Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak
Today we experienced the unexpected treat of a personal guided tour of the US Air Force Academy. Ethan was a wonderful tour guide. The Academy is beautifully situated in a valley with a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It covers approximately 18,000 acres. I know the cadets work hard, but according to Ethan, they are also pampered to excess. Though the 4500 cadets lead a charmed life in many ways, it doesn’t start out that way. For their first two months, the basics as they are called, live in tents in the forest.
On the Academy grounds is a Native American Ceremonial Site. To its credit, the Air Force works around the site at quite an expense. A public high school, an elementary school, and housing for Academy personnel are also located on grounds.
From the Academy, we drove through the quaint village of Manitou Springs at the base of Pike’s Peak. Bill drove the 19.2 miles to the top of Pike’s Peak. If you have a fear of heights as I do, you would not be entirely comfortable with this drive. The road is in great condition, though – just steep drop offs in some places and the feeling about ½ the way up that you are driving up into the sky – which you are! The first half of the drive was just beautiful. Aspens are now at their peak fall color which is between a yellow and a gold. When the leaves just begin to turn, they are yellow. Then they turn to a gorgeous yellowish gold. Bill’s photos will have to speak to the beauty they add to the mountains because I don’t have the words to do them justice.
By the time we neared the summit, tears of anxiety were sliding down my cheeks. I had to sit in the car awhile at the summit to compose myself before getting out to take in the breathtaking view. Bill doesn’t fear heights as I do and he did such a great job driving and trying to keep me calm at the same time. Coming down wasn’t nearly as bad.
Signing off till tomorrow, Bill and Marsha, never driving up Pike’s Peak again as long as I live!
On the Academy grounds is a Native American Ceremonial Site. To its credit, the Air Force works around the site at quite an expense. A public high school, an elementary school, and housing for Academy personnel are also located on grounds.
From the Academy, we drove through the quaint village of Manitou Springs at the base of Pike’s Peak. Bill drove the 19.2 miles to the top of Pike’s Peak. If you have a fear of heights as I do, you would not be entirely comfortable with this drive. The road is in great condition, though – just steep drop offs in some places and the feeling about ½ the way up that you are driving up into the sky – which you are! The first half of the drive was just beautiful. Aspens are now at their peak fall color which is between a yellow and a gold. When the leaves just begin to turn, they are yellow. Then they turn to a gorgeous yellowish gold. Bill’s photos will have to speak to the beauty they add to the mountains because I don’t have the words to do them justice.
By the time we neared the summit, tears of anxiety were sliding down my cheeks. I had to sit in the car awhile at the summit to compose myself before getting out to take in the breathtaking view. Bill doesn’t fear heights as I do and he did such a great job driving and trying to keep me calm at the same time. Coming down wasn’t nearly as bad.
Signing off till tomorrow, Bill and Marsha, never driving up Pike’s Peak again as long as I live!
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