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 3, 2012

Pikes Peak, Colorado--Part I

Neither George nor I had ever been to PIKES PEAK before---so we were excited to be able to go there on September 14.   If you want more information about Pikes Peak,  click HERE.   We decided to drive up the mountain (rather than riding the train)  ---and feel as if that was a great decision since we could stop all along the way for some great photos.

One of my Facebook friends asked me if this was my first time to be at 14,100 feet...  I think it was!!!!  I know that we were at 12,000 feet at Rocky Mountain National Park--but weren't nearly that high while in Yellowstone and the Tetons. 

I love climbing mountains (in a comfy car of course---ha) ---and it's always GREAT to see SNOW on the top of the mountain, as we did here.   (Remember in 2011 when we saw snow at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah???  The elevation there was about 10,000 feet.)

I've divided our trip up and back down Pikes Peak into two posts--today and Friday!  Hope you enjoy the photos.  Please click on them for enlargements.

Above is a great picture if I say so myself.  We were just beginning our journey up that big mountain.  I love seeing the snow-capped mountain with that blue sky --and then framing the photo with pine trees and gorgeous yellow Aspens. That is Colorado at its finest!!!!




George took this picture of me at one of the stops as we started up the mountain.  As you can tell,  it was fairly warm down there at that elevation.... HOWEVER,  the farther UP we went,  the colder it got!!!! ha




Here is a picture of one of the many lakes in that area.  This is another favorite  picture of mine ---even showing some reflections in the water.




Here is a picture of us at another one of our stops --as we motored up that mountain.  A biker (there were LOTS of them on the road) had stopped and he volunteered to take our picture together.




We started seeing some SNOW --as we went higher and higher!!!




This girl loves SNOW.  I had to get out of the car and play in it!!!!!  (Silly Girl!!!!)




Of course,  you know that I had to take lots of pictures of the snow!!!   The people who worked at the visitor center on top said that they had had about 6-8 inches of snow altogether...




This is a picture looking back down ---as we drove UP-UP-UP.    You can see our road below us!!!!    Isn't that a gorgeous view?

Stay tuned for Part II ---as we reached the summit and then headed back down...

IF you ever get a chance to visit here,  you would enjoy seeing Pikes Peak.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Hugs,
Betsy

60 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, Betsy! Gorgeous photos from your Pikes Peak visit. I have never been to Colorado, so I really enjoyed this photos and your post. Love the shots of you and George. Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

enjoying my visit here, after a long while... life got in the way and i didnt have much time to visit blogs. beautiful shots!

Ms. A said...

Seeing snow in shorts! Hahaha! That photo with the reflection in the lake needs framing, it's beautiful.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

gorgeous views. wow, you all had such a lovely time away. so happy you are sharing with us. awesome!! big hugs. (:

Anonymous said...

OH wow,these photo's are just absolutely wonderful,really enjoyed,wish I was traveling to this beautiful place right now,I've never been,so now that I see what I'm missing,I must put this on my list right up at the top.Thanks for sharing...I appreciate you.If I can jump in the car and go,I can dream about it,can't I,thru your photo's.

From the Kitchen said...

Bravo on the photos! My favorite is the reflection one!!
It has been a long time since I was there but your photos bring it all back. When I was there, I was so young that I couldn't fathom how we could be in t-shirts and have snow at the same time!!

Best,
Bonnie

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Fantastic photos. I love the one seeing the road you had driven up. Loved the snow. I'd be playing in it too. The one with the reflections in the lake, oh my.

I look forward to seeing more from this latest trip of yours.

Hugs ~ FlowerLady

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Look at all that yellow! Gorgeous! And you look like you've lost weight - you're looking very slim in these pics!

Neal said...

It is always gorgeous to drive up there. I don't know how many times I have drove up there but several and I am always in awe of the view.

MadSnapper said...

spectacular views and photos worthy of becoming post cards

Amy Burzese said...

Simply marvelous shots. I know you had a great time. We've been to Mt. Evans. Aren't they spectacular!

Joe Todd said...

Great post and photos Betsy but I am not a big fan of snow LOL..or maybe I should say Ohio winters

linda m said...

I have never been to Colorado - would like to go some day. Your pictures are so beautiful. You two should sell them to travel magazines.

diane b said...

Wow! The scenery there is breathtaking and your shots are great too. Do you get light headed or headaches so high up?

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

"Almost thou persuadest me" to drive up to Pike's Peak some day. These photos are beautiful. Your two favorites are also my two favorites. And the bicyclist did a very good job with the photo of you and George.

Nellie said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy! Great that you saw snow!

xo Nellie

Jeevan said...

You took right decision by choosing the car... which is a best way of discovering places on our own and taking pictures wherever we wish. The photos are very beautiful and fascinating... the view on the lake and Snow Mountains are impressive!

I like your expression to snow and I hope u enjoyed even bitter cold bites you :)

Susannah said...

Thank you for showing these pics...absolutely marvelous! I am looking forward to Part 2 on Friday. Happy you both had a wonderful trip.

TexWisGirl said...

that lake shot is glorious. glad you had fun in the snow. :)

Cheqna said...

Hi Betsy,

I may not be able to visit these places so thank you for sharing them. I love that photo of the lake with the reflection..so lovely.

and keep on enjoying the snow!

:-)

RoeH said...

The last time I was up there in probably 1972 about half way up it turned into a dirt road all the way up. Is that how it still is? I love that range of the Rockies. So massive. Is it Mt. Adams up there that is so high? Can't remember anymore.

Sylvia K said...

You guys had such a fantastic trip!! Love your captures for the day, Betsy! Colorado is such a beautiful place! Wonderful blue skies! Looks as though you really had perfect weather!!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Spectacular !!
Did you get short of breath ?
I used to walk to the local 7-11 store and would have to sit on their rock wall before I could make the trip back home, that mile-high atmosphere is hard to get used to :)
What a great trip.
~Jo

Latane Barton said...

You and George have such wonderful adventures just being together wherever you are. That is priceless.

The photos are incredible. I can't wait to see more.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I see happiness amongst the beauty all around you...I love seeing your photos

Janie said...

Great photos of you and George. The lake reflection shot is gorgeous, and I just love your new header! So glad you timed your trip just right to see the western mountains covered in gold.

Miss Debbie said...

Beautiful pictures...God does good work, doesn't He??

GreatGranny said...

I love snow photos period. I, like everyone else, love the reflection photo. I notice someone else has been to Mt. Evans.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I've been to the top of Pike's Peak but by train. It was a great adventure! Your photos are beautiful, Betsy! I especially love that first shot. Looking forward to Part II.

Sharon said...

I am so excited about all your posts and this one starts it off perfectly. Love that PIkes Peak Highway road - Bill, not so much. He's not real good with heights, but was determined to go.

Sally Wessely said...

I love every one of these photos, but I guess the one of the mountains reflected in the lake is my favorite. That being said, I never get over the beauty of the Peak, and I have to say that the first photo of the 'other side' of the Peak, the west side, is outstanding. I think Pikes Peak is most beautiful from that side. I can't wait to see the other photos.

joy said...

That was a wonderful trip and the pictures are really awesome!

MTWaggin said...

Haven't ever been there so I'm thrilled you shared all your fabulous photos.

Ann said...

So gorgeous, what an awesome view and I bet it was magnificent no matter which way you looked. I wish I could share your enthusiasm for snow but I've seen far too much of it already in my life...lol

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Beautiful pictures, Betsy! I'm intrigued by snow, too, since I grew up in Southern California and now live in the flatlands of Arizona (though I did spend five snowy winters as a graduate student and undergrad at Northwestern U. near Chicago. ) I found after that experience, I missed the four seasons. I love that you played in the snow!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

What an amazing drive. I knew you'd find snow!

imac said...

What can I say -- but -- Magnifico -- and ---
Have had a blogging break for a while, but am now back and will be blogging more in the future.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Many years ago my Dad wanted to drive up there,but Mom talked him out of it.These scenes are stunning.Some of these need to be enlarged and hung on a wall.

Rohrerbot said...

I've never been!!! That looks like a total blast. Love all the pockets of snow. I would have been very very happy as well:) Gorgeous area. We are heading to CO this winter for a bit. Can't wait to feel cold again. Your shots are very cool;)

Chatty Crone said...

So that was Pike's Peak - who was Pike? It was wonderful - I love how at the bottom you are in shorts and then you go a ways and there is snow.
You look like you have lost some more weight! You and George are just a wonderful couple and do so many wonderful things together.

George said...

This trip up the mountain was probably my favorite part of our entire vacation.

Lynda said...

What I love about the pics - - - especially the first few - - - is the variety of color - - autumn colors, evergreens, and snow.
You must have good brakes on your car.
And - - I like your hair that length. It's flattering.

Mary said...

Wonderful photos! Looks so beautiful! I'm sure you had a wonderful trip.

~mel said...

Beautiful ~ (you and George are looking good!) and Pike's Peak don't look too shabby either:) Oh gosh ~ I just love when you take us fellow bloggers along on your journeys. Have a wonderful day!!! Getting out west to see some of our wonderful nation is on my bucket list.

Rose said...

I really am still in love with your header photo! It takes my breath away!

Love the other photos...you and George always look so happy!

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy! Welcome back to you and George, and thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. What a treat to see all your wonderful photos and to hear the story of your adventure!

I especially love your header photo---those aspens are gorgeous. You are blessed to be able to witness the grandeur of autumn in both the West and now the East.

Betty Manousos said...

dear betsy,

these are all gorgeous photos from your trip.
i am glad you had fun in the snow, and you both have had a wonderful time.

such wonderful sights, too...thanks so much for brightening my day!

big hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Those blue skies and reflections are delicious! And nice for you to see snow!

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic!!! Love your photos Betsy, you and George looked like you had so much fun. What a great trip!

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a beautiful place....oh, seeing the snow caps just cooled me off!!! :)
Betsy, you are looking so happy and healthy!
XOXO

Big Dude said...

You guys sure know how to have a good time.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Lovely photographs. I am glad you posted these pictures as I will never get to go to Pike's Peak due to that altitude. Have a wonderful day tomorrow!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Amazing an beautiful photos. I love the one reflecting the mountain peak in the water. I bet that was a lovely trip.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm just going to stop by your blog every morning for a daily dose of one of my favorite places on earth- and the best part is- y'all visited in the fall when the aspens are golden. Keep the pics coming- I love it!!

carolina nana said...

Love that you were wearing shorts while playing in that snow !!!
Blessings
Marilyn

Small City Scenes said...

Excellent pictures, Betsy. You sure have a big grin on your face when playing in the snow. Fun isn't it. I love the lake picture with the reflection. Such glory. Can't wait to see more. MB

Dar said...

WOW! What GLORY surrounds you and all of us, thanks to your travels. I just came from Stewart's site and said the same to him. We blog friends see so much through your adventures all about. Thanks Betsy and George...who are the cutest couple on the mt. You guys look great.
Sorry I have not been commenting but have been dealing with a slow recovery.
BlessYourHearts

Carletta said...

From shirtsleeves to long sleeved jackets - a lovely intro to this mountain adventure!
See you tomorrow! :)

Connie said...

WOW! I love that lake photo, Betsy! So pretty! I'm glad you got to see some snow. I know how much you love it.

Andrea said...

How i wish i can see places like these, magnificent colors. And oh wow that scene with reflection of mountain and colors on that lake, what a sight! Very refreshing and totally inspiring.