyline provided by nature. Many of these formations were sculpted through time by the natural process of erosion. Now a registered national landmark, there is literally a picture opportunity with every step. At one point, I turn away from the Garden of the Gods area to photograph Pikes Peak from afar—thankful, once again, that I’m seeing it from here rather than being at the top looking down.

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are not far away, so we decide to make that our next stop. This is one tourist attraction I did not see when coming out with my family the summer before my senior year. Walking through the home of the Anasazi Indians, it is hard to imagine the lack of creature comforts I’ve grown so accustomed to. Indian music played in the background giving the feeling we were walking on sacred grounds. A trip to the museum and gift shop and then it was time to experience the colorful and ceremonial Indian dances.

Solo’s Restaurant was an eating establishment Beth had recommended we go to while staying in Colorado Springs. As described by its website, “Solo’s centerpiece is a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. Built in 1953, this magnificent airplane refueled aircraft throughout the world. Then, in May 2002, it began its second mission~ to be the preeminent aviation restaurant in the United States. Forty-two passengers can actually eat in the plane of the 275-seat restaurant. Rich in aviation history, displaying 100’s of pictures, memorabilia and rare artifacts, Solo’s offers much more than great food, it offers a flight through aviation history.”

The kids had a great time playing pilot in the cockpit as we waited for our entrees to arrive. And the food was out of this world!

After lunch, we went to historic Manitou Springs located at the foot of Pikes Peak. We wandered in and out of the art galleries, specialty shops, and antique stores in this hippie yet Victorian community. There were several opportunities where we could stop and drink from the natural spring water long valued by health seekers. I didn’t try it, but from the reaction of Beth and the kids, it wasn’t that good. I don’t know what we expected for 20,000 year old water. We eventually came across a farmer’s market of individuals selling their organic and natural wares—weird items like tote bags made from garbage and milk that looked like milk but definitely didn’t taste like milk.

Thursday, August 14 – At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, one of the first attractions is the giraffe feeding frenzy. Kids can feed the giraffes crackers and get a firsthand look at the unusually long tongues inherent of giraffes. There is a gradual climb from one exhibit to the next which took us higher and higher up the mountain. The weather was beautiful and the scenery more picturesque every time we turned around. Mary gets to pet a baby joey, and we all have an opportunity to feed the birds in the Australian budgies house. The meerkats kept us amused with their antics and we viewed the powerful grizzlies in their Rocky Mountain Wild habitat through thick plated glass.

Friday, August 15 – Left Colorado Springs to return to Iowa at 7:30 a.m. Mountain time.

What a fantastic trip!! I’m so glad we were able to go. Thanks to our fantastic tour guide and host, Beth, we saw breathtaking mountain scenery, had great food, and the best part was being with family and enjoying the sights together!!!