We decided to check out the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception here in Denver. We are collecting animal sightings, capitol buildings and cathedrals on this trip. We found a parking place across the street where we could get some exterior pictures then checked out the interior. The cathedral is another Gothic style with lots of stained glass and interior support columns. Mary and Sheila both lit candles. I assume that was for the strength to finish the trip without giving in to the urge to inflict physical harm upon me. Or maybe for a safe journey.
After the cathedral stop, we tried to find the little apartment building Mary and I lived in when we were here in 1968. We had two problems here: After 39 years, our memories are a little fuzzy, and we could not remember the street or address. After driving around in circles for about half an hour we about gave up when Mary said she thought the street name was Clarkson. We had just driven on that street so we gave it one more pass. No luck. We decided the place had probably been torn down and replaced by a parking lot (sounds like an old song). We headed out of town at which point I came up with the number 1090 as the address. Tonight we confirmed that was the place using Google Maps, and according to the satellite picture, the building is still there. We'll check it out tomorrow.
From there we drove south to the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. We weren't sure what the procedure would be for getting on the grounds and seeing anything. It turned out that all we had to do was show my driver's license and let the guard see into the car ("roll down that tinted back window, please"). Sheila wants me to note that when she showed him her driver's license from the back seat, he said "I don't need to see your license, ma'am. You're from Iowa. I know I can trust you." We drove into the visitor's center and checked out the history and other information about the academy and shopped. Mary and I found it interesting that the first Air Force Academy Class started their training at Lowry Air Force Base. That is where I was stationed when we were here in 1968. We also stopped at a very nice overlook there where we were able to take pictures of the campus including the distinctive chapel. As we headed south from the academy on I-25, we went past the air field that is on the grounds and stopped at an overlook to watch parachutists who were coming down to the landing zone there. The cadets undergo parachute training during the summer months.
From there we went to a park named "Garden of the Gods". Mary and I had gone there in 1968 and remembered it being quite remarkable. Now there is a visitor's center and a whole park system built up around it. The Garden of the Gods is mostly red sandstone rocks formations that have been left behind as the area around them was eroded away. The formations are really beautiful. We were able to drive around the whole area and jump out at various overlooks for picture taking.
Next on the agenda was Pike's Peak. Sheila suggested this one, and Mary and I had never gone up there. We thought we would check it out and see if it was something we wanted to do. Pike's Peak is 14,110 feet above sea level, and the road to the summit is very steep and winding in places. The road is a toll road costing $10 per person. Sheila treated. As we were paying the toll, I noticed the sign that recommended a half tank of gas before heading up. A quick check told me we (more specifically, me) were in trouble. We had less than a quarter tank. At Sheila's urging we have not let the level get below a quarter tank since many of the area we have driven in have been a bit thin on gas stations. Anyway, we had to turn around and head back to the nearest town (about 5 miles away) to refuel. Then it was back to the mountain for the drive up.
The drive up Pike's Peak is about 19 miles and goes from about 6000 feet to the aforementioned 14,110 feet. The first part of the drive is fairly unremarkable. It is a bit of a climb with some switch backs, but the road is wide and paved. That changed in the top 1/3 of the climb. There the road was unpaved (though still fairly wide), extremely steep and had hairpin switch backs. I just stayed in 2nd gear and often shifted to 1st (Low) gear. I must say the car never flinched. The temperature gauge stayed right on it's normal mark. We did run without the AC on (as suggested) which mattered very little. The temperature at the bottom was in the mid 80s. When we got to the summit, it was 45. Needless to say, as we went higher on the mountain, the views were just incredible. Some of the views were, shall we say, disconcerting to the driver. I do not deny that I have a bit of a problem with my peripheral vision telling my brain that we are all going to die in situations like that. As I mentioned, the road was not paved and was fairly wide which was nice because I could drive in the middle without appearing to be straddling the yellow line (there was no yellow line). We made it to the top and my fingers did not have to be pried off the steering wheel.
Mary and I both noted the low oxygen level (40% of normal) at the summit. Sheila just went skipping around like nothing was different. Mary developed a headache, and I got winded easily and just a bit light headed. We checked out the gift shop and took pictures. While we were there, the cog drive train arrived from Manitou, so were able to see that and take pictures of it. I thought it would be an old fashioned steam driven deal, but it is comprised of three or four fully enclosed cars that were diesel driven.
We headed back down the mountain and before long came to a place where a herd of Big Horn Sheep were gamboling about. We stopped and watched them a bit. They actually came closer to the people stopped there before heading over a ridge and out of sight. We got some good close views and pictures of them. There were even a couple of young males in the group that were occasionally practicing their combat skills by butting heads.
It took us about an hour to drive up the mountain and about 40 minutes to come back down. Although I thought we had actually gone faster on average going up. I kept the speed pretty low coming down and mostly had the transmission in Low during the steepest part so I would not have to ride the brakes. There is even a brake check station at one point where you must stop so a park ranger can check how hot your brakes are using one of those thermal imaging devices. We passed OK.
The Pike's Peak experience was a very good one. I'm really glad we did it. I think that since we have driven it once, I would not need to ever do that again. However, if I got the chance, I would probably like to ride the railway up. I could spend more times looking at the scenery and less time trying to avoid death that way.
On the way back to Denver we stopped at an outlet center in Castle Rock. We promised Sheila we would stop there on the way back after we saw it going down to Colorado Springs. We actually all had a good time there, and Sheila bought another purse. We also bought more snacks for driving that we didn't need, but I'm sure we will enjoy them.
Back in Denver, we went down to the local Cheesecake Factory for a "light" dinner. We sat outside, and the evening air was wonderful. Denver has changed a lot in appearance, but it's personality is very much the same as I remember it. The city is a pleasant, clean place and the weather is very nice. It has its "characters" here and there as does any city. In 1968, most of those characters were "hippies". Now, I don't know what they are called, but they really are not that much different. We had a great time here, and I am glad we came.
Another full day is in the books. We have now started our fourth week on the road and the end is near. Tomorrow night we will be in Omaha, Nebraska, then Des Moines and Muscatine on Friday. I think we are all just a little ready to return to our homes and sleep for a day or two before setting out on another adventure. 8^)
Pictures have been posted.
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