Brrrr!

A Cold Colorado Visit

Sometimes we have to be adults and take care of business which is why we are in Colorado during a snow storm. Sure we could have been sensible and picked another week but...

A day early departure from Grand Junction was in order since a snow storm and strong winds were blowing in.

We had considered becoming residents of South Dakota to avoid state income taxes and lower registration on our vehicles. But the higher cost of insurance off set any savings since our Colorado income tax credit on retired people makes a difference. Avoiding jury duty would  be a benefit in South Dakota but we are ok with doing our civic duty, maybe it would have been better on a less winter like week. Next time we will avoid October thru April if possible.

We closed on a property while in Colorado  Now we can move on with our travels with less worry and encumbrance.

Two dangerous jobs combined. Two people being lowered from a helicopter to work on powerlines on the steep slopes Glenwood Canyon.

We made it over Vail Pass and the dreaded Eisenhower Tunnel before the next storm. You can tell when we have crossed into Colorado. Potholes.

We stayed at Chatfield State Park and were able to get a bike ride in once the roads were cleared while Tyler and Kyle were in school.

The sunshine and arctic clothes made for a nice ride after storm #1. There is a theme here.

A stop for ice cream with Tyler and Kyle is in order when we make it to Colorado.

Tyler and his baseball bobblehead for Halloween.

Kyle's almost finished baseball card costume. We left it on the floor so everything wouldn't fall off.

We braved the congested I 25 corridor south without incident. I don't miss that drive reminiscent of my San Francisco commute years ago.

 Colorado Springs has many hiking options near the RV park but the Garden of the Gods is a favorite for us. A peaceful walk through the gardens takes me back to visits with my great grandmother who lived in Old Colorado City more than a few years ago when I was a child. Then came snow storm #2.

Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark with dramatic views, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak.

The park’s famous red rocks formed millions of years ago due to upheavals in the earth’s surface and erosion. The rocks are conglomerates of red, pink, and white sandstones and limestone. 

Donated to the city by the founder of Colorado Springs, General Palmer, and his friend in the late 1800s, now totals 1,367 acres. It still is free and will always be “Kept forever free to the world.” 

We didn't expected to see many people on our walks. But the tourists who came to see the red rocks weren't letting a cold front hold them back.

 Storm 3#  brought in frigid weather with lows of 5F which gave the furnace a run for our money.

We took another walk to see the Balanced Rock which looked so much larger when I was a young girl visiting the GOG. I wonder what happened to the picture of my sisters and me sitting under the rock.

Fortunately, we made it out of Colorado before the "Big Beautiful Wall" was started and have moved on to New Mexico and less potholes and traffic.