Denver - Day 4
Ready for another vacation description assault? We actually did stuff on Day 4, but describing it is a little difficult so this will actually be a short post (relatively speaking)
Before continuing, you should know that Debbie and I tend to plan vacations that would make others wilt just from hearing what we did. Today was no exception. The day began with us checking out of the hotel because they wanted to charge as $150 to say on Monday night. My accountant (read wife) would not approve such an expense so we switched hotels. The time was around 7:15 am MDT on Sunday, we were in our car, making the 80 mile drive to Colorado Springs. Since it was so early, the roads were clear so we made good time. On the way down, we modified our plans a bit because we realized all the stuff we could do. So, we started off by driving to and up Pike's Peak. It's kinda odd because they named the mountain after a guy who died climbing it ... you woulda figured the first successful climber could name it or something. Anyway, we drove up to the gate and found out it was open ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!!! Thus began our 50 minute, 19 mile trek up the mountain reaching 14,110 feet above sea level. The road was paved up until mile marker 10. Then it was a dirt road with a berm standing about 1 inch high to act as a curb, keeping you from driving off and plummeting down the side of the mountain. Yippee! It was especially weird looking straight out the window and seeing no road ... just blue sky .. and clouds ... below you. We reached the summit and took lots of pictures. I even took a movie of the summit. I would like to have been doing an impersonation of Marilyn Monroe, but alas ... I wasn't. THE AIR WAS JUST THAT THIN!!! We spent about 40 minutes up there, bought lots of crap, took lots of pictures, then headed down the mountain because we had more stuff to do.
Up next was the Cave of the Winds. This involves touring a rather extensive cave system with lots of neat rock formations. It's hard to express in picture what we say, but I did my best. The neatest portion of the tour was when the guide took us into a room then turned off all the lights to expose us to "Cave Black" lighting. Talk about not seeing your hand in front of your face! To experience the same thing, do the following:
1. Turn off the lights in your room
2. Climb under the bed spread
3. Cover your eyes with a sleeping mask
This should get you pretty close to the experience we had. Its just much better when you can't see anything and your eyes are completely open.
Up next was the Garden of the Gods. This is a free park featuring massive and beautiful red rock formations. These formations have been given interesting names like The Sleeping Indian and The Kissing Camels. We enjoyed wandering around, but had to leave as there was more stuff to do.
Next, we drove to the Broadmoor Hotel. No ... this wasn't our new hotel. It costs around $400/night to say there and the finance committee rejected that request with an emphatic "NO!" Remember when I mentioned Debbie's parents used to live in Colorado? Well, they lived in Colorado Springs and her mother actually worked at the Broadmoor. She said we absolutely must see this place as it is magnificent. Can't say I disagree.
Finally, Debbie forced upon me the most uncomfortable situation ever. Here it is, 6 pm on a Sunday and she wants to stop by the Air Force Base where her father was stationed way back when. Yeah. Right. "Excuse me Mr M.P., but can we traipse around the base taking pictures?" I was not looking forward to this encounter. The guard was nice enough (meaning he didn't decide to arrest me on the spot for trespassing). When we asked if we could take a picture by the sign, his response was "As long as it's outside those gates there, I don't care" Whew! We would not be returning our rental car with bullet holes .. I was so relieved.
Thus ended our third day in Denver ... well not so much ended as we had a 40 minute drive back to our new hotel in the Denver Technological Park.
Before continuing, you should know that Debbie and I tend to plan vacations that would make others wilt just from hearing what we did. Today was no exception. The day began with us checking out of the hotel because they wanted to charge as $150 to say on Monday night. My accountant (read wife) would not approve such an expense so we switched hotels. The time was around 7:15 am MDT on Sunday, we were in our car, making the 80 mile drive to Colorado Springs. Since it was so early, the roads were clear so we made good time. On the way down, we modified our plans a bit because we realized all the stuff we could do. So, we started off by driving to and up Pike's Peak. It's kinda odd because they named the mountain after a guy who died climbing it ... you woulda figured the first successful climber could name it or something. Anyway, we drove up to the gate and found out it was open ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!!! Thus began our 50 minute, 19 mile trek up the mountain reaching 14,110 feet above sea level. The road was paved up until mile marker 10. Then it was a dirt road with a berm standing about 1 inch high to act as a curb, keeping you from driving off and plummeting down the side of the mountain. Yippee! It was especially weird looking straight out the window and seeing no road ... just blue sky .. and clouds ... below you. We reached the summit and took lots of pictures. I even took a movie of the summit. I would like to have been doing an impersonation of Marilyn Monroe, but alas ... I wasn't. THE AIR WAS JUST THAT THIN!!! We spent about 40 minutes up there, bought lots of crap, took lots of pictures, then headed down the mountain because we had more stuff to do.
Up next was the Cave of the Winds. This involves touring a rather extensive cave system with lots of neat rock formations. It's hard to express in picture what we say, but I did my best. The neatest portion of the tour was when the guide took us into a room then turned off all the lights to expose us to "Cave Black" lighting. Talk about not seeing your hand in front of your face! To experience the same thing, do the following:
1. Turn off the lights in your room
2. Climb under the bed spread
3. Cover your eyes with a sleeping mask
This should get you pretty close to the experience we had. Its just much better when you can't see anything and your eyes are completely open.
Up next was the Garden of the Gods. This is a free park featuring massive and beautiful red rock formations. These formations have been given interesting names like The Sleeping Indian and The Kissing Camels. We enjoyed wandering around, but had to leave as there was more stuff to do.
Next, we drove to the Broadmoor Hotel. No ... this wasn't our new hotel. It costs around $400/night to say there and the finance committee rejected that request with an emphatic "NO!" Remember when I mentioned Debbie's parents used to live in Colorado? Well, they lived in Colorado Springs and her mother actually worked at the Broadmoor. She said we absolutely must see this place as it is magnificent. Can't say I disagree.
Finally, Debbie forced upon me the most uncomfortable situation ever. Here it is, 6 pm on a Sunday and she wants to stop by the Air Force Base where her father was stationed way back when. Yeah. Right. "Excuse me Mr M.P., but can we traipse around the base taking pictures?" I was not looking forward to this encounter. The guard was nice enough (meaning he didn't decide to arrest me on the spot for trespassing). When we asked if we could take a picture by the sign, his response was "As long as it's outside those gates there, I don't care" Whew! We would not be returning our rental car with bullet holes .. I was so relieved.
Thus ended our third day in Denver ... well not so much ended as we had a 40 minute drive back to our new hotel in the Denver Technological Park.
posted by Eddie at 20:00
1 Comments:
Okay, sweatheart, you knew this follow-up post was coming...
You know I realized the idea of taking a picture of the air force base was not a good thing before we left for Denver. I'm a picture person but, come on, I know enough to realize you just don't take pictures of some things. You were the one who actually drove up to the gaurd gate. I just wanted to drive far enough to see the entrance. You could have easily turned into the shopping conplex before reaching the gate. :) But... I have also been told not to hesitate about asking questions so I did and I'm glad I did. (Remember, though, you gave me that opportunity.) Now, thanks to the gentleman, I now have a picture of myself by the north entrance to the base my dad was stationed at years ago.
I just love how you exaggerate...
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