Pikes Peak or Bust

This week I got to go on my favorite field trip. This was my fourth (and last...sniff...) time on this particular field trip, and it is always so much fun. I traveled with Maddie and her class to the top of Pikes Peak on the cog railroad. The day was amazingly beautiful! 80 degrees at the bottom of the mountain, with a cool fall breeze. We clanked and clunked up the hour and 15 minutes, passing through golden aspen groves, remains of mining shacks, and even a big horn sheep, deer and a red-tailed fox!

Maddie and I love history, especially American history, so this trip was right up our alley! We heard all about the early explorers in the area, the old hotel that weary travelers stayed at on their way to the summit, and stories of gold fever. All the while, watching the beauty of the mountain pass us by.

As the train pulled to a stop, we were greeted by the bluster of the wind, and the 37 degree awakening! Just a little reminder that, though we are enjoying a record-breaking warm autumn, old man winter isn't far away! We fully enjoyed our homemade donut and hot chocolate at the top, took in the vistas (we were told that being such a clear day, we could see 5 different states from our perch! Wow!), took some pictures and perused the gift shop.

Then it was time to hop back on the train and head back down the mountain. Now, where else but Colorado can a kid go on a field trip that takes them to 14, 110 feet?