Big Rocks, Big RED Rocks

Well, the morning started out pretty chilly and overcast, so we dug out our jackets and made our way "down" to The Garden of the Gods."  I say down, because 1) it's South, and typically, that's down on a map, and 2) we are camped at the Air Force Academy, which is about 7258 feet up, and The Garden of the Gods is only 6400 feet up.  It is only about 40 minutes' drive, and it was still chilly and overcast when we arrived.  This is the view we had from the Visitors' Center.

This was probably my favorite formation - Kissing Camels.  Can you see them?

No?  Here they are a little closer up. 

The South Gateway 

Just some friends we met along the way.  We pulled off to watch them, but several cars zoomed past and never saw 'em! I guess that's one advantage of being retired...we can take as much time as we like, watching wildlife.  But, really, why would you visit such a magnificent place and not take the time to really see what's all around you?

The paths were well marked and well maintained. This particular path was defined as moderate, and led up the formation called Siamese Twins.

These are the Siamese Twins, and it's said that you can see Pike's Peak through that window.  There were a couple of ways to get up there, and in fact, we did see several people sitting in that window, but, um, well, you know.  It's pretty high up, and lots of loose rock to get up there.  I refrained.  We're actually darned lucky we have these photos, and all the others.  After I took the photo above, of the steps, I slipped my camera into my pocket.  And, apparently, it fell out, unnoticed, almost immediately.  When I went to take the photo below, obviously, I couldn't find my camera.  Instant panic!! We started retracing my steps all around the rock formation, asking other visitors if they had seen my little blue camera.  One kind gentleman said, YES, he had just seen it, down the path, and hanging on a tree limb.  Whew!  We headed back down the path, down the steps, and around the corner, and BAM!  There it was, just as he said, hanging off a branch.  Some good and honest person must have seen it on the ground, and knowing I'd be back for it, hung it up so it would not get trampled and be more easily seen.  Lucky me!

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We saw signs like this sprinkled throughout the park.  I never professed to be a technical climber, nor do I have proper gear, so, most assuredly, I stayed primarily on the sidewalk.

I must admit, I did read this sign. 

And then proceeded to climb up and on this formation...

To get this picture... 

Thank Goodness for Zoom lenses.  I was able to stay at the base and zoomed right up close!

This photo shows the path water takes as it runs down the formation; that's where all the trees are growing.

Check out these climbers - they, apparently, HAVE proper equipment.  A lots more courage than I.

This is Balancing Rock; can you see the young man posing under the edge there?  This area, including this rock, used to be private, and the owner set up a photography business, allowing people to pose in front of the rock and charged them 25 cents for the photo.  His wife even set up a small cafe and sold sandwiches to their visitors.

The street, narrow that it is, runs right between Balancing Rock and Steamboat Rock, and the young lady you see in the photo below belongs to the young man you see in the photo above.  They took their sweet time taking photos of each other.  Maybe they're retired too?  Or just inconsiderate of others that might also wish to take a photo, without them.  

It was here that a huuuge group of Japanese tourists joined us.  One of their party tried to wrangle them all into a line, posing in front of the Balancing Rock to take a group photo.  He spoke not a lick of English, but I managed to convey to him that I would be happy to take their photo so that he could join the party.  He looked a little confused at first, but seemed grateful when he finally got the meaning of my gestures.  But there were sure plenty of "arigatos" afterwards!!  

On the way back to the campground, we saw a sign for Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and being as we are still in August, our pass was still valid, so, being retired and having lots of time on our hands, we went.  Wasn't too much to see from the car.  There were lots of biking and hiking trails though, and if we wanted, there were 3 trails connecting the various camping areas that puppy was permitted on.  I'm pretty sure that she was prohibited from all the other trails for her own safety, and we were happy to comply with that regulation!

This was the view from one of the empty campsites.  Those buildings are Fort Carson.  And of course, we can't pass up the chance to tour a commissary!  Off we went! 

We found the BX (Base Exchange) first, and oh, my.  I'm sure glad I had the puppy with me - it was huuuuge!  Overwhelmingly so!  We walked around, and around, and around.  They didn't have much stuff in the way of Army swag - not at all like the Air Force.  Air Force stores are well stocked with sweatshirts, T-shirts, stuffed animals, drinkware, pens, cards, oh gosh, you name it, and you'll find it.  Not so in the Army store - there were a few kids' T-shirts (I especially liked the one that said My Dad's Other Car is a Tank), a few mugs, and maybe some stickers, we can't really remember.  Nothing we had to have, and certainly, nothing we wanted to make room for.  After asking around, and maybe even a wrong turn or two, we found the commissary.  As is customary, it was FREEZING inside.  We were only looking for sesame oil and HOT sesame oil, but even so, we found only the plain.  Made our purchase and skedaddled.  I had the bright idea of looking for an Asian Market, and lo and behold, I found one, only about 7 miles away!  Thank you Google Maps!  We made our way there but still didn't find any hot sesame oil.  Bummer.  Looks like we might have to do without our Egg Roll In A Bowl for a while.  Of course, we used up the last of our good sausage a couple of nights ago, so, we were gonna go without anyway.  Oh well, we're camping, so we'll rough it.  LOL

So, all our Florida friends are battening down the hatches as Hurricane Dorian approaches.  I know Lolly and Allen are on the road, traveling back to Inverness, hoping to get home in time for an online auction of farm equipment.  Allen has his eye on a rock picker.  A rock picker???  Really, Allen, don't you already have a couple?  Right there at the end of each arm!  Ba-hahaha!  Ed & Evelyn are up in Vermont; I think they are planning to ride out the storm right there.  Gail & Gary are up in NC, and I know they have plans to meet up with Tim & Staples.  I'm sure there will be some stories told and laughter shared over delicious Tin Tin Chinese buffet.  

And, speaking of Tim & Staples, here is their lovely daughter-in-law in her own front yard.  Staples had mentioned that they lived right near Garden of the Gods, and that we would be able to park right by their house to visit the Rock Ledge Ranch.  Keep in mind, we've never met Amanda, so I'm sure it surprised her greatly when I called out her name!  We had a nice meet and greet, and bless her heart, she invited us to dinner that evening!  Now, that's a true Southern gal (if I recall correctly, she's from Kentucky) for ya!  

That's it for now...next stop is Miramount Castle and Manitou Springs.  Y'all stay safe and dry!