This entire trip was a journey into my childhood memories. It's interesting what one does and doesn't remember. Most of my memories of Colorado consist of some indeterminate amount of time in a car, and then: poof. Arrive somewhere cool. As my father lived in Denver, it makes sense that all the spots in Colorado Springs are memories like this.
We confirmed with park docents that my memory of significantly less infrastructure everywhere is correct. (Both Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods have new visitor centers that were built well after my last visit. Not to mention the "rides" at Cave of the Winds.)
Places like Cave of the Winds, for which I have a strong name recognition, I can't say for certain if we actually went inside. I have memories of pictures (post cards?), but I can't match them to memories of my own experience.
I feel like I made my father stop at every "trading post" to which to ventured near. I remember those being more kitschy then they are today. There's definitely less cultural appropriation at the trading posts, which is an improvement for sure.
One of the few places we were unable to revisit was Casa Bonita. It's currently in a massive upswing in popularity and nostalgia post acquisition and refurbishment. The waitlist is currently measured in hundreds of thousands of people.
Sun, June 16
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
WikipediaThe Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway (also known as the Pikes Peak Cog Railway) is a cog railway that climbs one of the most iconic mountains in the United States, Pikes Peak in Colorado. The base station is in Manitou Springs, near Colorado Springs. more
Pikes Peak
WikipediaPikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The ultra-prominent 14,115-foot (4,302.31 m) fourteener is located in Pike National Forest, 12 miles (19 km) west of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. The town of Manitou Springs lies at its base. more
Garden of the Gods
WikipediaGarden of the Gods (Arapaho: Ho3o’uu Niitko’usi’i) is a 1,341.3 acre public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. 862 acres (3.49 km2) of the park was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. more
Garden of the Gods Trading Post
WikipediaThe Garden of the Gods Trading Post is a historic site in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It is adjacent to the Colorado Springs public park Garden of the Gods. more
Mon, June 17
Celtics win their 18th NBA championship. We watched from the hotel bar that had only three beers remaining on draft. One of the "local" draft beers was Coors.
Also, they would not turn on the sound for the game. Well first they wouldn't turn it on (against their policy) and later the manager "did not know how." I imagine that were the Nuggets to have been in the finals, somehow they would have figured it out.
Tue, June 18
Cave of the Winds
WikipediaCave of the Winds is a cave in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. It is located just west of Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 24, near the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Tours of the complex of caves are given daily. more
Garden of the Gods
WikipediaWe returned to Garden of the Gods during "golden hour" to see the park with different light. There were many, many professional photographers taking various types of portraits. In addition to the nice light, it was probably 20°F cooler. We encountered some wildlife as well. One gentleman deer kindly waited for us to pass him before crossing the road.
Wed, June 19
Seven Falls
WikipediaThe Broadmoor Seven Falls is a series of seven cascading waterfalls of South Cheyenne Creek in South Cheyenne Cañon, Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has been a privately-owned tourist attraction since it was opened in the early 1880s. There is no parking at Seven Falls. Round trip shuttle service is provided from the Norris Penrose Event Center. Trails from the top of the falls lead to Midnight Falls, near the headwaters of South Cheyenne Creek, and Inspiration Point. more
