Day 3 - A Drive to the Top, Pikes Peak

 Thursday, June 15, 2023

Colorado 

We decided to drive to the summit of Pikes Peak instead of taking the cog. 

When we got to the base we were told the top won't be open till 10 or 10:15 because the top has received snow during the night and they were clearing the parking lot. 

A daring feat and Titus wanted to be able to say he did it! Up we go, round this switchback and the next. Gasping as we look over edges 🫨😜 We definitely felt the need to breathe deep and some felt light headed. 

We stopped at a couple of points to take in the views. 

Pictures out windows... and some

include fingers and even bug markings 😆

Oh those switchbacks!!

This was all the further we were allowed to go.  Shortly after we were there, they opened up the road, 

so after spending time here, we went on to the top.

on we go...

At the top!  We made it!

We heard thunder and it started to pelt snow. Carlin called it dippin' dots. That's exactly what it looked like. 

They make fresh donuts every day.  

Well, well...   the cold air outside/warm air inside messed

with Brandon's system upsetting his electrolytes.

He almost fainted and fell into a guy as

he was going in to the restroom.  So the guy went

and got the EMT.  After drinking salty water, he felt much better.

(I came on this scene and Brandon's face was beaded with sweat!)

Down, down... we start our descent.

 

snowing on our way down... didn't last real long. 

lunch at the bottom and in the truck 

because it was raining

(It definitely felt good to be off the peak)

             our jeep ride through the gardens,

 a waterfall, bouncing around and going through tunnels.  It was so pretty!

balancing rock

              After the jeep ride, we walked a trail.  All the rock formations were so pretty.

Stayed the second night at Colorado Springs Campground.