After the Garden we went to Pike's Peak. We started driving up--it's 19 miles up to the top at 14,100 feet. We were doing OK until we got above the tree line and above the point where you can look out and see other mountains. Helen was scared--no guardrails--and was in tears. After we went around a series of switchbacks call the WW--because there are that many turns--Helen won and I found a spot to pull off and turn around. We were at about 13,000 feet and mile 13 of 19. On the way up Carrie called to tell she had arrive at Davis--we took the call on the Parrot hooked to my phone--otherwise the call would have been ignored.
I put the Caddy in the lowest gear and we hardly used the brakes going down. The rangers actually stop cars and check brakes for heat at the Glen Cove stop on the way down--about 8,000 feet and mile 8 or 9.
Quote from Mom's journal: "12:22 back to timberline. were up to about 13,000 feet--not quite to the top. I am a CHICKEN. This is NOT fun."
Next time--we take the railway up to the top.
No pix of Pike's Peak--one of us was too busy driving and the other wouldn't look out too often.
left Col Springs. stopped at the Air Force Academy--big place and impressive.
stopped to eat at La Dolce Vita. Sam was our waiter--slow evening--he kept coming by our table and polishing the glasses at the next table over and over.
back to Carrie's for the night.
mileage 21915 total miles 1,217; average mpg=24.4; total time 23 hrs and 16 minutes; average speed 52.4 mph
no license plates today--still a total of 35
I'm very impressed with your blog and photos! You guys have gotten pretty hip in my old age...
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