All Aboard for America's Mountain: The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway by Claude Wiatrowski

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an inexpensive souvenir that might be used as resource material for school reports.

It gets five stars because I'll look at its pictures again when I reminisce about this vacation.



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Royal Gorge Bridge and Park,27 Aug 2010

Our flight from Colorado Springs did not leave until late afternoon so we had time to travel to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. We arrived early, drove across the highest suspension bridge, and walked back across while we took pictures from the bridge.
The Royal Gorge Bridge sits 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.
Click Royal Gorge Bridge and Park,27 Aug 2010 for more photos to view.

Balanced Rock, Garden of the Gods, 26 Aug 2010

Balanced Rock is the most popular formation for us tourists to have our pictures taken with, and yet the lighting was less than favorable for the best shot at the time we were there. I guess the rock wanted to be the star.
Click Balanced Rock, Garden of the Gods, 26 Aug 2010for twelve more pictures.

Siamese Twins Trail, Garden of the Gods, 26 Aug 2010

The Best Day Hikes in Colorado Springs recommended this trail and we are glad we took it for the views of Pikes Peak framed by the formation known as Siamese Twins.
We also saw a deer at the end of the trail.
Click Siamese Twins Trail, Garden of the Gods, 26 Aug 2010for 19 more pictures.

Garden of the Gods, 26 August 2010

We began our tour with a stop at the Visitors Center to watch the movie, "How did those Red Rocks get there?"
We parked at the largest parking lot and walked through the Central Garden. Most of these formations have names, but I found myself disoriented by the size of these formations.
Click Garden of the Gods, 26 August 2010 to view 27 more photos.

Seven Falls, 25 Aug 2010

In the afternoon, we went to another attraction, Seven Falls. Seven Falls is the only waterfall in Colorado to make National Geographic's list of major waterfalls of the world. As the road and parking lots are in the valley of a box canyon, we expected to look up for the best views. We were told alternative views were available. The first sign we noticed on the way to the lookout warned us this way up is 185 steps. I was not looking forward to it as I had been at this altitude for less than 24 hours, and I was not yet acclimated for such a climb, even at a slow pace. A wonderful alternative is the elevator, cut into the mountainside. We walked through a cool tunnel to the elevator which took us to The Nest viewing platform.
There are 225 steps near Seven Falls. I suggested that I remain at this viewing platform to take pictures of Don's progress up the falls; and when he starts back down, I'll ride the elevator and meet him at the bottom of the falls.


Click Seven Falls, 25 Aug 2010 for 50 more pictures.

The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway, Pikes Peak

Our son's family rode this train on their visit to Colorado in July. They enjoyed it so much they recommended it to us. The weather was perfect to keep the skies as clear as it was for our trip. The temperature was 30 degrees cooler at the peak than in Manitou Springs, and we had our jackets with us.
The view from Pikes Peak does make you want to sing America the Beautiful whose lyricist was inspired by the view of this Front Range to the grainfields of Kansas.
The doughnuts made at Summit House have been extolled by the Food Network. We ate a warm one on the way down and saved some others for later. We had to eat a piece of their other specialty, fudge, while we were at the altitude of 14,110 feet for their fudge has no caloric effect at that altitude.

Click The Manitou to view 56 more photos.

Barr Trail, 25 Aug 2010

Barr Trail is the historic 13-mile trail to the top of Pikes Peak. Early tourists took a 3-day burro trip to make this journey. Legend has it, Zalmon Simmons came back from such a trip so sore that he financed the cog train railway.
Other legends of this trail are stories of the runners of this trail. There is a race called the Pikes Peak Ascent which is a race of 13.32 mile ascent with 7,185 feet vertical gain and has a record time of 2 hours 12 minutes. There is also the Pikes Peak marathon: an up and down course whose record is 3:16:39. As amazing are those times, there is more to be amazed by for in this oxygen-sparse environment, those races are held as a Double: do the ascent one day and run the marathon the next day! The legendary runner of the Double is Matt Carpenter who is still setting records in his age group.
Our expectations of the trail were more realistic for ourselves. We hiked as far as we could in 40 minutes and turned around in order to be on the cog train for our seat reservations.
Click Barr Trail, 25 Aug 2010for ten more photos.

The Broadmoor, 24-27 August 2010

Our 37th anniversary was celebrated with a trip to Colorado Springs where we stayed at the elegant Broadmoor. Yes, it was a splurge and a treat.
We had some expectations of what the property and its atmosphere must be like. Those expectations were reinforced by the research reading I finished before I left, Newport in the Rockies and Broadmoor Memories. I learned history of Court Pourtales, Julie and Spencer Penrose, and El Pomador Foundation. From its website I learned the business is currently organized as a sole proprietorship. This place earns its character from the dreams and visions of people for more than 100 years, and it is beloved.
Thanks for letting us be part of it for three nights.

Click The Broadmoor, 24-27 August 2010 to see thirteen more photos.

Apologizing to Dogs by Joe Coomer

This is a passage that describes Mazelle, the owner of Mazelle's Rare and Medium Rare Books.

Mazelle began to buy books because she liked reading them, but as the years and decades turned she understood that they were merely objects to be bought and sold. Books were too small to contain lives, always promised more and realized less. Her own life was an example. What book approached its audacity, its scale, its hidden grandeur, its intricacy, its depths of emotions, its level of sin? None, and none ever would. Searching for a life in a book was like looking for a house in a keyhole. She'd stopped reading and taken up the tending of her children. Books were only valuable to people who hadn't yet come to her understanding and only then when they hadn't been read. So people sold the books they'd finished cheaply and paid dearly for those they hadn't. Mazelle had placed herself in the middle. She looked at her profession as that of a dealer to addicts. She knew her customers would return. Only those readers whose lives became larger than fiction could break the habit.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars






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Broadmoor Memories: The History of the Broadmoor by Elena Bertozzi

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I like stories of a place and the people who love it. This book entertains with stories of General Palmer, Count Pourtales, and Spencer and Julie Penrose. The mood of the book changed when the villain, Federal Tax Reform Act of 1969 obligated El Pomar Foundation to sell controlling interest in 1989 and 2004. By the time the book was published in 1993, I felt the author had a difficult time maintaining enough objectivity to write about the new owners and their plans. Of course, that is a difficulty encountered by all authors of current events. Those writers never know when their work will be read.



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Newport In Rockies: Life & Good Times Of by Marshall Sprague

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is an interesting history of dreamers, visionaries and some practical people whose determination and money influenced the development of Colorado Springs.



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Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs by Tracy Salcedo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love a trail guide that fits in the pockets of my hiking wardrobe!
I'm grateful for the ranking system of easiest to hardest for the trails of the plains and of the mountains.
The descriptions of trailhead location and trails make me feel as if I will be able to easily recognize where I want to go. Each trail has a map.


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Frommer's Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs by Eric Peterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I always find useful information in Frommer's Guides.

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Fear of Frying by Jill Churchill

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I like cozy mysteries, but this one came across as too cutesy for me. This is the nineth installment in an award-winning series and I have no desire to read the first eight, based on my boredom with this novel.
I see many other readers enjoy it so I'm glad this author found her audience. Excuse me for wandering into the group.

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Pikes Peak People the Story of America's Most Popu by J. Fetler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an enjoyable read for history of some characters important to Pikes Peak history.

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Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Mill Race River, Good-bye to the Park

Yet another river outside Prospect is Mill Race River. We stopped for supper at Prospect Cafe and headed back to Crater Lake National Park for a few hours sleep before we started our trip home in the pre-dawn hours.
Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Mill Race River, Good-bye to the Park for more photos.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010 Rogue River Natural Bridge

The cougar warning sign is not one I would see back home.
At Natural Bridge, the river is swallowed by an underground maze of lava tubes. A fraction of the flow is released into a small pool directly below the bridge. The remainder of the diverted water surges back to the surface and is visible from the viewpoint bridge.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010 Rogue River Natural Bridge for more photos.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Rogue Gorge Viewpoint

Outside the park, we followed Rt. 62 towards Prospect. The Rogue Gorge Viewpoint provides several viewpoints of the gorge and traces of a historical road.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Rogue Gorge Viewpoint for more photos.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Annies Creek Canyon Loop Trail

We saw a deer in the campground on our way to the trailhead.
Annie Creek Canyon Loop Trail is a 1.7 mile loop trail with a change in elevation of 200 ft. Two-hundred feet may not sound like much until the first time you peak over the side of the trail and see one of the last switchbacks at the canyon floor.
It is a moderately strenuous trail through a deep, stream cut canyon. The moderately strenuous part comes on the way back up.
Lots of water and wildflowers. The creek provides the park’s drinking water. There are also some springs on hillsides. Don spotted a frog.
The pumice on trail is dusty. I prefer to end a dusty trail with an ice cream sandwich instead of a shot of whiskey that cowboy movies appear to encourage.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Annies Creek Canyon Loop Trail for more photos of this trail.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Godfrey Glen Trail

Godfrey Glen Canyon Trail is 1 mile long with a change in elevation of 50 feet. The Visitors Guide characterizes it as an easy stroll through old-growth forest, with some scenic canyon views. This is supposed to be accessible to wheelchairs with assistance. I hope the assistant is strong. There is one sharp turn up an incline that I imagine getting traction in the soft pumice soil might take some effort.
There are views of the fossil fumaroles that are revealed by the erosion of Annies Creek and Munson Creek.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Godfrey Glen Trail for more photos.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Castle Crest Trail

Castle Crest Trail is 0.5 mile with change in elevation of 100 feet. The flowers along this trail are nourished by springs emerging from the hillside. The trail is rocky and slippery in places. There are abundant wildflowers.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Castle Crest Trail for more photos.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Lady of the Woods Trail

When you travel to national parks, I highly recommend you walk on as many trails as possible to see for yourself how different these places are from where we live. I also recommend you visit the displays and watch the short movies available in the Visitor Center.
Lady of the Woods Trail is a 0.5 mile loop around Park Headquarters with 120 feet change in elevation, The trail's name refers to a sculpture of a woman carved into a boulder along the trail.

Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010, Lady of the Woods Trail for more photos of the trail.

Crater Lake, 29 July 2010 Wildflowers at Vidae Falls

I took more pictures of the wildflowers at Vidae Falls.
Click Crater Lake, 29 July 2010 Wildflowers at Vidae Falls for more photos.

Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Watching Phantom Ship and Sunset

Click Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Watching Phantom Ship and Sunset for more photos.

Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Rt 242 and 19, Dee Wright Observatory

Rt 242 was the Volcanic Highway and it was impressive because the piles of rocks seemed endless! I said the Pumice Desert was scary and this is even more difficult to walk on.
Dee Wright Observatory has openings that frame the distant mountains. Click Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Rt 242 and 19, Dee Wright Observatory for more photos.

Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Cascade Lakes Highway to Sisters

We went out of the national park in search of the Cascade Lakes Highway and had some trouble finding both 42 and 61. We finally found a TOUR sign which directed us to Burgess Road (not named on our map) and we finally found a sign that reassured us we found our way.
We took the Cascade Lakes Highway to the town of Sisters, named for 3 mountains nearby. Sisters is lucky to have Bronco Billy's Saloon and Ranche Grille. I was impressed with the fresly squeezed strawberry lemonade and Gardener's Pride sandwich.
Click Crater Lake, 28 July 2010, Cascade Lakes Highway to Sisters for more photos.

Crater Lake, 27 July 2010, After the rainstorm

If you have ever been on a photo safari with my husband, you will remember times you waited while he pushed some limits in order to get the shot.
Daughter remembers him standing in the middle of the road in Las Vegas while she had to scream, "The traffic light changed."
The rest of us remember many times we remain on the trail while he scurries out to some point or up to some point we don't feel comfortable walking to.

Since we had a free afternoon, after the cancellation of our trip on Wizard's Island, my husband wanted to return to some viewpoints for additional shots closer to the edge. Maybe he will show his photos later.
Click Crater Lake, 27 July 2010, After the rainstorm for more photos.

Crater Lake, 27July 2010, Cleetwood Cove Trail and Boat Tour

I have been apprehensive for several days as we planned to hike 2 ½ strenuous hikes between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. The ½ hike would be the hike down the Cleetwood Cove Trail where we would take a boat ride to Wizard Island. While on Wizard Island, we wanted to hike both the Wizard Summit Trail and Fumarole Bay Trail before the last boat of the day left at 4:30 P.M. I did not worry about the hike up Cleetwood Cove, even though its description says it is the equivalent of 67 flights of stairs. I’m not worried about how long I might need to walk back up the trail because I would have about 3 hours of daylight plus my flashlight.
When we picked up our reserved tickets that morning, we were disappointed at the news we would have to be picked up at 1:30, for there would be no 4:30 pick-up due to predicted thunderstorms. The previous day, thunderstorms and lightning strikes had 40 people trying to get off the island on the early pick-up. Right now, our trip will have a 9:55 departure and a 1:30 pick-up. Maybe we can still hike the Wizard Summit trail to hike around the 90-foot crater at its summit.
We enjoyed the hike down Cleetwood Cove Trail where gravity was a big help. At the bottom at the boat dock, a sign was posted that our trip to Wizard Island was cancelled due to predicted weather conditions. NOooo!
We waited until the time of our tour when the captain and ranger-naturalist accommodated us with the 2-hour tour of Crater Lake.
Ranger Madelyn Rose told the story of Oregon Rose and the Temple of Boom while she directed our attention to the sights around the crater walls.
We stayed at Cleetwood Cove for awhile, watching daredevils jump into Crater Lake. We got our feet wet before we hiked out. It was a steep climb but we had plenty of water and digital space for photos when I rested.
Click Crater Lake, 27July 2010, Cleetwood Cove Trail and Boat Tour for more photos.

Crater Lake, 26 July 2010 Sunset photos

Sitting on the wall of this viewpoint was peaceful,quiet enough to hear my own heartbeat.
Breathe in;
breathe out;
enjoy this meditation;
be at peace.
Click Crater Lake, 26 July 2010 Sunset photos for more photos.

Crater Lake, 26 July 2010, Highway of the Waterfalls

We exited Crater Lake National Park and immediately entered Umpqua National Forest. We drove on Rt. 138 towards Diamond Lake and Roseburg, which is known as Highway of the Waterfalls. These viewpoints had picnic areas and trails.
When we got on I-5 in Roseburg and headed north, the land changed again to huge hills with golden grains growing on them and some orchards. No photos taken during the drive on the interstate.
We left the interstate near Eugene and got on Route 58 and entered Williamette National Forest. This road carries more commercial traffic so we shared the winding road with semi rigs and trailers. There was still some scenic viewpoints of distant mountains.
Click Crater Lake, 26 July 2010, Highway of the Waterfalls for more photos

Crater Lake, 26 July 2010, Pumice Desert

I found the thought of the Pumice Desert scary. The area now called Pumice Desert was seven miles from Mt. Mazama during the eruption. Even after 7,700 years, very little vegetation grows because the soil lacks vital nutrients. Lack of water is not a problem in this desert as there is plenty of water under ground.
Click Crater Lake, 26 July 2010, Pumice Desert for more photos.

Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Fossil Fumaroles, Sunsets over Upper Klamath Lake

Fossil fumaroles are formed by the same volcanic action as the Pinnacles we saw this morning. These are in Godfrey Glen and have been eroded by Annies Creek.
We drove a scenic byway, Oregon 62 and Route 97, to Klamath Falls. The views were of Oregon's cattle ranching country, but we did not plan to stop to take many pictures.
The sunset views over Upper Klamath Lake and Sun Pass changed our mind.
Click Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Fossil Fumaroles, Sunsets over Upper Klamath Lake for more photos.

Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Watchman Peak Trail

Watchman Peak Trail is a moderate 1.4- mile hike round-trip. A trail was cut through the snow. The peak's historic fire lookout was built in 1932, and it is still staffed at times by rangers today.
Click Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Watchman Peak Trail for more pictures.

Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Rim Village, Discovery Point

After lunch at Crater Lake Lodge, we walked on a paved trail behind the lodge and then headed the other direction to view Crater Lake from Sinnott Memorial. Many displays of information helped us identify Devil's Backbone, a 1300ft long ribbon of lava. We started our Rim Drive again and stopped at Discovery Point. The bird we later identified as Clark's Nutcracker was large and imposing.
Click Crater Lake, 25 July 2010, Rim Village, Discovery Point to see more photos.

Crater Lake, Kerr Notch

Kerr Notch is the second glacial valley from which Phantom Ship can be viewed. It disappears into the reflection.
Pumice Castle
Cloudcap is the highest elevation on Rim Drive at 7685 ft.
Mt. Scott is the highest mountain in the park.
We ate lunch at Crater Lake Lodge dining room.
Click Crater Lake, Kerr Notch for more pictures.

Crater Lake, waterfalls along Rim Drive and Pinnacles Trail

Not all waterfalls along Rim Drive are named. The average snowfall is 530 inches and it provides water for some spectacular waterfalls in midsummer.
Erosion exposed The Pinnacles whose walls were cemented by heat and chemical actions. The Pinnacles Trail went along the edge of the cliff out of the national park and into a National Forest.
Click Crater Lake, waterfalls along Rim Drive and Pinnacles Trail for more pictures.

Crater Lake, July 25, Sun Notch Trail

Sun Notch is one of two glacial valleys of the original Mt. Mazama that were truncated when the volcano exploded about 7,700 years ago. It is a pleasant 0.5 mile up to the rim from where we have a good view of Phantom Ship on Crater Lake.
Click Crater Lake, July 25, Sun Notch Trail for more pictures.

Crater Lake, July 25, Vidae Falls

We began the second day with a plan to tour East Rim Drive with several stops for photos and walks. This was our first stop.
Click Crater Lake, July 25, Vidae Falls to see more pictures.

Crater Lake July 24, 2010

Our vacation began with flights from Dayton to Chicago, to San Francisco and to Medford, Oregon. In Medford we rented the car for the drive to Mazama Village Motor Inn which is inside Crater Lake National Park. We could not wait to take a quick ride on the Rim Drive for quick views from some of the scenic viewpoints. Click Crater Lake July 24, 2010 for more photos.