Garden of the Gods

Once again, we were back at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.  This time, we were prepared to do more hiking and to also include a picnic lunch in between the hikes.  It truly is an amazing city park, open to the public free of charge.  You can't beat a deal like that!

Kim, Tatum and Don check out the board before we take off on the Chambers/Bretag/Palmer trail, a 3 mile loop providing excellent views of the park.

Nate and Tatum discovered that the Soapweed Yucca plants were filled with Ladybugs.  Nate exclaimed that he had found a "double one" so I was obliged to take a picture of the two amorous insects.

 As we got to a top of the trail, the following view emerged.  The rusty orange of the gigantic rocks are a great contrast to the green pines, cottonwoods and blue skies.

Don, Kim and Ella headed down the trail as we worked our way back to the parking lot.

Time for a snack break, and a picture!

We headed for the Sleeping Giant rock,

and discovered a climber going up the sheer rock wall!  Not my type of activity!

 But Kim, Bret and their children have done many climbs, including Ella!  Below, Kim and Nate check out the rock for places they could place their hands or feet.  Technical climbers must register at the Visitor center and are permitted only with proper climbing equipment.

Okay, I think sometimes our Colorado grandchildren are part mountain goat!  They easily scaled the rock formations as I waited below.

 After lunch we took the Siamese Twins trail, named after the twin rocks seen below.

On the same trail is a unique rock with a large hole, perfect for either taking a picture of our grandchildren or....

providing a view of Pike's Peak!

No visit to Garden of the Gods would be complete without a stop at the Balancing Rock.  There were plenty of people waiting to take their turn at having their picture taken.  I snapped 3 quick pictures before we had the 3 grandchildren leave so someone else could take their place.  In the 1890's, this rock was on private property and tourists paid 25 cents each to have their picture taken.  Not much money today, but very expensive back then.