Pike's Peak

Kel was very excited to ride the cog railway up Pike's Peak on Nic's birthday. And as I look back through these photos, I realize that there isn't a single one of the birthday boy himself. Bad wife. Can I plead altitude sickness?

Here's the boy and his cog railway replica starting the journey to the top.





The altitude soon became an issue! Ha ha. If only the antics of a six year old could so easily be explained.




The track started to climb right out of the station.






Its a lake behind trees. In case you needed explanation.






Still not above treeline, but the track is really climbing now!






This is my favourite shot from the day. Click to enlarge. You know you want to.






Kel was thrilled to see snow at the peak. Because he's weird.








Yes, the following photos were all taken far too close to a very steep drop. After he'd nearly given me a heart attack by climbing down there. He'd survived the dangerous bit, so what was the harm in snapping a few memories? After all, I'd climbed down there too.







I like the snow capped peaks waaaaaay off in the distance there.






Did you know that "America the Beautiful" was composed on Pike's Peak, as inspired by the view? Well, now you do.








The view from high above treeline.







These are the buffers to stop the trains at the very edge of a very large drop.

Royal Gorge

The Royal Gorge was a fun family day out. Something for everyone. There was an aerial tramway over the gorge, a crazy steep incline railway, a miniature railway, a carousel, an old west town, burro rides, wagon rides, a petting zoo, etc etc etc. Not to mention the views.

Kel loved "driving" an old miniature train engine near the railway.










We're not sure how we warped into 2011 for this particular part of our journey, but you'd hardly have noticed that it was a whole different year for the day. (click the photo to enlarge if you don't get it)





Kel rides Priscilla.







Nic holding Kel up to the "looker". So that he could look across the gorge and tell us about the "lookers" on the other side. Forget the view.





Standing above the old west town where we saw a real shoot-out on main street. Coveted blue trolley in the background.





Some photos of the scenic railway. We like trains.









The crazy steep incline railway. Lots of fun.

Pueblo

Our first stop in Pueblo was the river walk. Which, rather ironically, was mostly closed to foot traffic due to construction. So we decided to take the boat tour of the river walk and found out that we hadn't missed much. It was a pretty little stop in the historic downtown district, but nothing to rival Austin (upon which it was apparently based -- in as much as there was water there, perhaps).

Kel and Nic posing by a scenic water feature along the river walk.








Kel with the river behind him.






We also spent an afternoon at the Pueblo zoo.











These penguins were so funny. They could see you through the glass and would chase back and forth after you, playing penguin games.






How far can Kel jump? For the record, not very.







Outside of the zoo, there was a special event that day where the kids could look at police cars, fire trucks, swat vehicles, etc. Here's Kel in a Pueblo fire engine.






He was also quite taken with the helicopter. This was an army display maybe? Or National Guard?








Outside of the bull riding offices in downtown Pueblo. Yes, there are such offices. For bull riders. Hey, its a real job. Apparently.








Some flowers with an old Pueblo street behind.