Pike's Peak, Colorado

  Pike’s Peak, what a place! It was always on my bucket list to go down this mountain on my bike. Well I happened to be in Colorado training. The first night I looked out my window and I saw this beautiful mountain stretch into the clouds. It was my first time in Colorado so I really was just in awe the whole trip. Why you ask, well let me tell ya. Colorado was like a religious experience. I was on the road a great deal, it was beautiful with majestic landscapes. The snow was melting which caused creeks to turn into raging rivers. The rivers turned into wild tumultuous currents that created a path of destruction carving new channels along the mountain side. In some parts, the river was so smooth, it was like looking in a mirror and seeing the blue sky, white and grey Aspens swaying in the breeze. But there was no doubt to the strength of the river.     Then, I witnessed God’s great magnificent creatures. I had no idea that elk were so huge. Some were bigger than an average suv and they traveled in herds. Also saw herds of buffalo. (also freak’n huge) There were also marmots. Fury creatures that whistle at the sight of danger. I also got lost on the Lewis and Clarke trail, but it was so beautiful I did not care.       We were riding along , looked across the range where I could see antelope foraging for food. Then, I spotted a cowboy on a horse, chaps and hat with a dog running around him. Further down the road we could see the tips of the mountain disappearing in the clouds in front of us. I could go on but let me tell you about Pike’s Peak.     Your at the bottom of the mountain. It is 68 degrees out. They tell you to layer up because it gets cold at the top. We all load into the cog railway. It has a guide that tells you about the history of the mountain, the animals, trees, buildings that are run down and look haunted . You putt along, Your so excited you just want to get to the top. But again the scenery is captivating. As you near the top the crystal, clear lakes blind you with beauty. You look in hopes to find a mythical creature lurking in the depths because everything there is just so unbelievable. Finally, you get to the top. The temperature dropped about 30 degrees, the wind is howling, and you see some more marmots. You are so ecited you can’t wait. I am wearing a t-shirt ,sweat shirt ,jacket and gloves. Still freezing but ready to go.     Remember we are almost 15,000 feet up. The air is thin up here. OMG, the ride down was everything I imagined. It had a lot of switchbacks, the paths were narrow. You looked over the side to a 4000 foot drop most of the time. Sucking for oxygen at first. I actually got an altitude high. Eventually, started getting warm
and peeled off the layers. I had so much fun , I can’t even tell ya how long it took. All I know is wow. Colorado rocks! I would do it again in a heartbeat.