Colorful Colorado

We had an uneventful trip from Raton to Colorado Springs.  It was uneventful for us, that is.  Just as we came off Raton Pass and approached Trinidad, we came upon and accident that had just happened.  The driver of the pickup with utility trailer had apparently lost control and overturned just moments before.  Other drivers had stopped to assist and direct traffic until law enforcement arrived, so we drove slowly past and on into town.  

We were fortunate to get into Colorado Springs shortly after noon, and were able to get a space at Cheyenne Mountain State Park just south of town.  The park is lovely, and the views of sunrise over Colorado Springs are spectacular.  

Our campsite was lovely, as well.  We had a visit at the top of these steps from a muley doe the morning we left. 

Rue was on her tie-out and, predictably, went into full alarm mode as soon as the doe appeared.  Unfortunately, though the doe wasn’t especially frightened, she hopped away before I could reach for my camera.

The highlight of the trip for me was a visit with my good friend Carolyn.  She and I attended school together from first grade through high school graduation.  We don’t get to see each other often, so we always have a lot of catching up to do.  

Carolyn is also a great tour guide and a fine ambassador for Colorado Springs.  This trip she took me for a tour of the Air Force Academy.  I was especially impressed with the lovely Cadet Chapel designed by the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago.  That is Carolyn at the foot of the steps in the first photo.

 The section we toured is the Protestant Chapel, which seats 1200.  Here is the view of the altar.

And the magnificent pipe organ.

There are also separate Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels with their own entrances, along with a large all-faiths room.  Each chapel has its own entrance, and services may be held simultaneously without interfering with one another. 

There is also another building under construction, which I believe is to house meeting or conference facilities.  The outer structure has been completed, but work is still in progress on the interior.

Carolyn introduced me to one of her favorite restaurants, Biaggi’s, where we had a great Italian lunch.  We had hoped to see Carolyn’t granddaughter, who works there, but unfortunately, she was not working the lunch shift.  

Our time in Colorado Springs was all too short.  We had hoped to stay several more days, but could not get reservations.  It seems that a combination of cheap fuel and a lovely, rainy spring have combined to produce lots of RV traffic in Colorado as well as New Mexico.  We’ll do a better job of planning next trip.