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At The Foot of the Mountains
Saturday May 22, Kelly met me in Garden City at my hotel about 8am and helped me pack my car and his for our trip to Colorado. We didn't really know where we were going, but it would be either Colorado Springs or Denver and their surrounding areas. I checked out and we headed to Scott City where we dropped off my car at his dad's house for the few days we would be gone. They were getting their house sided and his step mom was very nervous because already the siders had made 2 mistakes.
Anyway we got what we needed in the car and headed west. We didn't have to decide which direction to go until we got to Kit Carson. Arriving at the point of decision, we were hungry and needed food for thought. We stopped at a convenience store and got personal pizzas. Mine was very good, but he didn't care for his. We decided to head for Colorado Springs.
We got to Colorado Springs about 3:30 and went directly to the Garden of the Gods Tourist Center. When we first got there we took pictures of each other
on the balcony with Pike's Peak in the background. I wanted us to see the 15-minute movie "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" so we would know a little more about the history and identification of the different rock formations. We were both disappointed because the film was obviously grounded in evolution and didn't really identify many of the formations. We had found a free map of them after we bought the tickets but before the movie started. After the movie we toured both of the gift shops before leaving and driving to the main parking lot. There we got out and took some of the walking trails around the park. I was very proud of myself when I could find the "Kissing Camels," the "Three Graces." and "Cathedral Rock." Kelly became a regular photographer taking my picture at almost every formation. We had a lot of fun.
It was getting close to 5PM and we still hadn't found a place to stay so that was next on our agenda. We went to one motel right outside Manitou Springs, but they wanted a little too much so we tried another. The second place we went to was called the
Sunflower Motel and it was just down the street from the first one. The lady owner told us the room had two beds and a kitchenette and asked if would like to see it before we got it. We agreed to look. We walked to the little house right across from the office and she opened the door. It was the cutest little place we ever seen. Two beds were in the front room, a TV, and a small open closet. The kitchen was through a little archway. It had a stovetop, refrigerator, nice counters and sink. The cabinets were filled with dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and glasses. Everything we could need. In front of the open kitchen window was a small table with two chairs and a pretty silk rose arrangement sitting on it. The tiny bathroom was off the kitchen. The whole pace was very tastefully decorated with sunflowers. We both fell in love with it instantly and told her we would take it.
Home base established, we thought we'd save some money and go to Wal-Mart for groceries instead of eating out. We got some things to make sandwiches and bottled water to drink. Then went back
and ate before going to bed.
Sunday we lay around in our own beds until about 10:00 before getting up and ready for church. We went to First Christian Church in Colorado Springs. The service was very nice. It seemed Methodist, but didn't say it was.
After church we went shopping in the Old Colorado City District. I wanted to go to The Tibet Import store so we parked by it and went there first. There really was nothing I wanted there. Next he wanted to go the antique store next door. We spent a lot of time there looking around at everything. He looked at the old bibles, and an intricate bell off of an old school house.
Next we ate at an in ice cream shop. We both had hot dogs. For desert he got a cone and I got a chocolate covered banana. I wasn't real impressed with mine. He liked his.
Then it was back to shopping. We walked down one side of the street and back the other only stopping in a few paces.
After that we drove to Manitou Springs and shopped there. I was on a mission to find my mom the
kind of top she likes. We went in several clothing shops. He wanted to go into several western and antiques shops. I finally found the kind of top for my mom and he picked out he color. Blue with blue embroidery. Very Pretty. Finally I could relax. We left Manitou Springs and drove around, went to Wal-Mart again and then back to the motel for the evening.
Monday morning, our last day there, we packed our stuff in the car and checked out at 10:30. We then got gas and then headed north to the Focus on the Family Headquarters. I really wanted to go there to see it and eat at Whit's End. We went to the welcome building first. As soon as you enter through the doors there is someone there to greet you and tell you about the site. On that level we first went to the theatre that shows a short film about the history of the ministry. When that was over we took pictures of each other outside on the balcony. Going back inside we looked at the paintings done by James Dobson's father. He was a great painter. Then we walked around in the bookstore awhile, neither of bought anything. For lunch we went downstairs to Whit's End ice cream and soda shop. That was what I was really excited about because I've listened to Adventures In Odyssey for about 10 years now. Yeah, I know I'm a little old for it, but I still enjoy it. We ordered our lunch and ate there. When we were done we took more pictures where kids can play and explore. The Kid's Radio portion was closed at that time so missed that. But over all we had a really good time. Next time I want to take the tour of the whole site.
We then left to go back to Wichita. We got back a little after midnight. It had been a fun trip!
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