Beautiful Colorado

We officially had our first big camping expedition with the pop-up and it was a great success!  I was a little nervous about booking a campsite in a place we'd never seen - didn't want to be sandwiched into a lot with no trees and a hundred big RV's.  We found one online in Manitou Springs with good reviews close to everything we wanted to explore and it was great!

Day One took us to the Commonwheel Arts and Crafts Festival and the lovely Miramont Castle. You went in on street level on the first floor and came out on street level on the fourth floor because it was anchored into the mountain.  Such a beautiful place - they don't build them like that anymore!

Miramont Castle

Next up we visited the Garden of the Gods.  I think this is absolutely one of the most beautiful places.  We spent the whole afternoon and evening hiking and climbing on every big rock that had a toe hold!  I just had so many pictures!  Hard to choose a few!

Can you see the rock climbers sitting on top of the one on the left?

Brandon's version of rock climbing.  Wait!  Is that a jackalope in your backpack?

Now off to Day Two and Pikes Peak!  It wasn't until this day that I realized I was "stupid scared" of driving up the edge of those mountain roads.  Brandon said it was worth the $22 just to watch me freak out.  Strangely enough, going down wasn't a problem! Next time we're going to hike up though!

Geez that was high!  The pictures just don't do it justice!

And a little Air Force Academy visit to round out the day!

I wish we would have had at least one more day, but alas, work and two small dogs beckon us home.

We'll be back - Davis still has more hiking to do!