Yesterday we flew into Denver and picked up our rental car to start our adventure. Our first stop was for lunch on our way to Pikes Peak, at a little barbecue place called Rudy's. They offered us some samples and we knew we had found a gem. We immediately wanted to order brisket, sausage, turkey and pork along with beans and potatoes but figured we might should hold back since we had some hiking ahead of us. We enjoyed some great barbecue sandwiches and sweet tea before beginning our drive up Pikes Peak Mountain. We arrived at the base of Pikes Peak Mountain and they informed us we could only go up 17 miles of the 19 as they were still plowing snow that day between 17-19. We started our drive up the mountain and started to see lower temperatures and more snow. It started to get pretty precarious and nervewracking around mile 15, when they conveniently had no pull-offs for breaks. At mile 16, the mile marker was completely covered in snow except for the 6. We got to mile 17 and saw the snow plows and parked to get out for some pictures. We didn't last long as it started to snow and our coats were not cutting it since we were still in FL clothes underneath. There were some folks unpacking their trucks to go skiing down the mountain. I thought it was ambitious and cool that they were skiing what Robert said was a pretty challenging slope (something about diamonds) but they had a dog with them. I was thinking they would leave the dog in the truck for a little while but instead he ran after them as they skiied. It was quite a sight to see that dog full on galloping after his skiing master.
We started heading back down the mountain and stopped at a few overlooks for some photos and breathes of fresh (warmer) air. Once we were down we headed for the Garden of the Gods, a collection of natural granite monuments. We took an easy 1 mile or so hike around the main part and then drove to another trail to see the Siamese Twins monument which was less populated and made for some better views and a more strenuous hike.
This was also breathtaking similar to Pikes Peak but in a different way. After that, we stopped at a grocery to stock up on snacks, water, and deli meat for our coming adventures. We checked into our hotel and had dinner at a unique place called the Rabbit Hole. It was a nice place with a cool atmosphere and reasonably priced food. They did have bunny bites but didn't have the best of reviews so we're holding out on having game food until later in our trip. Hope all is well in the East!
Venicular:
Pull-offs: where you pull your car over to get out and take pictures
"1 mile to the summit" sign: this is the vertical distance, the horizontal distance via car is 19.
Bunny bites: fried rabbit bites
Please note I am the first to respond.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a safe trip out. How appropriate you stop at a BBQ joint for first meal at your destination. I haven't experienced WEST BBQ before but would love the opportunity. I am glad you're will power was stronger than mine as I would have definitely ordered the 6 meat combo. Sounds like a fun drive and a healthy hike.
Have fun and be safe
Lastly I prefer my rabbit broiled over fried. It's my cholesterol
Aaaahhh, when I started reading about snow and precarious and nervewracking driving, I was afraid that it was the beginning of an "Incident." So glad that it was just another exciting day in the Kropp Family Adventures. The dog running behind the skiers is fascinating. Did he have on snow booties to protect his feet?
ReplyDeleteI think I'll pass on the bunnies!
Thanks for the comments! We didn't see any snow booties, he looked like a pretty athletic dog though! Definitely running faster than we could. Bob, thanks for your comment, I appreciate that you would have helped us eat the barbecue.
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