Pike's Peak

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My last post pictures were from Pike's Peak in Colorado. I thought I would show y'all a few more pictures of our visit there.

As we get off the train this sign greets us as it stands in front of the gift shop. The gift shop sold many blankets this trip.

The temperature was very comfortable at the beginning of the trip with just a shirt sleeve needed, but on top of the mountain it was cold and windy and that was July 9th of last year. Frank and I were smart and brought our jackets and endured the stares of others as we boarded the train with our jackets in hand.

The computer is wonderful for checking on the temperature changes from one point to another :-) Today's high on top of Pike's Peak is about 45°F with a 3o% chance of thunderstorms. Colorado Springs forecast is a high of 85°F with the same chance of thunderstorms.

Frank and I had made our way over to the America the Beautiful monument while others took pictures in front of the sign. By time we made it back to the sign no one was around to take our photo.

The scenery is breathtaking even with a bit of a haze and you know how Katharine Lee Bates felt as she wrote the words to the poem that we now know as America the Beautiful.

We took the train up to the top. You can also drive to the top. We had hoped to see big-horn sheep on the ride, but that was not to happen. The train ride is very nice. We got to visit with some very nice people in the seats across from us.

As we boarded the train for the return trip this Yellow-Bellied Marmot graced us with its presence. I wish the light would have hit its face just a bit better. Despite that I'm glad I got to see it and take these photos through the train window.

A plaque honoring Zebulon Montgomery Pike.

This is a view from the Garden of the Gods of Pike's Peak.

Pike's Peak Videos.

If you ever get a chance to go to Colorado Springs take it. There is a lot to see and do in the area. A beautiful place to visit.

America The Beautiful - Happy Fourth of July!

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In the summer of 1893, an English instructor named Katharine Lee Bates from Wellesley College went west to teach a short summer course at Colorado College. And one day a group of teachers took a covered wagon ride to Pikes Peak. Miss Bates was worn out from the wagon ride and the walk to an observation deck at the pinnacle. But when she looked out and saw the sight, she was so thrilled and inspired that she pulled a piece of paper out of her bag and started writing a poem which she called Pikes Peak to be published two years later in the Fourth of July edition of The Congregationalist newspaper. The poem has been engraved on a monument at that viewpoint.

We were lucky enough to be able to visit Pike's Peak last year. It is beautiful up there!

Ray Charles is one of my favorite musical artist. My town, Albany Georgia, boast of being his birthplace. When I listened to the different versions of America The Beautiful on You Tube that Ray Charles sang, this version is the one that I thought really brought out the "soul" of the song.