Tuesday was the day we rode the Cog Railway to the top of Pikes Peak. M&K had to go to a hearing in Colorado Springs, so we slept late, had cereal and coffee at their house, and relaxed until they got back. At Manitou Springs, a pretty, artsy community, we got tickets then got a quick lunch. There were lots of restaurants, but since we didn't have much time, P and I got hotdogs and M&K got funnel cakes at a candy/snack stand called Patsy's. This place also makes its own taffy (the Coloradian version of salt water taffy) so I got a box of that to bring home.
Back to Cog Railway to wait for the train. Because of the high altitude, it was suggested we sip water on the way up. I went into the gift shop to buy water. Four bottles, $2 each, yet for some reason I was charged $8.01. M&K had no explanation for this bizarre 1-cent "tax."
The ride up the moutain was incredible. As we climbed gently though wooded areas (at first), with frequent large rock formations on either side, the conductor/tour guide kept up a running commentary, explaining what we were looking at and peppering his talk with joke after joke. "Cog Comedy," we started to call it. At a few points the railway made a steep climb - 25 degrees -- and the scenery slowly changed. There were more and more Ponderosa pines, as well as smaller shrubs.
We came around a bend and suddenly the whole world seemed to open up to us. We could see for miles and miles and miles, peak after peak of mountain ranges near and far, including the Sangre de Cristo range in southern Colorado. We could also see Kansas, which thrilled our seatmates, who were from Salinas, Kansas.
We continued to climb and the trees got sparser until we were up above the tops of the tallest Ponderosas growing on the steep slopes alongside the train. And then we left the trees behind altogether. There was an area where big horn sheep have been known to appear, but they stayed out of sight that day. Only wildlife we glimpsed was a marmot (like a prairier dog) on the way up. At this point, with barely any vegetation, we began to see patches of snow here and there. We put on our jackets (we had started the ride with the train windows open but had closed them about halfway up).
Finally, the summit! There was of course a big sign, which all tourists felt obligated to pose near (there was much swapping back and forth of cameras and "I'll take your picture if you take mine."). We took in the views on all sides. K and I ventured out onto some rocks to see what it said on a plaque that was mounted inside a triangular fenced-in area. The rocks had snow in the crevices, and you had to watch your footing. But it was reasonably safe and we posed out there, obliging P and M with a "lesbian" kiss since we were too chicken to pose with our pants down, as M had suggested. With my ski cap, bulky outer wear and oversized sunglasses, I can't say how "sexy" our lesbian picture will turn out, but, oh well, it's all in fun.
Then it was back to the safety of the sold ground around the Summit House, where we went in for "famous" donuts, cappucino, and a souvenier mug. One last look at the view, and it was time to get back on the train. That was my one complaint -- not enough time at the summit -- and I told K that if I ever came back I wanted to hike down. It takes six, possibly as much as 8, hours to do that.
So, a very exciting adventure. On our way home, we stopped at the Safeway and bought steaks, salad, and corn on the cob, and we cooked (P and M grilled) dinner for M&K. After dinner, there was conversation and a little digestion over coffee before we all went into their den and played for about an hour or two. M gave me a nice strapping, and a paddling with a leather paddle.
After that, we all got into the hottub and relaxed before heading off to bed.
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