Day 26

A long drive today so we did most of it on the 25 Freeway. An extraordinary journey started off sunny but the rain soon came. And I mean rain! There were also warnings of snow. We did not see any but there was a lot more on the mountains than when we came through three weeks ago. One minute it was photographer’s clouds and the next absolute downpours. Very spectacular.

Back into Colorado with all its fantastic scenery. However, we arrive far too soon to check into our hotel, so decided to pay a visit to the Garden of the Gods. Named by Charles Perkins’ children when they conveyed the 480 acres to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909. This was on the understanding that it should remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold or dispensed, and no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect and maintain the area as a public park. It really is a unique place and I feel privileged to have been there. And it was not raining!

Geoff phoned the Pike’s Peak office to see if we could go all the way to the top. However, it was closed today as they expected snow. We got just short of the top a month ago but it would have been nice to go all the way. We will try again tomorrow just in case it did not snow.Fingers crossed.

Manitou Springs is a really neat place, part high class and part hippi, a nice combination. We had a wander around after we had found somewhere to park - not easy, it being a Sunday and Mothers’ Day it was rather crowded. Nearly everything was closed when we were here over 3 weeks ago but it has all opened up and is completely different. It has come alive.

Ah well, last leg tomorrow, 60 miles to Denver to await our flight.