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
55 comments:
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
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!
my mouth is hanging open just looking at the photos. awesome place. i love the pigeons shot.
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
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.
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?
Beautiful land..
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.
What an incredible place!!
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!
What a beautiful area! You got some great pictures, Betsy. The rock formations are really amazing.
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.
Incredible things what nature can do.
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.
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!
They sure do look amazing against that blue, blue sky!
It is - what it says it is.
Beautiful.
I think your pictures are beautiful, even the ones you apologized for. :)
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!
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!
oops, sorry! i meant to say "dear" betsy.
Oh how I love seeing those towering red rocks!
Nice shots,I have climbed the 3 together.
A beautiful place.
We've been there when visiting our daughter and have took some of the same pictures that you did.
It is a gorgeous place, for sure. Your wonderful photos are making me want to go back...soon!
Enjoy this last day of October!
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.
I think my mouth would be hanging open, too...amazing place.
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:)
Well that's a cool place. Reminds me of my Vasquez Rocks.
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!
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.
What a beautiful place to visit. The rock formations are pretty, love the colors. Wonderful photos, Betsy!
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:)
It is an amazing place Betsy, bordering on spiritual. The rock formations are just awesome. What a day! What a place!
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...
Gorgeous...
Those are some big rocks!
xo Catherine
Beautiful photos. That is an amazing park. Happy Halloween!
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.
Wow - what a fabulous place. Love the bright colours in your shots.
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
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.
It's so much fun seeing my state through your eyes!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
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.
Such a beautiful place! So glad you enjoyed it.
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
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.
Beautiful, beautiful place. I love the story behind the Garden of the Gods.
another set of impressive photos. Really awesome.
Over here been raining every day :(
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.
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!
What awesome structures. You may not climb rocks but you climb waterfalls Betsy. Betsy, this is Lisa of oceangirl.
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!
Beautiful weather for your visit there. Larry would probably want to try the rock climbing - not me!!!
Wow, amazing rock formations! I love the pic of you and George.
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