Alas, we have returned to Colorado. It has been about two weeks since our return from our six-week RV adventure, and Al and I are already antsy to get back out on the road and explore. The RV is sitting on the side of the house, empty and locked. She’s had a thorough cleaning inside and out.
March 2012 – Just as we anticipated, we had a snowstorm a few days after our arrival back in Colorado. The moisture however was definitely welcome and very much-needed.
The snow has since melted at the lower elevations and this morning we were blanketed by fog. The weather is expected to be in the upper 60’s and sunny. Pikes Peak is gorgeous with a fresh coating of snow and I’d like to take some new photos of the mountain.
With that in mind, Al and I decide to take a short hike in Garden of the Gods and go out to lunch at one of our favorite Cafe’s in Colorado Springs. Prepared for the day we head out. The fog has burned off providing us with an unobstructed view of Pikes Peak.
Our first stop was at my favorite scenic overlook located on Mesa Drive just north of the Garden of the Gods visitor center. The mountain looked spectacular. The sky was as blue as can be, and 
the wind, oh that lovely wind will take anything not firmly latched to the ground off to Kansas. Just three miles east, it was as calm as could be.
The wind surprises us. I’d like to use my tripod to capture a photo of Al and me, but the wind had other plans. My trusty little travel tripod was no match for the winds.
Considering the extreme high winds, we forgo the hike and decide to stop in at the Trading Post for a look around, and a much-needed potty break. This is a must see stop when visiting Garden of the Gods for the first time.
There’s a little cafe and more tourist “stuff” to purchase than you can imagine. Their book section also offers some comfy seating. In addition to the Trading Post, the main visitor center is another favorite of mine. The visitor center offers maps and a ton of information on Garden of the Gods.
Not far from the Trading Post is the parking lot for the hike to the Siamese Twins. This is a hike we’ve taken numerous times in the past. It’s super easy and the views are amazing. The parking lot and trail are clearly marked on the park map.
Another fun activity is horseback riding through Garden of the Gods. The nearby stable offers one to three-hour tours.
June 2012, we opted for the one-hour tour just to see how we handled it. We had so much fun that we always intended to return for a three-hour ride, but life seemed to have other plans. I’m glad we managed to experience this short ride at least once.
After our stops at the Trading Post and Vistor Center, it was time for lunch, and Al and I were anxious to savor some tasty soup and Escargot.
LaBaguette remained one of our favorite places for lunch in Colorado Springs. They have delicious soups, especially French Onion, as well as some of the best Escargot AL and I have ever had.
The original LaBaguette Bistro was located in Old Colorado City. This is an old, historic part of Colorado Springs, located off Hwy 24 and just south of Garden of the Gods.
After a lovely lunch, AL and I had hoped to return to Garden of the Gods for a hike, but much to our dismay, the winds had only worsened. Oh well, we decided to head home knowing we are in a position to return another day. Yes, we were lucky to have such beauty in our backyard. For how much longer we’d continue to live in the area, we weren’t sure. There are so many more places we wanted to explore.
*******************
In September of 2011, five months after my mom passed away, my dad and niece, Heather, embarked on a road trip. From the Chicago suburbs they drove to my brother’s home in Grand Junction, Colorado, and then onto to my place in Pueblo West, Colorado.
And of course, no trip to southern Colorado would be complete without a visit to Garden of the Gods. It was always the first place we would take any visiting guests.
