Biggs Cross Country 2017: Day 5 - Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

Its amazing how much you can do in a day! We were out the door by 8:30 and headed up the Pikes Peak Highway. We wanted to do that early before the weather turned on us. There are four ways to get to the top - at 14,115 feet! You can hike the 13 miles, you can ride your bike, take the Cog Railway or drive your car. We opted to drive. The weather was great when we started, but as we neared the top it got nasty, with snow showers and "grapple". By the time we reached the summit it was 33 degrees! Interestingly, there was no wind! So it wasn't unpleasant at all. It was a spectacular drive. About half way down there was a "mandatory brake check" to make sure you weren't burning up your brakes! We happened to be at the summit when the Cog Railway left the station on the downhill trip.

Back down the mountain to Manitou Springs and the Garden of the Gods. This is a spectacular park centered around some amazing rock formations. Miles of paved walkways. Believe it or not, this is a Colorado Springs City Park! And its free to everyone! We enjoyed a Jeep tour around the park which also took us to a spectacular castle called Glen Eyre and a tour of historic Manitou Springs. We stopped at one of several springs in town to taste the mineral water - a very odd but good taste that screamed for gin!

The day ended with shopping (really?) at the Historic Trading Post in the park. It is said to be the second largest gift/souvenir shop in the country! I don't doubt it! Pretty good thunderstorm while we were inside.

Dinner tonight at a chain restaurant called "Black Eyed Peas" which we were not familiar with. Very good, reminded us of Cracker Barrel. Across Kansas tomorrow - don't expect to see much!