My Colorado Springs Road Trip

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Greetings to you and welcome to my Colarado Road Trip.

Aaron and I woke up Saturday morning and said to each other "Let's go". So we did 'cos we can.

To get to anywhere and see the landscape look slightly different takes about 3 hours driving @ 70mph (120kmh).

We essentially drove straight to Colorado Springs where we found the "Garden of the Gods", an impressive array of rocks. In the mid afternoon the colours were amazing set against the backdrop of a bright blue sky. In the shadows it was freezing but in the sunlight I could unwrap the layers.

We stayed in a motel in a village outside the city so we wouldn't be tempted by the sin and debauchery that goes on after dark in big cities. Manitou Springs was cool and we had dinner in a place called The Keg. A great little bar just like Cheers.

Just as we were leaving Colorado Springs we came across this herd of deer grazing in the front yards of people's homes. Not a soul around but plenty of cars driving past. We were within about 10 meters of the buck in the photograph.


Sunday we went cross country to a town called Cripple Creek Ferry. I must confess that after hearing Neil Young sing the song Cripple Creek Ferry (

&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLAFA33D5F3C04B2AA ) I didn't expect the town to be full of casinos, at 9,500 ft, and in a basin on the side of a mountain which is in the middle of an historic gold mining area. So we thought until we drove around a corner to see the whole top of a mountain chopped off. I guess you could say that is how gold mining is done today.

A Smorgasboard Brunch at one of the casinos in Cripple Creek allowed Aaron and I to restock on bacon which is always necessary where ever you are. As you know bacon is a staple food, one of the basic food groups. Yes, it's true, ask Aaron.

The scenery from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, Vector and back to the flat lands (highway 50) was spectacular. Unlike road builders in NZ they go straight through the ridge creating these very narrow road passes through solid granite. I guess it is just as difficult to go around the ridge as it is to go through the ridge. It's all solid rock.

We stopped in at Todd & Honey's house to visit and stayed for dinner.

All in all we drove about 1200km in under 36 hours, nothing too dramatic in this part of the world.

P.S. Throughout the last 8 months I have posted 33 bloggs. Some are deeply personal while others are like this one, a storey about my travels. It would be nice to know what you think of the different bloggs I have posted so could you please leave a comment (good or otherwise) or a message. I would be grateful.

Thank you for your support

Nigel

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Photos

Garden of the Gods
See the doves at the bottom of the picture?

Garden of the Gods
Check out the people below the outcrop

Garden of the Gods
See the people at the bottom of the outcrop? later we saw them climbing straight up the outcrop.

Garden of the Gods
I just loved the colours especially the clear blue sky

Me all wrapped up
Garden of the Gods

Aaron all wrapped up
Garden of the Gods

Deer in my Garden
Hey!! What you looking at?

Deer in Town.
"Ok, if I ust quietly walk to the neighbours perhaps no one will notice.

Deer in the Garden
Beautiful.

Deer in the Garden
In full flight

View of Colorado Springs
Viewed at about 7,000 ft

The Gap
Because the rock is something like granite the road goes through the ridge not around.

Cripple Creek
About 9,500 ft

Vistor
Not a soul in sight

Deep Gorge
Heading back to the flat lands

Tunnel constrction
The ridge was too steep and the gorge too narrow so through they go. No supports, nothing but a hole in the rock

Garden of the Gods
I tried to catch the afternoon sun on the edge of the rock. Really cold in the shadows

Comments

[Dale]

Hi Nigel I really enjoy your blogg the stories of your travels and the photos are wonderful. I am gob smacked at times by some of your stories and breath taken by the scenery. What a fantastic experience you are having, well deserved, miss you so happy for you that its all going well.

[Nigel Harte]

Hi Dale
Thanks for your comments. Good to hear that you are enjoying the blogs. I have finished my truck driving now and it's Saturday, the wind is blowing from the North and the temp is 0 degs. I think it's time for me to leave. packing my bags now for my big train trip from Denver to LA via Salt lake City and san Francisco. Should be fun as I sleep on the train from SLC to san Fran. Back in NZ on the 10th Dec. Will call you when I get to NZ sometime. Nigel

[penny]

Hi, Always enjoy your blogs especially the photos. Sometimes they are a bit long as I always seem to be in a hurry when I check my emails!! I\'m sure others don\'t think that though. See you soon xox

[penny]

p.s. this one was a perfect length and I also really enjoy the maps and your explanations of your photos! I seem to get them twice which is good when I click submit and I haven\'t finished! xox :-)

[Nigel Harte]

Your response
Thanks Penny for your comments. Busy tying up loose ends here and then off on a new adventure in 48 hours, then home to NZ. Who knows what will happen next, lets just wait and see. Looking forward to catching up.

[Bruce Rattray]

Hi Nigel
Thanks for the blogs. They have been a nice distraction from all the broken buildings and work frustrations in Godzone. I just eat my heart out with envy as I read them all. Cheers Bruce

[Nigel Harte]

Thanks for your comments
Hi Bruce. Great to hear from you and that I am providing some distraction to you from your desk. I reckon that if you were meant to be here you would be but that does not appear to be the case. So the next thing is to live vicariously through my blog. Well that will hopefully make you less envious. I'm in Denver in the middle of a snow storm which is expected to drop about 6 - 8 inches before the days end. All is good until the wind blows and then it is freezing cold. Might head downtown and find a REAL COFFEE later. Keep cool 'til after school. See you on the 18th Dec when I hope to attend Church with you guys.