Visiting Colorado Springs

Joanne booked us into the quaint Old Town Guest House B&B for four

Our B&B

nights in Colorado Springs.  At breakfast, the first morning, we met a couple who live in New York City. What a coincidence - Holly's hometown is Bergenfield, NJ just the same as Joanne. The next morning we met a couple from Austin. The coincidences continued because she is a chemical engineer whose UT adviser was Hugh Steinfink. Believe it or not, I took a course from him probably twenty years before her!  We really enjoyed talking to both couples.  We also give high marks to to Kim and Dave who run the B&B.

Siamese Twins

After a short rest at the B&B, we headed out to the Garden of the Gods only a few miles away.  After viewing a film about the geological formation of the gardens at the visitor center, we did a little walking around.  A short hike took us to the Siamese Twins for a framed view of Pikes Peak.


Pikes Peak in Distance

The next day, we continued checking out the Garden of the Gods before visiting the Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel, one of the most visited sites in Colorado.  The modern architecture of the chapel was beautiful.

Seventh Bridge

In the afternoon, we hiked the trails in Colorado Springs' Red Rock Canyon Open Space.  We hiked Mesa trail with views of the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, the Quarry Pass trail and then followed the Canyon trail back to the parking lot. See interactive Trail Map.

The beautiful Air Force Chapel

Strawberry dessert at the Broadmoor
 

Colorado Springs turned a record cold Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, we donned our jackets for an enjoyable hike up the the Seven Bridges trail in Cheyenne Cannon.  Curiously, about 75% of the hikers were young women.  One young lady arrived at the seventh bridge with a two year old on her back and a six month old strapped to her chest.  All were smiling!  The Colorado people that we met are hardy and "in shape."

Tree Hugger, Joanne



Richard at the 4th Bridge out of 7, a 5 mile hike

We got back just in time for a BBQ lunch before riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. On our last day, we walked about the old town of Colorado Springs touring art galleries before a delicious lunch the Broadmoor.  We finished up our touring at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.   We had a great visit and highly recommend Colorado Springs!

Photos 

Gideon's First Birthday

Gideon looking out; Dackel looking in.

Following his retirement, my brother, Bart, and his wife, Nita, recently built a new home in Yukon, Oklahoma, a rural area that is quickly becoming a suburb of Oklahoma City. So off we went for a visit that included their grandson's first birthday party. Gideon is Bart and Nita's daughter's son. Daughter, Ashley, and her husband, Matt along with little Gideon live nearby. Matt's parents drove up from San Antonio and niece Jessica, daughter number two, flew in from Houston.

The little one-year old birthday boy, Gideon

Bart picked us up at the airport. First stop - lunch at Tucker's for their famous Onion Burgers.  Yum!

In a way, out in Yukon, it was a step back in time for me.  The wind blows over rolling prairie spread out under a deep blue sky just like my home town, Abilene where my Mom raised dachshunds of which the longhairs were the best of the bunch. Bart has Dackel and Ashley has Min, both sweet black and tan dachshunds.  Having the dogs is such a nice tribute to Mom/Grandma Jo.

Industrial sized smoker Z6

Bart smoked brisket and sausage on his industrial strength Z6 smoker for the Friday evening welcoming dinner and grilled burgers and hot dogs for the Saturday afternoon birthday party. About fifty people, many of them with babies, showed up for the party. Although we had plenty to eat, we all went out for pizza in the evening.  Sunday evening we all enjoyed good Mexican food. We sure had plenty to eat!

Early Monday morning Bart & Nita drove us to the airport for our flight to Colorado. Bart, Nita and everyone else couldn't have been nicer.  It was a great family time!

Photos