Road Trip! Pike's Peak

Pike's Peak is one tall mountain! 

My daughter Julianna was taking a semester off work to attend Ellerslie, a Bible college out in Colorado. I decided to fly out with her a few days early so we could see a little of Colorado. 

"Let's go to Pike's Peak!" she suggested. 

"Hiking?" I asked, shuddering inside. People do hike up and down Pike's Peak, you know. 

"No, not hiking," she laughed. "They have a little railroad." 

Little railroad, as in tiny railroad, tiny tracks, and big tall mountain? 

I was nervous, so I went online to research and discovered: 

• The Mountain is Over 14,000 Feet Above Sea Level
• It is Located in Pike's National Forest, West of Colorado Springs
• Was Named about Zebulon Montgomery Pike who Explored the Southwest United States
• When Gold Was Discovered in Denver, it was called Pike's Peak
• The Denver Gold Rush's Slogan was "Pike's Peak or Bust!"
• In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates wrote the poem "America the Beautiful from a Summit near the Top of Pike's Peak
• You can see Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming from the Top
• You Can Bike, Hike, Drive, or Ride the Cogs Railroad to the Top​

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I was still nervous when we got there, but I saw older folks buying tickets and I felt better. How bad could it be? The train looked sturdy enough. 

As we got closer, the weather cooled down. The view was enchanting. We passed the place where Katherine Bates penned the lyrics to "America the Beautiful" (Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain...). 

Julianna brought along a bag of chips and as we ascended the mountain and the air pressure changed, the bag began to puff up more and more until it looked like it would explode. 

When we got to the top, it was cold and I pulled out my gloves and my camera. I rushed around to different locations to take pictures. Soon, I was out of breath. The air is thinner up at the top and it was easy to get winded. 

You can see 7 states from the top and I was in awe of God's awe-inspiring creation. The view from the top is forever etched in my memory. 

I'm so glad Julianna urged me to travel to the top of Pike's Peak. I encourage you to make the trip, too. Hey, maybe you could take the train up and hike down. Lots of people do that or vice-versa.
If you live or vacation in Colorado, PIke's Peak is a must-see!

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These photos do not do Pike's Peak justice. The view is magnificent! No wonder people ride the little train to the top. 

God's world is so beautiful! There is so much to explore! I love to travel and learn so much when I travel. That's why I created the Travel God's World series. With curriculum, unit studies, and a cookbook, you can travel the world right from your family room. To check out our resources below, simply click on the photos below. Our resources are available in print and as E-books. However, don't just travel in your family room and kitchen, make your travel bucket list and get out there to see the world!

God bless you and keep your safe as you travel, especially up high mountains like Pike's Peak. 

Warmly, 
Meredith Curtis