CO Springs - Natural Beauty and Human Achievement

We stayed in one of the suites, which provided adequate room for us to make a home base for our time in CO Springs.

The Inn was conveniently located to many of the local attractions:

Focus on the Family--1 mile
United States Air Force Academy--9 miles
Olympic Training Center--12 miles
Garden of the Gods--9 miles
Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum--12 miles
Pike's Peak Cog Railway--13 miles
Cave of the Winds--10 miles

Restaurants Nearby: Applebee's, Burger King, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Tony Roma's, Village Inn.

Though the Inn is no five-star hotel, if you're looking for an affordable place to stay while in Colorado Springs, this may be it.

For more information on the Inn, click on this link to its website: Red Roof Inn #239.

The Royal Gorge is located 12 miles west of Cañon City, CO, on US Highway 50 about an hour from Colorado Springs. Just know that oversized vehicles are not permitted on the bridge.

The park is open, weather permitting, from 10am till 4:30pm weekdays and 10am till 5pm weekends and holidays.

General admission price for the Park: $18 for adults, $14 for children ages 4 –11, and children under three are free. On weekends and holidays, you get a second ticket for half price. Weekdays (Bridge Only Pass): $10 for adults, $7 for children ages 4 –11, and children under three are free. For your convenience, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted, and an ATM is available at the Visitors Center. For more information check the Royal Gorge out on the world wide web Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. On the website, you can learn about the history, geology, and all facts about the construction of the bridge.

After parking your vehicle and securing your tickets, look for the shortest lines and go to that attraction first.

The Bridge. Walking across this bridge is a feat in itself. The wooden planks that make up the surface of the bridge have large gaps between them, and they rattle and bounce as cars travel over the span. You can stop at your leisure as you walk the bridge. Be sure to look through some of the larger gaps (see picture below taken through a gap) or over the side to view the Arkansas River, a mere 1,053 feet below. As the bridge sways, the planks rattle, and someone in your family nudges you as a joke, make sure your heart is still beating!

Once across the bridge, walk over and ride the Aerial Tram back over the Gorge. For a little added sense of security, find a place in the center of the tram. But I’d recommend getting next to a window and taking all the sites in, which are mostly down.

After the Tram, the Incline Railway to the bottom of the Gorge should be next on your list. Riding the incredibly steep railway to the canyon’s floor to view the raging Arkansas River up close and personally is definitely worth it. You may catch some rafters or kayakers trying to navigate the river.

A good alternative for those afraid of heights, is The Plaza Theatre and the 12 minute multi-media presentation which highlights all the attractions and bridge history.

Before leaving the park consider riding the train, eating at the Royal Grill or Cliff Terrace, and be sure to pick up a souvenir from the Gift Shop.

The USOTC sits on a former Air Force base and headquarters of the North American Defense Command. Today, the facilities include: a state-of-the-art sports medicine and sport science center and an athlete center, which includes a dining hall and two residence halls. The USOTC is able to provide housing, dining, recreation, and other services for up to 557 coaches and athletes.

Being a sports nut myself and having several kids who love sports too, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the center. As we were touring, we ran across many olympians and hopeful future olympians. While in the Sports Center, we were just feet away from Olympic Gymnast, Amanda Borden, who was spending time with some younger athletes. It was fascinating to watch the interactions between this world class athlete and the young hopefuls.

I would suggest you begin your visit at The Olympic Visitor Center, which can provide you with all the information about this Training Center, the US Olympic Committee, other US Olympic Training Centers, and the Olympic Movement. The Visitor’s Center is host to the US Olympic Hall of Fame, an indoor reception area, Olympic retail store, and a 225-seat auditorium.

Check the program schedule and be sure to catch any films about the US Olympic Programs and Athletes.

The book section in the store provides many quality resources and the most up-to-date research on athletic topics like: nutrition, fitness, motivation, the psychology of sports, sport specific training, etc. We bought several titles.

The free public tours are conducted daily on a year-round basis by the USOC Tour Program staff (who are very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful). The tour includes a walk along the Irwin Belk Olympic Path, and visits to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame rotunda and roof-top terrace with an Olympic flame display, which offers panoramic views of the entire complex and beautiful Colorado Springs. While you are walking around, your guide is likely to quietly point out the athletes that he/she knows. But remember to be sensitive to these athletes, as they are here for training and not to be the focus of tourists’ pictures. Hint: Take your pictures on the “sly” and don’t ask them to pose for you!

If anyone in your party has a thought of competing in a sport at a high level, this visit may ignite that spark which will propel them to the next level. But remember, the drive to compete must come internally from the athlete and not externally from mom or dad.

To help you learn more about the Center before you arrive, I’d encourage you to click on this link to their website Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center.

Or, contact the Center in one of these ways: United States Olympic Training Center, One Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5760, TEL: (719) 632-5551, or FAX: (719) 866-4654.

”The surrounding mountains and the grounds of the campus are so incredibly pretty, wow, who wouldn’t want to go to school here?”

”This place is so incredibly clean, I wonder who makes everything sparkle?”

”The Chapel is one of the most unique and gorgeous buildings that I have ever seen, no less been in.”

”I’m not so sure I would like to march around in uniforms, doing those routine drills, getting yelled at because I turned the wrong way or marched out of step.”

”Watching the freshy’s with their orange hats, having to walk around the courtyards only on certain tiles, was both odd and sort of cool.”

The museum in the Visitor’s Center provided us with the history of the Academy, its mission, and gave us a glimpse into the life of a cadet. Much of the information was inspiring in that it spoke of honor, courage, discipline, perseverance, etc.

As you walk around the campus you will see a variety of things going on: students doing formational drills, athletic practices, or cadets catching some “R and R.” We were able to engage a freshman cadet in conversation as he was taking a breather from his run. We learned he was from California, the valedictorian of his high school class (as were most of the cadets there he said), and he liked the discipline, but expressed how, on some days, it was very difficult to keep at it. We thanked him for being there as someday he would help to protect the freedom we so cherish, and tried to encourage him to hang in there.

Be sure to have film in your camera (or room on your disk), as there are so many pictures you will want to take. Most any outdoor shot is great due to the backdrop of the mountains.

You can learn more about the Academy by going to their website by clicking here United States Air Force Academy on the Web.

Or you can call the Visitor’s Center at (719) 472-0102 or (800) 955-4438.

The round trip from the railway station in Manitou Springs to the summit of Pikes Peak and back will cost you about $27 per adult and $14 per child (3-11 years). All major credit cards, travelers checks, and cash are accepted.

You can read the history and all about the cog railway on the their website, so I won't bore you with that detail here. A few suggestions to make your trip the most enjoyable are:

Once in the CO Springs area and after you checked the local weather Weather.com, order your tickets in advance at Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Be sure your camera is filled with film or you have a disc large enough to store a lot of pictures because the sights worthy of a picture are numerous.

Bring extra clothing (e.g. sweater, jacket, pants) as the temperature at the summit is much colder than at the railway station. When traveling up Pikes Peak, ascending 1000 feet is like traveling 600 miles to the north, so the temperature drops by about three degrees. Thus, at the top of Pikes Peak its 30 degrees colder than at the station in Manitou.

Be sure to pack your sunglasses as the sun is brighter and don’t forget the sunscreen as the sun is hotter way up there.

Load onto the train early and claim a seat so you don’t have to get one of the seats where you go up the mountain backward.

Once at the summit, but after you have heard the departure time, exit the train and walk around to see the sites. The views from the summit are great in every direction. Get your picture taken next to the summit sign. Get a penny pressed in the Gift Shop or buy another souvenir to commemorate your reaching the more than 14,100’ summit.

Be sure to check the plaque describing the inspiration for the lyrics of the beloved song, “America the Beautiful,” being the stunning vistas from the summit of Pikes Peak back in the summer of 1893.

Listen for the boarding signals to make sure you don’t miss your train back down the mountain, otherwise you will have to wait for the next train, or if it’s the last train, it's a long and expensive taxi ride back down.

The cog railway is a great experience for all ages and worth your time and the cost for the ticket.

Once back at the railway station, consider enjoying lunch on the premises. But if not, it's just minutes back to the Springs area.

This area provides visitors a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while taking in the impressive scenery. There are hiking and mountain-biking trails, as well as opportunities for rock climbing. There is a visitor center located here, which offers a multimedia presentation. There are also hands-on exhibits explaining the history and geology of the park, and 30-minute presentations (on subjects such as area wildlife) take place throughout the day. The garden is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Though you can see a lot of beautiful scenery by simply driving around the park, I’d suggest you spend time walking around, so you can see the beauty of the garden from close range.

Because of the way the sun and light reflect off the colored rocks, it is good to stay around for a few hours or to catch formations from a variety of angles to appreciate them most. Even at night, the formations make spectacular-looking silhouettes and lend themselves well to photos.

If you have time, I’d suggest you watch the movie at the visitor center, entitled "How Did Those Red Rocks Get There?" This 12-minute multimedia presentation details the fascinating history and geology of the park using time-lapse photography, four screens (including one 20-by-30-foot screen), laser lights, and more. And where else can you catch a flick for only $2 for adults, $1 for children, and free for those under 4? Discount coupons for the movie are available on the website: Garden of the Gods on the Web.

While at the visitor center, plan to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch or snack at the Cafe at the Garden. Dine inside or outside on the terrace for a stunning view of the Garden of the Gods Park.

Specializing in Colorado-made items, the center has three gift shops, offering something for visitors of all ages . . . postcards, fine American Indian jewelry, porcelain sculptures, books, and their famous fudge.

If you don’t want to venture out on your own to explore the park, free guided nature walks are offered daily at 10am and 2pm, with additional walks during the summer months (weather permitting). Meet at the Central Garden Trailhead at the Main/North Parking Lot in the park. This is an easy 45-minute stroll on a slightly sloping and paved trail. Free color maps of the park, including trail locations, are available at the information kiosk at the visitor center.

Be sure to stop by Balancing Rock on your way out. It's a memory that will last for generations.

While in the Colorado Springs area, you will want to visit the Garden of the Gods again and again--it always has a way to make you feel good.

Focus on the Family began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson's increasing concern for the American family, and since that time, it has grown into one of the most well respected and largest family-friendly organizations in the world.

You can learn all about its mission, guiding principles, history, and scope of the organization by going to its website: www.family.org.

You will want to begin your visit at the Welcome Center. It is filled with information, interactive exhibits, gift shop, bookstore, art gallery, and, of course, a re-creation of the famous Whit’s End Soda Shop on the lower level. You and your kids can enjoy lunch and one of Whit’s famous chocolate sodas. Our whole family enjoyed our time very much.

You will also want to take a few rides down A-bend-i-go, a two-story, winding slide for all ages. Grab a burlap bag and let ‘er rip!

Sign up to take one of the free tours of the grounds and facility to see some of the inner workings of the place. The tour was very interesting, especially seeing the radio studio area.

Before you leave, browse the bookstore for the latest titles or on-sale bargains. Our son was able to pick up several Adventures in Odyssey tapes at a very low price.