Colorado Springs - Day 6

We waited all week to be able to head up to the top of Pike's Peak.  Because of the snow last week, the last few miles of the road were not clear.  As of yesterday they finally were able to reach the top with the plows, so we headed up there this morning.  It was well worth the wait.  Our last visit was in 2007 when we had just four kiddos, so this was Elijah's first time.

Heading up:

It's 19 miles up and with more hairpin turns that you can count!

We made it! I don't want to know what the temperature was with the wind chill.  It was COLD!  The views were incredible.  It really felt like we were on top of the world, being able to see in all directions.  Simply amazing.

The line of the Rockies was stunning.  I wish I could have captured it all in one picture, but there was no way.

BRRR!

We didn't stay at the top long, only visiting the gift shop briefly.  We were all feeling just a bit dizzy and light-headed.  We drove almost the whole way down in first gear, still having to use the breaks once in a while.  

As I wrote yesterday, Catherine Bates penned the words to America the Beautiful from the top of Pike's Peak.  It's easy to understand why when you stand at such a magnificent place.

We finished out our day with a bit of shopping and now we're getting baths/showers and all packed up for the trip home tomorrow.  It's all downhill from here, back to reality.  We're so thankful for this week we've had together, the slower pace, the beauty around us, the benefit of homeschooling so that we can be on vacation when the rest of the crowds aren't, and the blessing of a job that Chris enjoys and that provides for our family.