Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

GARDEN of the GODS, Colorado

Today,  I will share more from our western trip in September.  Charles Elliott Perkins purchased two-hundred and forty acres in the Garden of the Gods for a summer home in 1879.  He later added to the property, but never built on it, preferring to leave his wonderland in its natural state for the enjoyment of the public.  Perkins died in 1907 before he made arrangements for the land to become a public park, although it had been open to the public for years.

In 1909, Perkins' children, knowing their father's feeling for the Garden of the Gods, conveyed his 480 acres to the City of Colorado Springs.  It would be known forever as the Garden of the Gods "where it shall remain FREE to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed,  where no building shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park". 

If you want to read more information about the Garden of the Gods,  click HERE.   We had a fabulous visit there --so I wanted to share more photos with you today.  Sorry that the picture above and the last one below are not very good. It was almost dark when we took them.  Be sure to click on the photos to see enlargements.




We had a perfect day to be there... Isn't that a gorgeous sky?




These rock formations are amazing....  I just walked around with my mouth hanging open!!!!!!   I was in AWE of the area!




There are gorgeous walkways all around the area.  We enjoyed walking around with Sally and Jim.  (If you missed my blog about Sally and Jim,  check HERE.)




These rock climbers were amazing... I could never do that ---nor would I EVER try.... Yipes!!!!




Sally talked quite a bit about the big WHITE rocks.  Most people --including us--photograph the brown rocks, but don't stop to enjoy the white ones also. Isn't that a beauty?




There are many interesting birds in Colorado.   The top two are what are called Rock Doves... The one on the bottom --which you cannot see well is a White-throated Swift.  I also saw some Black-billed Magpies while there --but didn't get any good photos.




Sally took this photo of George and me while at the Garden of the Gods. As you can tell,  the temperatures warmed up some ---so we were able to shed our jackets.




George and I walked up to the top of a hill --and took some pictures looking down on the park.




Finally,  this is not a good picture since it was almost DARK.   Sally and Jim had told us where to drive to look down on the Garden of the Gods.  BUT--by the time we got there,  the sun had gone down behind that mountain.   You can get an idea of the total area though.   This place would be a fabulous place to get a photo with the sun shining on those big rocks.   We'll have to go back sometime.   WOW!!!!

We truly enjoyed our visit here.  Thanks again, Sally and Jim, for taking us to this beautiful place.  We are still re-living our wonderful trip through our photos.  Hope you are enjoying them too.

Prayers for ALL who had damage and/or lost so much in Hurricane Sandy...  Thank Goodness for Facebook and email ---as I worked hard to keep up with friends/family in the path of that storm.   God Bless ALL.

We never did get any snow (nor rain) here --but it has been COLD and WINDY.   Have a great day!

Hugs,
Betsy

56 comments:

pembrokeshire lass said...

What an awesome place to visit...quite incredible...there are really no words to use!! I loved the white rock against the blue sky it truly stood out! Thanks so much for taking us on this journey. Joan

Sharon said...

Garden of the Gods is a very special place for us. We were first there in 1997 during the single most difficult time of our entire marriage/life. We returned during summer trip 2011, took our annual "official" anniversary picture there and spent lots of time reflecting on how much we'd grown and changed. Yes, a very special place indeed!

MadSnapper said...

my mouth is hanging open just looking at the photos. awesome place. i love the pigeons shot.

Shug said...

Sam and I have driven past this place many times, but never seemed to have enough time to stop. Our kids have been and they absolutely loved it.
I'm sure that photos can not really do this place justice...it is so pretty and awesome! I love seeing the happiness on your faces! This means that the two of you are enjoying life to the fullest..
Hugs,
Shug

Neal said...

That is a beautiful place. You got a lot more good pictures than we did last year. We happen to be there on the weekend and there was no place to park. There are not many parking places to begin with. We did stop in the restaurant and get a buffalo burger.

Donna said...

The rocks there are something else. It's like walking on another planet! I've visited there several times, the first time as a broke college student and the last time on a business trip. No camera with me either time! Thanks for sharing!

We got wind, cold temperatures, and just a little rain here. Poor Gatlinburg got 22 inches of snow. Can you believe it?

Joe Todd said...

Beautiful land..

Janice K said...

Those red rocks with that deep blue Colorado sky are so stunning.

When I was there many years ago, I remember driving through on some rather treacherous roads.

I Am Woody said...

What an incredible place!!

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures, Betsy!! There were so many bikers in there while we we there, we had to watch the bikers more than the scenery! Good job with the photography!

Connie said...

What a beautiful area! You got some great pictures, Betsy. The rock formations are really amazing.

Latane Barton said...

that trip had to have been super amazing. And, to share it with your love!! Ah.. so special. I've loved all your photos. Thanks for sharing your journey with us all.

RoeH said...

Incredible things what nature can do.

Sally Wessely said...

Your photos turned out beautifully. I love them all. Too bad you didn't get up get a shot of the entire park before the sun set. The photo you put up was really very nice. I especially loved the photo of the white rocks. ;) I don't know why I love those rocks so much, but I do. It might be the juxtaposition of the white rocks cropping up among the red.

Thank you for bringing back memories of that happy, sunny day we spent with the two of you. It was a true blessing to be in this treasured spot with two treasured friends. Sending love your way.

Sylvia K said...

An awesome place indeed!! Such fantastic and dramatic colors and rock formations! It does look like a great trip and your photos are superb as always, Betsy!! Thanks for sharing the beauty and the fun! Hope your week is going well!! Enjoy!

Ms. A said...

They sure do look amazing against that blue, blue sky!

imac said...

It is - what it says it is.
Beautiful.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I think your pictures are beautiful, even the ones you apologized for. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, A really spectacular set of pictures. I have never been to that area of the West. It looks awesome! Have a great day tomorrow. Happy Halloween!

Betty Manousos said...

this is a terrific place i would love to visit some day.

thank you for this lovely pictorial tour though your beautiful photos, ear betsy.

happy halloween!

Betty Manousos said...

oops, sorry! i meant to say "dear" betsy.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Oh how I love seeing those towering red rocks!

Out on the prairie said...

Nice shots,I have climbed the 3 together.

happyone said...

A beautiful place.
We've been there when visiting our daughter and have took some of the same pictures that you did.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

It is a gorgeous place, for sure. Your wonderful photos are making me want to go back...soon!
Enjoy this last day of October!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Gorgeous pictures. I have been through this area,but it was so many years ago,I can't remember all the sights we saw. It is good to see them through your eyes.

Rose said...

I think my mouth would be hanging open, too...amazing place.

joy said...

love seeing all your trips and this one is wonderful too. Amazing pictures.
By the way we prayed also here for those that were affected by the storm Sandy.
Have a blessed week:)

Kay said...

Well that's a cool place. Reminds me of my Vasquez Rocks.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Yes, it does look like Santa Clarita's Vasquez Rocks, doesn't it? We spent a lot of time hiking and climbing there during the 29 years we lived in Valencia.

Betsy, these pictures are so gorgeous -- and, again, I'm so happy that you and Sally were able to meet and spend time together!

Ann said...

what an amazing place. I would be walking around with my mouth open too....lol I also would have stayed on the ground watching those climbers.

eileeninmd said...

What a beautiful place to visit. The rock formations are pretty, love the colors. Wonderful photos, Betsy!

Linda G. said...

Your photographs brought back good memories of the one time I visited Garden of the Gods. Perhaps your post will inspire me to get out the scanner, scan the pictures from my visit there, and post them so you and others can enjoy them too.

P.S. I received your Halloween card; loved it! I forwarded it to my stepdaughter, who I know will like it too.

Rohrerbot said...

We went to this place last year and had such a nice time. It's always full of color and birds! The Black Billed Magpie was one of my favorites and a real treat to spot around the rocks. Nice shots and looks like yet another fantastic day of walking and exploring:)

Rose ~ from Oz said...

It is an amazing place Betsy, bordering on spiritual. The rock formations are just awesome. What a day! What a place!

troutbirder said...

What a beautiful setting. I'm sorry to say that though my son and family lived in Colorado for several we never had time to see it. Now they moved to Arizona...

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous...

Catherine said...

Those are some big rocks!
xo Catherine

Grandma Bonnie said...

Beautiful photos. That is an amazing park. Happy Halloween!

diane b said...

That is an astounding place. It reminds me a little of the Badlands. The contrast of the rocks and the sky is stunning. Glad to hear you didn't suffer in the storm.

Anonymous said...

Wow - what a fabulous place. Love the bright colours in your shots.

Chatty Crone said...

I was thinking what a nice man to leave that for Colorado and for free. Then his kids followed through on it.

James Dobson lives in Colorado Springs too. I love his ministry.

And the photos again were breathe taking. There was not a cloud in that blue sky! Gorgeous.

Love, sandie

DeniseinVA said...

You show us so many wonderful sights from your travels Betsy, I do love them so. Thank you and thank you also for the sweet comments you made recently.

Terry and Linda said...

It's so much fun seeing my state through your eyes!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, three of my most treasured photographs are of my dad and mom back in 1928 when they drove in their Model T Ford to the Garden of the God from Kansas City, Missouri. They and another couple did some fishing in the area. I have a postcard Mom bought at the time that shows those high, rosy-colored rocks.
Thank you for reminding me of all of this. Peace.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Such a beautiful place! So glad you enjoyed it.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Are you sure that wasn't you climbing that rock??? :)
The sky is gorgeous....and really, this is just a magical place to visit. SO glad you had good friends to guide you to this gorgeous place.
XO

Lynn said...

Very impressive area. Reminds me a lot of Sedona AZ. Such a lovely trip. Do those white rocks have special meaning? Thank you for sharing such a unique area.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Beautiful, beautiful place. I love the story behind the Garden of the Gods.

Small Kucing said...

another set of impressive photos. Really awesome.

Over here been raining every day :(

Karen said...

Oh my gosh Betsy, they are gorgeous images. The red rocks remind me a little of our Airs Rock in the Northern Territory. Though I have never had the pleasure of visiting. Best Wishes Karen.

Carletta said...

Love the rock inscription!
The red color is stunning. I really like how they seem to extend up out of nowhere.
Our world is definitely a wonderful place. Thanks for always showing us some of the best Betsy!

Lisa said...

What awesome structures. You may not climb rocks but you climb waterfalls Betsy. Betsy, this is Lisa of oceangirl.

Jeevan said...

This place is truly heaven and wonderland! Glad to know this place was left natural and maintained the pristine.

Amazing photos and the blue sky rocks!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful weather for your visit there. Larry would probably want to try the rock climbing - not me!!!

Janie said...

Wow, amazing rock formations! I love the pic of you and George.