Recently, J and I went to Colorado for three reasons, 1. The wanderlust is strong with Covid still around. 2. My nephew is in the Army and is based out there and will be deploying soon, I wanted to see him before he left. And 3. The mountains were calling me of course!
We originally booked the trip with two of our friends and my sister, however, my sister had a busy weekend and couldn't make it and due to unforeseen circumstances the night before we left, our two friends were unable to come. We will be planning another trip with them soon to make up for it. So stay tuned for another travel post!
We found a gorgeous Airbnb out in Cascade-Chipita Park. I made sure that we had a gorgeous view of the mountains and I later found out that it was no less than 10 minutes away from the base of Pikes Peak. How much better could that get?! We arranged for a rental car, a jeep wrangler, one of which we had considered getting once upon a time.
We had booked a Pike's Peak Jeep Tour but the night before the tour it snowed heavily and we were informed that the road up to the summit would be closed. I give props to the tour guide, he was the one to inform us of the road closure and did offer to reschedule, however we had so many things planned for the weekend we couldn’t reschedule, so we had to cancel. The upside to this was that we had more time to see do more touring around Colorado than we had planned too.
After we got to our Airbnb we showered and ended up taking a nap. Much needed as we felt winded from the altitude difference. Yes, the altitude difference is real. It didn't bother me too much but J did feel the difference almost immediately. My tip that we were told by my nephew was to drink lots of water while out there. It helps with the altitude sickness. He even joked that like in The Lorax movie, they sold air over there in Colorado because of the altitude.
Upon waking up we realized that it had snowed a good 3 inches in the time we were asleep. Our plan for the night was to have dinner with my nephew and his wife. I didn't want to let them down. We got ready and walked outside only to realize that it was dark, sorry not dark... it was VERY DARK. We were up in the mountains and we had to make our way down the mountain, down the unfamiliar snow covered one lane winding roads. Needless to say J was terrified. I say him because he is the one with the drivers license. I never got mine so anytime I am behind the wheel I feel some type of terror. The snow was still falling and the roads were not like Chicago, the city did not prep the roads with salt trucks. Our only light to see in front of us was that of the headlights of the jeep wrangler. The turns we had to take only seen through our GPS, which thankfully mine did not give out as the signal up and down the mountain was a little in and out. I had to be the eyes on the GPS and J had to be the eyes on the road. Teamwork. We safely made it down the mountain though and though it was still dark roads ahead we managed to finally reach the area with street lights and made it to my nephews house. Thankfully! It was definitely an experience! We did both agree that we would stay the night there and go back to the Airbnb the next day when there was still light out.
Day 2, we went up to Cheyanne Mountain Zoo. I don’t think I have ever loved a zoo more than I did this one! Chicago zoo’s are nothing compared to Cheyanne Mountain Zoo. You get amazing views, and the animals were very active even with snow everywhere. What I loved about being out there was that despite the fact that it snowed a good 3 inches the night prior, it still felt like a spring day outside.
The experiences we had at the zoo were hands down amazing. We saw wolves interact during feeding time, elephants interact with snow, fed giraffes and birds, met a sloth, and I even learned that porcupines sleep up in the trees, don't judge me if you knew this, I always thought they were ground animals. Haha!
After we explored the zoo, which took about three hours to see everything, we ate and then made our way to Cave of the Winds for our Haunted Lantern Tour.
I’ve been on a cave tour prior to this back when we went to Ruby Falls in Tennessee (that’s another adventure for another post). Cave of the Winds offers different tours. There is the Discovery Tour which is a more family friendly one, it’s about 45 minutes with more lit paths and you learn more about the rock structures and the history of the caves. Our tour, however, was 90 minutes with only the light from your lanterns leading the way, all the while the tour guide walked us through the caves telling us stories of how the caves came to be and also the folklore and scary stories of the happenings that were said to have happened in there. Our tour guide was great, she was expressive and very theatrical and knew how to keep the group on their feet and creeped out. I wish I could remember her name, for those of you who have gone there or plan to, to give a simple shout out.
“Believing in ghosts makes life that much more fun and interesting.” –Cave Of The Winds Tour Guide
According to the tour guides there have been reports of shadows and the feeling of someone grabbing your clothes or ankles, she explained that it may happen while in the caves and to just be aware. We were told that a young woman named Nelly loved to play pranks on people while tours were being given back in the day. She told us that if we felt anything, to acknowledge that it might be Nelly and to say "Nice prank Nelly." and go on about the tour. She said that if we don't acknowledge her she may just keep trying to get your attention. I myself didn’t experience anything crazy but at some point during the tour I did feel like someone pulled one single strand of my hair. Women, you know that feeling right? Well yea, that’s what I felt. Did I acknowledge Nelly? Not out loud but I did say it loud enough for me to hear.
Our tour guide had so many stories to tell about what went down in the caves that we were walking through. We heard stories of brothers getting lost in the caves and never being found. We heard of mummies being hung as a prank and then go missing. We heard of freak accidents, of people being pushed off a ladder and falling to their death. We heard of a fairly recent story of a tourist on the same tour saying she saw someone/something in the caves. Our tour guide even had us all turn off our lanterns and stand in a circle aside a wheel barrow that was found in the caves and never removed. We were told to stand in silence and see if we could hear Nelly humming, or felt anything close to us. Everyone was in a circle so to feel as though someone was right in front of us was pretty scary and thrilling to say the least. J felt as though the tour guide was right in front of him and I just felt like my eyes were making the cave space seem so much more immense than it really was.
Before making our final pass through a cave passageway, the tour guide explained of a woman named Abigail, who was said to have killed herself in a small dwelling of the cave after hearing the news of her fiancé passing away the day of their wedding. The tour guide explained that out of respect they do not go inside that small dwelling of the cave but that if we chose to, we could look in the direction of it and some say they have seen her and some people have been scratched even pushed while doing so.
Now, I love scary stories and everything supernatural but I wasn’t ready to bother a grieving ghost. I walked past telling myself I’m here respectfully and I kind of gave the dwelling a quick look through my peripheral but that’s it. J, however, decided to look into the passageway while walking passed it and came out of it complaining of a small burning sensation on his back. It wasn’t until we were fully out of the cave and in better lighting that he asked me to check. And low and behold there was a very faint scratch mark on his side by his hip. He brushed it off as he might have bumped into a rock and didn’t notice, which it could’ve happened, but the fact that it happened AFTER he looked into the Abigail passageway… yea I’m calling Sam and Dean. Just sayin’! I wish I had taken a picture.
Overall it was so much fun. The group of people we were with were young and very fun, making jokes and even trying to scare each other but all the while it was like we all knew each other. If someone’s lantern burned out they wouldn’t hesitate to help turn it back on.
There were other activities and attractions that Cave of the Winds provides such as a kid friendly elevated obstacle course, a bat-a-pult ride and even a TERROR-dactyl ride that slingshot you across the mountain caverns. However, we weren't able to get on any of them as they weren't in service at the time, since it was a bit cold. But it is definitely on our to do list when we go out there again. Yes, I said WHEN, because Colorado is amazing!
Afterwards we headed back to our Airbnb with my nephew and his wife and chilled there for the rest of the night. We all spent some time in the jacuzzi and then watched The Conjuring in the projection/movie room. Who doesn’t like watching scary movies while up in the mountains where it's pitch dark outside?!
Day 3, we went up Pikes Peak via the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway. There’s not much to say except HOLY CRAP THE VIEWS!!!!! I cannot put into words how amazing going up the mountain and being at the summit was. It was freezing up at the top! I believe they said it was 21 degrees with a 3 degree wind chill. It was nothing Chicago never prepared us for though, Polar Vortex ring a bell to anyone?
The summit of Pikes Peak was amazing, pictures could not do it justice! It took about an hour to get up to the summit. I do wish they allowed more time to spend up there, we were allowed about 40 minutes to explore, take pictures, use the restroom, go to the exhibit, or grab some snack/souvenirs at the Summit house. We had the 1st tour of the day, which was kind of unfortunate because we heard all about the donuts they serve up at the top but we were told that they weren’t ready. So, if you’re planning a trip and looking forward to getting those donuts, I suggest booking the 12 p.m. tour. and I also suggest going into the summit house first and then take as many pictures as you wish when you are done. We took pictures first and barely had time to peruse through the gift store, let alone grab a snack. The view is still etched in my memory. My goodness it was breath taking!
The Cog ride itself was informative the tour guide shared stories of how the mountain came to be "America's Mountain." and also cracked some funny jokes here and there. My favorite joke he told was when he was explaining how much time had to explore and the Cog horn that we had to listen for when it was time to go. He said "What do we call people who miss the horn and are left behind?" "Hikers" {Insert comedy drum tsk here} I laughed because, hello, hiking down from 14,115 feet?? Yea, I made sure we didn't miss the Cog.
Our last day in Colorado we went to Garden of the Gods for a nice 4 mile hike. Walking up hill in Colorado was no joke considering the major altitude difference between Colorado Springs and Chicago. My nephews wife was kind enough to take us through the hike while my nephew had deployment prep.
What surprises me the most about this place was how mesmerizing rock formations could be. To know that these were nature made formations makes it that much more breathtaking! The views also make for great backdrops for pictures! And that is EXACTLY what we took advantage of!
THE EATS!
Of course I have to add in the food indulgences that we experienced while out there. Colorado isn't known for a specific type of food, it's more of a melting pot of everything so it was fun to explore what we could find.
When we arrived we had explored Manitou Springs and ate at a place called The Keg Lounge. It was suggested to us by two natives when we asked where a good place to eat was. It was pretty busy when we got there but we were seated as soon as we walked in and we were ordering not too long after. I ordered the Southwestern Burger with chips, so delicious! J ordered the steak sandwich with fries, he can get picky sometimes but he said it was delicious. I stole some of his fries, they were fried so perfectly, I'm not big on fries but I can't deny crispy fries!
Afterwards, we got some coffee and beignets at Rocky Mountain Beignets a couple of doors down. Café Du Monde in New Orleans (yet another adventure for another post), has some competition! They were so warm and soft! Mmmmm! And the coffee… just complimented them even more! The place was so cozy and there was even a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who greeted us at the register and came to us for some love while we ate. We didn't mind it at all. He was so cute!
After surviving the drive through heavy snow DOWN a mountain where our Airbnb was. We eventually made it to my nephews, picked up him and his wife and went to eat at Atomic Cowboy. It was easier to drive the roads surrounding my nephews house because it was lit up with street lamps. We ordered a pizza and some breadsticks. Sounds simple doesn’t it? SIKE! It was a BIG ASS PIZZA! It even said so on the menu, word for word. My Chicago people who are in my age range or so would compare it to Bacci’s pizza or what’s now called Slice factory, only I think it was bigger! Needless to say it was filling. I think we all ate at least 2 pieces.
On our second night out there, after cave of the winds we did some grocery shopping and then went out to eat at Colorado Mountain Brewery. When we arrived they told us it would be about a 40-50 minute wait but we were given a table after about 30 minutes. J and my nephew had the beer flight, because hello how can you go to a brewery and NOT get a sample of all they have to offer?! My nephew’s wife and I had their Margarita. We also were celebrating my nephews 23rd birthday early, as his birthday was the next weekend and we were going to be long gone by then.
We happened to be there the weekend of Super Bowl LVI, The LA Rams against the Cincinnati Bengals. J is big on football and it was a must that we enjoyed watching it in a comfortable setting, so after our Cog ride up Pikes Peak we went to the grocery store and bought the necessities to make burgers and mac and cheese in the comfort of my nephews home. That was our day of a nice homecooked meal prepped by my nephew and his wife. Props to my nephew on the hearty burger he grilled on his deck and props to his wife, her mac and cheese was UH-mazing, and I'm not big on mac and cheese but hers... *Chefs Kiss*.
On our last day in Colorado, after our 4 mile hike through Garden of the Gods we stopped to eat at Denver Biscuit Co., which was conveniently located in the same building as Atomic Cowboy. This was a must go to place that my nephew highly suggested. It did not disappoint. I ordered The Ellsworth, which was a buttermilk fried chicken with local Colorado honey, ground stone mustard and house made pickles. It was SO delicious and hearty. I was not ready for the size of that sandwich. But it was a delicious sandwich nonetheless. The way the honey and mustard tasted together along with the crispiness of the fried chicken was orgasmic. We also ordered a cinnamon roll as an appetizer. We were clearly not on any dietary restrictions. All we wanted to do was eat. Haha!
This trip to Colorado was just what I think my mind needed to reset. Although we missed our two friends who we planned on going with and I missed my sister, the trip was still an experience. Nothing resets my mind better than being off the grid and focusing on what's in front of me, beautiful scenery and all.
I think what I enjoyed more was being able to spend time with family. Prior to this visit I hadn't seen my nephew since 2017 when he had graduated from the Marine Corps. He switched over to the Army about two years ago. So it was nice to be able to see him and catch up with everything going on in his life before he was set to deploy.
That's that my friends. Our trip to Colorado was amazing. I definitely want to go back again. I actually had a dream about going back and going up Pikes Peak on foot. Soon enough! Maybe in the summer or the fall, so we don't have to worry about snow storms. Haha!
Nephew, stay safe during your deployment! We will see you soon!
Thank you for your service. And thank you to all military serving our country!
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this. There is so much more to tell that I couldn't put it all in this article for the sake of leaving you all wanting to visit and experience Colorado for yourselves! So please feel free to send a message if you are curious about any places we visited or even if you would like info on the Airbnb we stayed at.
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