I went (to Colorado, back in July), I saw (lots of) stuff, I went home
I uploaded photos on Sunday from my trip to Colorado in July. It was a whirlwind experience.
I drove to St. Louis on Thursday, met at my mom's where her, myself, my Gramma Sue and my mom's youngest brother, Kenny hitched a ride to the MetroLink station in East St. Louis. It took about two hours to get to Lambert airport and we ended up riding a total of four trains just to get there. Breaking down sucked, but at least our train car was under the shadow of a bridge. After that, we had to miss several train cars before finding one we could pack into. And at every stop, one person would get off and five more would get on. It was tightly packed and I was stuck next to a very smelly person who's armpit my nose was inches away from.
And that was the worst part about the whole trip.
Once we got to Lambert things went smooth. I even spied a piece of artwork that I'd never seen before.
Then time started moving fast.
Fly to Denver, land, meet up with my cousin Jeremy and wait for my Aunt Diana's flight from Kentucky. Pick up our rental van that holds seven passengers, drive to Jeremy's, snack and talk, get ready for bed.
Wake up Friday, eat breakfast, drive to Red Rocks, explore it, drive to Loveland Pass, explore it, stop at a gas station before driving past some wicked forest damage caused by mountain pine beetles on our way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ahh, Friday.... we easily covered 200 miles this day.
Red Rocks with Denver in the distance
Moose and some mountain pine beetle forest damage.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Saturday was much less hectic, but still with a lot of driving.
We drove from the suburbs of Denver to Canon City to take the train through the Royal Gorge before we headed to the bridge. And then we headed to Pikes Peak. We had to have been in the car for 300 miles that day.
Royal Gorge Bridge as seen while riding the train.
People rafting the Arkansas River while we rode the train.
The Royal Gorge Bridge is 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.
Looking between the boards of the suspension bridge. See the two rafts below?
That bridge was totally cool.
Well worth the visit.
That was fun. But we had to skee-daddle and make our way to Pikes Peak. The last ten miles or so, we were caught in a terrible hail and lightning storm. Thank you, Jeremy, for getting us to the top safely.
Photos cannot do the view justice.
I could see for miles.
Lots of switchbacks to make our way to 14,110 or -15 foot elevation and back down.
Oh, and hairpin turns, too.
On Sunday, four of us flew back to St. Louis and my Aunt Diana headed back to Kentucky. It was a quick visit but it was so nice to spend time with my family. Well, a portion of my family.
-------------------------------------------------------
Listening to: The Flaming Lips - Slow Nerve Action
-------------------------------------------------------
That trip looks like it was sa-weet! That bridge would've scared the poop out of me!
That was a great trip but ended way too soon, and even though I was there it kinda seems like a dream.
I think the drive to the top of Pikes Peak was probably one of the scariest experiences I've ever had...even beats out the storm on the flight home.
Great pictures!!! (and blog title!)
Cool pictures. I grew up in Colorado. It's a pretty state.
Oh, and also, thanks for letting me know about the mountain pine beetle. Now I have one more apocalyptic fear to deal with.