Pikes Peak and Denver city with Mum.....

We had two weekends with Mum in Colorado..the first was spent in the south west of Colorado and the following weekend we stayed in the local area. Saturday was an absolutely glorious day and we knew Sunday was going to be overcast, so decided to head up to Pikes Peak...a 14'er...that mum and I weren't prepared to climb unless it was in a car!! (and because we read there were Big Foot in the area!)

It is a 31km climb up the mountain with major switchbacks that are called "The W's" due to the shape they make on the side of the mountain. It was a superb road that was fully sealed in October, 2011.  I had wanted to go up all year, but it is closed during winter and we had been so busy throughout the rest of the year. Now you're probably wondering how many photos can one person take of a road going up a mountain? Well let's see!!

It turns out one person can take over 200 photos of a road going up a mountain (and of a sunset out the back at home...glad I got to sneak that one in Margaret!!) and I have only subjected you to a few!

Sunset out the backyard at home...

  The road wasn't scary at all...if you were on the driver's side!! (I wasn't on the driver's side!!)

...it had been cleared of snow and felt really safe and the views were absolutely magnificent.

2 semi frozen lakes in the distance...

Mum was determined not to get too close to the edge, which at some places was a sheer drop. It was pretty cold 1/2 way up...

and I loved the contrasting colours...red rock, white snow and blue, blue skies.....magical.

The view from the top was stunning,

 and bitterly, bitterly cold!

so we treated ourselves to some of the World Famous doughnuts you can buy from the top.  Apparently they are World Famous (just for you Jan!) as they are cooked at high altitude.  They were delicious and along with a lukewarm "Hot" Chocolate, it warmed us up!

Stu at the "actual" peak of Pikes Peak!

Mum and I both found the altitude difficult....hard to breathe, swaying rooms, light headed, headache...not a pleasant feeling and one I always get when I start to go any higher than bloody Denver!! (I even get it in Denver sometimes!!) So we were pleased to begin the descent to lower ground (which is actually almost on a par with the top of Kosciusko!!)  Go figure!

We were happy to see we had visited another "World Famous landmark" in the US..(there are many!)

There was a "Santa's Workshop" at the bottom of the mountain that mum was determined to visit as she got in for free!! So Stu and I begrudgingly let her go and play and we waited in the car for hours!! Nah, just kidding. (She insisted on paying as she doesn't look like she is a day over 60!  Just kidding again!!!)

After dragging Mum back into the car and promising her she could go to Santa's Workshop "next time", we stopped at a reservoir, which was so beautiful..water, snow and trees...a great mix!

Driving through Manitou Springs we saw this interesting building....I'm sure the views from the chairs at the top are good!

and I just liked these places we saw in the local area!

So it was a glorious day and we were so glad we had gone up the mountain on the Saturday, as Sunday was cold, cold, cold and drizzly...a good day to go into the city.
First stop...an inner city park where we came across a group of Muggles playing Quidditch...complete with proper brooms and the 3 hoops.  We couldn't quite work out who was the Seeker, Keeper, the 2 Beaters or the Chasers, but they were using a Quaffle and maybe a Bludger!  The Snitch was so fast we didn't actually see it!  Joshuah later told me they were Muggles as they were actually humans, not wizards and witches and therefore couldn't fly.  It all made sense??? NOT! Anyway, it certainly was a sight to see!!!

The drive through the park was lovely, not many people about (too bloody cold!)..

and beautiful Autumn colours.

Downtown Denver was very quiet which was great and we were able to have a wander around without the hassle of crowds.

"Shirl" the Sherriff bought herself some delightful memento's from a Chinese/Western/Colorado shop....nice Mum!!

Stu dressed up as he does at any opportunity.....

 

and we headed back out of the city,

 ready for mum to do some cleaning with this particularly large dustpan and brush!  Good job Mum!!

We were so glad Mum got to Denver and it was great to be able to show her the places we have come to love, she could see where we are living and meet some of the people we have met.  She is truly an amazing woman travelling as much as she does and she is now in the UK with Elizabeth and will be home 4 weeks before we get home.  Safe travels Mum and see you soon!!!