Garden of the Gods- Colorado

GARDEN OF THE GODS

ANOTHER SHOT AT THE ENTRANCE

KISSING CAMELS

ANOTHER CLOSE-UP OF THE KISSING CAMELS

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE KISSING CAMELS

CATHEDRAL VALLEY

CATHEDRAL VALLEY

ANOTHER SHOT OF CATHEDRAL VALLEY

BALANCED ROCK

STEAMED BOAT

STEAMED BOAT AND BALANCED ROCK

Trying to push the big rock while the guy who's wearing green was trying to carry the big rock hehehe

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Road Trip: 

Continuation on our road trip from Washington to Florida:  From Yellowstone we drove up to Thermopolis, Wyomng for about 2 hours and stayed there overnight.   

I was looking for a place that we can drive by and see some scenic views for few minutes before heading to our next stop.  I came across this Garden of the Gods when I was surfing the internet.  It's pretty obvious that we never had a specific itinerary hehehe (except the Yellowstone and going to Orlando) so we opted to go to Colorado instead of driving to Nebraska (we are talking here "states" on what to take to get to Florida and not specific freeways or roads hehehe).  

So while we were on our way to Colorado,  my husband asked my daughter if she wants to see her best friend in Kansas, without any hesitation she excitedly answered "yes."  Then we called our friends in Kansas and surprised them that we're planning to visit them on our way to Florida if that's ok with them (weird huh? so spontaneous lol), lucky they're very kind and happy to see us :-)

It took us 7 hours to get to Colorado Springs from Wyoming, we stayed overnight at the Springhill Suite Marriott and the next day we went to Garden of the Gods.  My husband allotted us to spend only 1 hour there otherwise we may get to Kansas too late in the evening and not to mention my friends prepared dinner for us.

June 20, 2013- Garden of the Gods,  Colorado

Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  It is a free public park and designated as a National Natural Landmark.

The natural red rock formations really amazed me upon seeing them, a breathtaking view to see and experience.  It really shows how great God is.

The area was first called Red Rock Corral.  One of the surveyors, M. S. Beach, suggested that it would be a "capital place for a beer garden." His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, "Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods."- Wikipedia

We drove around and took some pictures but we never had the chance to hike on the different trails that park offers.  I missed to see a lot of rock formations such as the "Siamese Twins, " "Sleeping Giant," "Tower of Babel," "Signature Rock," and many more.  Some of them we have to walk up the trails to see them and that limit us to see only the rock formations along the road. 

It was so hot that time and my kids didn't want to go out from the car.  From Washington cold weather to real summer in Colorado, that made them feel so uncomfortable to go out, still adjusting the weather. So after driving by and taking pictures of the balanced rock we headed straight to Kansas.

it's me trying to open the Gate of the Garden of the Gods lol

Next post, Tennesee!