We Love Ewe

Pictured here are big horn sheep on the side of Pikes Peak — above is a female (ewe) with three little ones (lambs). This day we were fortunate to see many ewes along the side of the road leading up to the peak. 

In the second photo you can see the visitor's center atop Pike's Peak (14,115 feet) (Click photo to enlarge).

Ewes typically lives 10-14 years and weigh between 125-200 pounds. It is estimated that only 145 big horns live on Pike's Peak (2019). 

excellence

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence;
but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.
- Henry Ward Beecher

Above: Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the distance.

This was taken from the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, which I highly recommend -- for the educational displays and video and for the views!

gratitude

I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.  --Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

I took this photo on a Thanksgiving trip to Colorado Springs a couple years ago. I kept waiting for the sidewalk to clear of visitors. It never did. But I realized it was nice to have people in the shot taking in the beauty of the Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background. Such a stunningly gorgeous place to visit!

Climb Ev'ry Mountain

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it. 

--Andy Rooney (1919-2011) American journalist.  

Above: A view of Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the distance. 

Gratitude

When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive. 
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American writer and philosopher.

Above: Another view of Pikes Peak from Black Forest in Colorado Springs.

beckoning grandeur

The mountains are calling and I must go.
--John Muir (1838-1914) Naturalist and Conservationist.

Pikes Peak, at 14,115 feet, dominates the skyline of Colorado Springs. This view was found north of the city near Black Forest. 

rosy sunset

If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. 
--G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) English Author.

Above: Pikes Peak silhouetted by a rosy sunset -- as seen from Black Forest, north of Colorado Springs.

rise above

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.

--Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) South African anti-apartheid activist who was jailed for 27 years; Following his release, Mandela was elected President of South Africa. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Not my best photographic technique on display here. This is Pikes Peak through the windshield on my way from the Denver airport to the Springs for another visit (And no, I wasn't driving!). So excited to see the mountain rising above the clouds! [click photo to enlarge]. Highway 83, which runs from Denver to Colorado Springs, offers some fantastic views of the front range.

breathe deep

We ought to take outdoor walks, to refresh and raise our spirits by deep breathing in the open air. 
--Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC-AD 65) Roman philosopher and statesman.

Above: Visitors taking in the open air and beautiful sights of Garden of the Gods.

Crystal Creek Reservoir

If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. 
--Doug Larson (b. 1926) Newspaper columnist.

Above: Boy fishing at Crystal Creek Reservoir.

This lake is part of the North Slope Recreation Area, containing 3 reservoirs which supply water to Colorado Springs. This particular reservoir has a surface area of 136 acres with 3.3 miles of shoreline and is a great place for picnicking, fishing, non-motorized boating and hiking. As you drive up the Pikes Peak Toll Road, this lake will be on your left and is easily accessed. To see my previous post on Pikes Peak click here.

purple mountain majesties

O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 

America! America! 
God shed His grace on thee, 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea!

--Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) American songwriter.

Photos from my recent trip to Colorado Springs (pop. 416,427) -- a beautiful city located at the base of Pikes Peak (14,115 feet).  It was a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893 that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write "America the Beautiful". There are two ways to reach the summit, the first is to drive there along a very steep, winding 19 mile toll road (which is what we did), the second is to take the cog railroad up the mountain. Click here to see the live view from the summit.

As you can imagine, the weather at 14,000+ feet can be pretty severe. They've already had snow! Fortunately for us, the day we went it was a balmy 58 degrees at the top.  Click here to see the current conditions. [click photos to enlarge]

Favorite places we visited in Colorado Springs:
Pikes Peak
Garden of the Gods
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
US Air Force Academy Chapel
Lake Pueblo