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arden of the Gods and Other Wonders in Colorado Springs By Scott Kendall
When my son received orders to Colorado Springs a few years ago, he was excited about his new duty station. The Space Force had moved him to Peterson Air Force Base, and he was pretty excited about his new job as well as his new digs.6 in My wife and I have been lucky to visit him several times over the past few years. As someone who always likes to explore new environs, our extended time in Colorado Springs gave me ample opportunity to explore to my heart’s content. In this article, I am highlighting the fabulous Garden of the Gods National Park as well as several other top level attractions in Colorado Springs.
Garden of the Gods Noted by many tourists and travel experts as one of the most beautiful parks in the nation, Garden of the Gods is aptly named. When Colonel James Palmer ’s descendants donated this magical piece of God’s handiwork to the city, it proved to be a priceless gesture. Visitors can drive, hike, and bike through this treasure trove
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of natural wonders – all for free Unique rock formations include Kissing Camels, Balanced Rock, Siamese Twins, and other oneof-a-kind natural rock structures. On several occasions, I have been lucky to be in the park at sunrise or sunset, when the sun glistens off the red rock surfaces, radiating a brilliance that has to be seen in person to truly see and feel this magical sight
Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain After searching high and low in a tough housing market, my son was able to buy a house near base that had an awesome view of Pikes Peak from his living room and back porch. Each morning I was in town, I enjoyed my morning coffee looking out at the purple majesty of the Rocky Mountains. The new cog railway in nearby Manitou Springs whisks guests up to the 14,000 plus summit of America’s Mountain in about an hour. This modern cog railway, the highest in the world, makes the summit more
accessible to the many tourists, as well as locals, who take in this natural attraction.
The Manitou Incline One of the most unique and challenging trails in the US, the Manitou Incline is a hugely popular attraction in nearby M a n i t o u S p r i n g s . Wi t h a gradient up to 68 percent, and an average rise of 45 percent, this hiking trail attracts Olympic athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday people from around the world. With the high elevation and steep climb, this trail can challenge even the most t athlete Red Rock Canyon Open Space Just a few miles south of Garden of the Gods is picturesque Red Rock Canyon Open Space. This 1,474 acre outdoor playground is very popular with hikers and rock climbers (with permit) who want to get their exercise while viewing the beautiful landscapes of Colorado Springs. You can even bring your dog. With 11 marked trails ranging from 1.7 miles to 5.4
