Jul 5, 2011
Our Journey to the Top of the World
For our Fourth of July celebration, we decided to drive down to Colorado Springs to do a little mountain exploration!
Funny story: on our drive here, as soon as we crossed the Colorado border, the boys were yelling, “Look! A mountain!” from the backseat. What they really saw were some slightly rolling hills, about 20 feet high. I suppose after driving across Nebraska, anything looks like a hill.
Anyway…after consulting with some Colorado dwellers, we decided to not go to Mt. Evans on the 4th of July (our original plan), because they thought the traffic might be horrible coming back. We took their advice and did Pike’s Peak and Garden of the Gods. It was an awesome day–really hot (but it truly is a dry heat, which I didn’t used to believe in, but now I do), beautiful blue skies, and amazing rock formations! The kids all traveled really well, too, so that always helps!
I won’t even try to do justice to Garden of the Gods with the pictures I took, but will put some up later of the ones Katie (our nanny) took. (P.S.: Katie took over 500 pictures yesterday. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!)
But here’s a funny little video of Morrow playing on the rocks. He told me last night while I was getting him ready for bed: “I’m good at climbing mountains!”
Then after our time at Garden of the Gods we had a little picnic in Manitou Springs (crazy little cute town that it is!).
Happy Fourth of July from Cay-Cay & Widget!
After our lunch we decided to do the drive up Pike’s Peak, which is over 14,000 feet! I drove the entire way up, and am happy to report that I only had to do lamaze breathing a couple times! It was pretty freaky at times, especially knowing that I had six other people (who are everything to me) in the car with me.
It was so cool to drive above the timberline. That was at about 12,000 feet. The trees just start dropping off and the ones that are trying to grow are all puny-looking, just because they don’t get the moisture and oxygen they need to grow up there. So amazing.
I was also a little obsessed with watching the temperature drop. Our rear-view mirror has the temperature gauge on it, and it was fascinating to watch the temperature go from 90+ at the bottom to about 55 at the top. Loved it!
When we got to the top, I definitely noticed a difference in the air. I even felt a little nauseated. We brought plenty of water and snacks so we were good to go after a couple minutes.
I kept proclaiming loudly, “We’re at the top of the world!”
And here’s a good one of my man with half of his brood.
So any of you experienced in Colorado, tell me: is the Pike’s Peak drive comparable to the drive up Mt. Evans? Is the Mt. Evans drive scarier? I’m just curious and trying to weigh our options for things we should or shouldn’t do during our time here, especially with kids.
Looks wonderful! We love Colorado. I am dying to know your tips to traveling well with kids. We’ve always been avid travelers, but we have found it so taxing and frustrating with little ones. Any advice other than snacks and toys and constant potty breaks? Maybe my expectations are too high. :) We traveled a lot for 10 years before there were kids, so that might also have something to do with it. But we do generally add 1 hour per three of driving to our trips though.
If you are still in CO Springs, check out Cheyenne Mt. Zoo. Great zoo, including feeding giraffes at their level!
Oh, Molly, you’re making me homesick! I grew up in Colorado Springs. I love the mountains. . . and I’m glad you finally believe us about the ‘dry heat.’ It’s different, isn’t it? :) I live in Chattanooga now, and we’re in the beginning of The Heat of Summer, and the humidity is so…ugh. I love living here, but the humidity…ugh.
I’ve been up Mt. Evans twice…the road is comparable as I remember it. There are some stretches of road above treelike that are more spectacular drops than the Pikes Peak Highway, but it’s really pretty once you get to the summit. Also, you might see mountain goats or other wildlife at Mt. Evans! There’s a lovely lake on the way to Mt. Evans and national or state park land with picnic benches–if you go, bring a picnic!
Enjoy!
I live in Denver, and have for 13 years. I loove it here. I would definitely recommend the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo. I’ve never been personally, but I know that it is very popular among moms, especially because of the giraffes. I plan on taking my daughter once she’s old enough to appreciate the sights.
I’ve been on Mt. Evans, though never Pikes Peak and hear that Pikes is definitely the better of the two. Evans was pretty though. But you’d be hard put to find an ugly mountain in Colorado.
Personally, I LOVE Estes Park. It’s about an hour North and into the Mountains from Denver, but there is a huge, beautiful lake, lots of hiking trails, and a cute little town.
I’ve also heard that Winter Park is a really fun place to take kids of all ages.
Denver is home to a pretty great Children’s Museum and Aquarium, too, if you’re not opposed to spending some money to get out of the heat.
Coors Brewery does tours…but maybe that’s more for mom and dad (my brother went when he was 6 but I can’t remember if he enjoyed it or not)…
Red Rocks! Ohhhh. You have to go to Red Rocks. Lots of hiking areas, plus a giant amphitheater! It’s in Golden…part of the Denver Metro. It’s gorgeous out there. <3 It's a different kind of beauty than you'll find places like Pikes and Evans.
Be careful though…you may never want to leave. ;)
Very comparable. The difference in elevation is significant, and I remember the Pikes Peak road being slightly wider. We have a horror story from the top of Mt Evans though. Our car became vapor locked due to elevation and we were stranded up there for the better part of a day with young children until we could get a mechanic from Colorodo Springs to come. They thought they’d have to tow the car down about half way before it would start, but this mechanic was a miracle worker and was able to get it started. Needless to say, we had him FOLLOW US on our way down. He said that is actually a fairly common occurance. But do you see it in the literature? None that I saw!!
I should proof read before posting. Ugh. That should say, “The difference in elevation is INSIGNIFICANT”.
I’m partial to Mt. Evans because at the top is where my husband proposed to me! :) But I’ve never been up to Pike’s Peak to compare…. The Mt. Evans drive is spectacular, though.
I throughly enjoyed reading this post. It brought back so many memories. Our family of 6 went to Colorado Springs about 12 years ago. We had 3 little boys from 5-9 years of age and then a toddler daughter of 2. They thought the Garden of the Gods was amazing. Climbing and exploring. They are now 23-17 years of age and still talk about that trip. You are doing a great job of building memories. You will be so glad you did this when you are a week away from 1 of them getting married (as we are now)and you know you are entering a new stage of parenting. Cherish this time it goes by quickly.
Molly, I’m a Colorado native. A mid week drive to Mt Evans will definitely spare you the hideous 1-70 traffic jam on weekends.
I recently rediscovered a childhood favorite picnic spot off the Mt Evans road
I love driving a bit past the Mt Evans turn off through Idaho Springs and taking friends to Georgetown. Just 2 miles before Georgetown is Hwy 40 – Berthoud Pass, one of my favorite areas to drive, stop, hike and really have that top of the world feeling.
Check out my photos on Fb: Welcome Travelers!
oh, this post and these pictures make me so happy!!
sorry, that post was from me. i’m not scared of heights any more. (now that i know you’re ALIVE)
Go to the Chefs clearance store – it’s on the way to GOG’s and has amazing deals! (I’m sure cooking equipment was on your list of must do’s for this trip!)
I think the view from pike’s peak inspired “America The Beautiful”.
Estes park is by far gorgeous! Also do Whit’s End at Focus on the Family.
Driving… just remember to downshift instead of using your brakes and you’ll be fine!
We love the drive up Mt. Evans! It’s not scary at all… and there are a few places (Echo Lake, etc) that are easy to jump out and explore with the kiddos on the way up (or down). FYI: Beau Jo’s Pizza in Idaho Springs is a MUST “post-mountaining” lunch… just make sure you they give you plenty of honey to dip your crusts in! :)
Oh, and we’re in Denver (we’re Kari&Eric Johnson’s friends)… so if you need anything while you’re here, just let me know!
ohhhh-we love Beau Jo’s! so amazing! there is one in Denver and in Evergreen!
We are in KS but travel frequently to Colorado. The drive through Rocky Mountain National Park is gorgeous. Winter Park is really great fun during the summer months (ski lifts/bobsleds). Boulder is fun and funky. We have enjoyed going down to Royal Gorge. We’ve never been but everyone has told us that Focus on the Family’s campus is really fun for the kiddos.
We lived in Colo Spgs for 10 years. We were on staff with The Navigators – if you can, check out Glen Eyrie http://www.gleneyrie.org – you can tour the castle that General Palmer built and there is easy to moderate hiking available as well. The property is AMAZING.
We were always told that driving up the Peak takes a year off the life of your vehicle, so if you’ve done one, I probably wouldn’t do another… it’s really tough on your car.
I always loved Manitou Springs as well. We lived in Pleasant Vally which was between the Garden of the Gods and Manitou. OH! Rock Ledge Ranch – right there to the left of Garden of the Gods – http://www.rockledgeranch.com/ – also very fun to visit!
I live in Denver and I agree with Savannah’s comment-be careful because you may not want to leave Colorado : )
and there definitely is such a thing as “dry heat”. : )
Glad you’re having fun in Colorado, I am a native and couldn’t live anywhere else! They are both amazing drives, Mt. Evans will probably still have a lot of snow.
Estes Park is a fun place to visit, really Colorado is so awesome there are too many places to suggest! You’ll have to come back!
The Denver aquarium is a great suggestion and really cool, but a little pricey. The Children’s museum would be hard with the littles. It gets really packed and can be chaotic. It’s a fun place for a one on one date.
If you’re in Denver, visit the Hammonds candy factory is fun http://www.hammondscandies.com/.
Enjoy the rest of your time!
Wow, how funny. We live in MN and drove to Colorado over the 4th as well. And went up Pike’s Peak and went to Garden of the Gods on the same day as you…but we took the cog railway. You’d have to put me under general anesthesia to get me to go in a car up that mountain. Did you know they have a race up it ever year? The winner did it in something like 10 minutes. Makes me sweat just thinking about it.
the comment about hills being mountains reminds me of every time we drive to the suburbs and my kids say, “are we in the forest??” because they see more than one tree in a row.
oh my….