After Garden of the Gods, we drove up Pike's Peak. The drive up is 19 miles, however, we were only allowed up to mile 16. After that point the snow and fog/clouds were too dense.
I am not sure what the elevation was at mile 16, but both Michael and I commented that we were breathing harder than normal. Even though the temperature was around 45 degrees, it didn't feel cold. The Park Ranger told us that the UV rays were extremely strong and said he applied sunscreen often.
Only Michael and I got out of the car at mile 16. Liz was sleeping soundly. Kate appeared to be in a trance due to the lack of oxygen at the high altitude. Her eyes were open and she responded to our questions in one word answers. She would occasionally blink and sometimes nod. Strange!
The variation in the environment as we descended Pike's Peak was fascinating. Rough, barren and grim at the higher altitudes versus lush and vibrant lower down.
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Later the same day, we went for a drive. I call it a drive because in my opinion we were just driving with an unknown goal/destination. I'll try to explain. Michael had heard from a co-worker that the view from Mount Baldy was spectacular. Michael said he did his research and it was only 5 miles from our current location. So, I agreed that we should go to Mount Baldy. Michael then told me that to get to Mount Baldy we would be driving off road. "Oh...." I said. An hour later after driving up a windy, bumpy and narrow mountain road, I became suspicious and doubtful. What did Michael know about this co-worker? Did he dislike Michael? Why weren't there any signs? Um, haven't we already driven 5 miles? Occasionally we would be passed by road worthy vehicles, that seemed to know exactly where they were going. Michael kept checking GPS. For what, I am not sure. Every time I looked at GPS I saw an unnamed road winding to no where.
We did come across a lookout point with a great view of Colorado Springs! Was this Mount Baldy? I tried to convince Michael. He was not convinced. He continued to intently study GPS while scratching his head and rubbing his chin. Meanwhile the girls and I explored the area.
After the unnamed lookout point, Michael convinced us to drive on. The road began to be less manageable; we were all bumping up and down and being jostled to and fro. I finally lost my cool and jokingly suggested that we turn around when we passed some men shooting at targets. (Apparently that is where the road worthy vehicles were headed; deep into the mountain to shoot off firearms). I did not find comfort in the fact that we were on an unnamed road, headed to an unnamed lookout point, which was very likely also a makeshift firing range. Michael graciously turned the truck around and we headed back down the mountain!
This was the view as we drove back down the unnamed road.
Liz was being dramatic in this picture. However, it accurately portrays my inner turmoil while looking for Mount Baldy. I felt like a small, helpless child who wanted to curl into the fetal position and rock myself to sleep.
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