The next day had become sunny and was in the lower 60's, so a much better improvement. We went to the Jack Quinn Pub and I must say that pub is great. (Thanks for the suggestion). They have the absolute best fish and chips I have ever tasted, and I just returned from Scotland!

Wednesday was sunny and the lower 70's so I decided it was a good day to go visit Garden of the Gods. I drove over there after work (as suggested) and had plenty of time to hike a few trails and take some great photos. It is definitely a beautiful area but nothing that I haven't seen before in other Southwest locations. For instance, there are more impressive rock formations in Texas at Palo Duro than there.

Thursday was sunny and lower 80's so even better, so I made an attempt to go to the top of Pike's Peak. Unfortunately, I got there too late (they close at 3PM). I know y'all had told me the time it closes but I had somehow remembered it as 4 and not 3.

So, instead I decided to walk around Manitou Springs a bit. I found the town quite nice, I walked around the train depot a bit and then throughout downtown. I ended up eating at Adam's Mountain Cafe. They were decent but really the only thing that was memorable was the beer, cappucini and the views of the river. Other than that, the entree and even dessert were just average. I started eating outside but then a storm was brewing and I checked my iphone and it said a big thunderstorm was brewing so I had dessert indoors after having eaten dinner outdoors.

Next day Pike's Peak... To be continued.

So, the weather was lousy on Friday, overcast and temps in the 40's. I knew that it wasn't the best day to visit Pike's Peak, but heck, even when it was 80 at CO Springs it was still 32 up at Pike's Peak so I figured it would be cold no matter what and the heater was working well in my car so no problem there.

So I left about 12:30 or so and then headed on up the mountain. I found it quite interesting ascending the mountain, could see the different climate zones from montane to subalpine to alpine. There was an interesting reservoir (very low) that was up there as well.

The weather got worse and worse up the mountain, until the fog was thicker than pea soup. Finally, a ways above the alpine area I ascended above the clouds and it was quite sunny. It was at this altitude that I noticed my breathing was becoming more labored.

I stopped at the parking lot up there and took a picture of the statue and looking down at the fully socked in fog below. You basically couldn't see anything below except clouds but it was neat to know you were "above the clouds". It was below freezing, around 28 degrees, quite cold especially with the wind chill.

I went into the gift shop and ordered their donuts and hot chocolate. I have to say the donuts were out of this world good. Apparently, the altitude gives the donuts a wonderful crispy flavor. They were the best donuts I've ever had. The hot chocolate was ordinary but it was nice to drink it, my body needed something hot. The gift shop is nice and cozy, a great spot to relax in while up there.

I went down the mountain the same way I went up. It was nice to finally see trees and greenery at lower elevations. I particularly liked seeing the Spruce trees and such. Those trees don't live down here in Texas.

From there it was off to the airport for the flight back home.

I'll have another post with more details about what I liked and disliked and also some info on the hotel.

Glad it all worked out.

Weather in CO is unpredictible at best. It was in the upper 80's when I visited in March and April this year...strange as March is usually CO's snowiest month.

<For instance, there are more impressive rock formations in Texas at Palo Duro than there.>

Maybe, but Texas doesn't have PIKES PEAK!

Glad you enjoyed Jack Quinn's pub and I will tell my ole AF Academy classmate they are still carrying on the grand tradition. http://www.jackquinnspub.com/

Shame that Pikes Peak wasn't clear as the photo ops up and down are amazing. My wife just kept telling me to pull over here, and here, and here..................

Keep it coming! Looking forward to reading more detail about impressions of Colorado Springs itself.

I've read about those donuts and have never quite believed it. Aaarghh, it might be time to make another trip up Pike's Peak just to try the donuts.

Okay, first about the hotel. I'm a Marriott Rewards member so I always try to stay at Marriotts, especially on business, so I can get those points and stay on my vacations for free. So this time I stayed at the Residence Inn North off Federal Drive.

The hotel was nice, nice big free breakfast, comfortable bed, and the staff was very friendly. The first two nights I was there I actually had the fire going in the fireplace as it was a little chilly. That added to the atmosphere.

My only complaint is that they didn't give any lotion and it's so bone dry in Colorado Springs. I have medicated lotion for eczema patches but I need enough lotion to cover my whole body while in Colorado. So, my body is still recovering because of that. I mean, hotels in humid New Orleans have lotions and you don't need it there, in Colorado lotion should be standard.

The second thing is the hotel room was so dry and there was no way to humidify it. There was an exhaust fan that flicked on automatically with the shower so no running the shower to steam up the hotel room and add some humidity. I realize the dryness isn't Marriott's fault but they perhaps should have humidifiers for every room in that climate. Several times I woke up in the middle of the night with a severely dry mouth and had to drink a cup or two of water.

The breakfast buffet was great, as I expect of Residence Inns. I would stay there again.

More to come on overall impressions of Colorado Springs.

<it's so bone dry in Colorado Springs.>

It sure is. I'm from Colorado, but haven't lived there for about 12 years. My skin and lips just want to curl up and die when I go back. I usually have to sleep with a wet washcloth on my face for the first few weeks and I go through lotion by the gallon.

I'd imagine it's quite a shock to someone from Austin.

Okay, now for Colorado Springs impressions - hold on to your hat, just kidding

I actually enjoyed Colorado Springs quite a bit. Colorado Springs has the greenery/trees that are absent in Denver. In ways, Colorado Springs is the way I would have expected Denver to look like, scenery wise over 15 years ago when I first visited Denver. Unfortunately, I've always been disappointed with Denver, maybe it had so much to live up to.

So fast forward 15 years and the first time for me to visit CO Springs and my expectations weren't high at all. I expected a little conservative CO town on the Great Plains, totally flat except with some mountains in the distance. Instead, I got a picturesque town nestled in the foothills of the Rockies.

I knew that CO Springs was conservative, but if you know me, when in Rome do as the Romans, so I decided to listen to a Christian Rock station there. Now, I have never really listened to that kind of genre, but I figured if there was a place that might do that genre right, it was CO Springs and I was right. I listened to 103.1 and I tell you that Chris August song Battle Part 2 could go head to head with any song. I didn't know what I was missing out on until I heard that station! Before you start thinking I'm some right wing conservative, please note that I'm about as liberal as they come. But I never knock good music when I hear it, whether it be Jazz, Rock and Roll, Gospel, or even Christian.

I have a giant trip planned to Yellowstone this summer, driving from Texas, and I plan to stay in CO Springs again. I may visit Denver as well during that time, but only to go to a Rockies game. I will bring a giant jar of lotion though

You didn't mention visiting the Air Force Academy or the Olympic Training Center. I would recommend both if you're returning!

We went in August, and a wellknown hotel called the Broadmoor put on a a classic car show. The cars paraded to the Garden of the Gods and then parked at a nature park center nearby. Quite a good show, if you like that sort of thing.

<I expected a little conservative CO town>

Well, you got the conservative bit right.

I've watched my hometown change considerably over the past 30 years, and nothing shocks me more than how religious and conservative it has become. There's nothing quite like leaving home and then going back and seeing it through fresh eyes.

Thanks for sharing your trip bkluvsNola.

As for that giant jar of lotion, I highly recommend Udderly Smooth

Along with the lotion think about bringing a saline nasal mist such as Ayr. You might get a bit more humidity this summer if you drive through during monsoon season.

Melnq8,

I really think CO Springs is a diamond in the rough. It is absolutely underrated while Denver is overrated.

wtm003,

During the night, I would have fits of sneezing due to the dry air and my nasonex and astepro came in handy. They also moisturize it a bit too.

I somewhat rectified the dryness in the room by the end of the week by filling the tub with hot water overnight and keeping the door to the bathroom open. Guess what, by morning the bathtub water had already evaporated! Now that's dry.

Did that tub trick work? I'll have to give it a try next time I'm home. My nasal passages were seriously unhappy.