Colorado Springs --- Gold Camp Road

The roadway below in the Pike National Forest that brought us up to Gold Camp Road.

Roger here...  We continue to enjoy our extended visit to the Colorado Springs area.  At times we have been active --- hiking, lunching with friends, wandering through a farmers' market.  At times we have been slothful, enjoying the peace of the campground. 

Campground news...

The daily late afternoon storms seem to have abated.  They have been replaced by spectacular cumulus clouds that roll in just before sunset.  However, the campsite is not always peaceful.

Bandido was arrested for misdemeanor wine spillage during happy hour one  evening when a doe walked in front of our campsite.  His emotions got the best of him as he lunged toward the deer, knocking over Dianne's wine.  The deer calmly walked away.  Bandido went inside for a time out.  All was not lost since we had plenty of wine.

The discord continued last night when we were startled at 5:00 a.m. by a screeching sound like we had never heard before.   I had no idea that bears could make noises like that.  Bandido was not amused.  I googled bear sounds the next morning. The sound we heard was definitely a bear cub throwing a tantrum.  If you'd like to hear what we heard, click on the link below.   The sound we heard was the first entry under the "High Emotion" category.  

Black Bear Sounds

Lunching....

Our new campground friends go to lunch every Tuesday and have included us in their group.  Thanks guys!  This week we went to a place featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  The menu at Rasta Pasta blended Italian and Jamaican food.  It might seem strange, but it was delicious.  I enjoyed spicy chicken jerk over pasta.  Really good.

Two days later we were to meet one of my former colleagues, Pam, and her husband, Bill, at the  Odyssey Gastropub.  Unfortunately, Bandido ate something he shouldn't have and required constant supervision if you know what I mean.  Dianne stayed with the dogs while I went to lunch.  Pam was an outstanding 8th grade English teacher at Hamilton Southeastern Junior High School where I was the principal.  She and Bill moved to Colorado Springs when they retired.  It was so much fun catching up and getting to know Bill a little better.   Easy to do.  We will see them again (both of us) when they visit us at the RV park for brats and beer.

Gold Camp Road hike....

Back in the day, Gold Camp Road was the main thorough-fare between Colorado Springs and the gold mines in Cripple Creek.  It remains well-maintained as a wide dirt and gravel hike/bike trail high up in the mountains.  

The mostly flat easy walking trail provided an easy hike for the four of us on a perfect day.  We decided to walk until we felt the need to turn back.  We actually sauntered about four miles, enjoying the spectacular views without a great deal of exertion.

Looking Down on Colorado Springs

Along the way we passed by this abandoned mine (or tunnel --- probably a tunnel) that we were obviously forbidden to enter...

... as well as this huge rock-climbin' rock that was beyond my rock climbin' ability.  Bandido wanted to climb it, but Dianne would not allow it :-).

After about two miles the trail narrowed and sloped upward.  We knew there was a stream ahead.  We wanted to see it, so we scrambled up.

We rested by the stream for a few minutes, gave the dogs a drink of the water that we always carry for them, and ate an energy bar before reversing our steps.

"Mom, I'd rather drink the water from the stream."

The only dicey steps on this sojourn were on the initial "return"  as we gingerly avoided slipping on the gravelly surface.  I slipped twice, but did not fall.  Twinkle-toes, Dianne, and the dogs had no problems.

As always on in and out trails, the out views show different aspects of the hikes.  Dianne took this  amazing picture on the way back to the car.  She calls it "artsy."  

I took an artsy picture, too!  But, I must admit that Dianne's is better.  To paraphrase my good friend Bob's frequent comments, "Good Roger."

We also found something interesting on the return hike.  According to Dianne's niece, "Usually, if they have info on the back, you take a picture.   Post to the fb group on the back of the rock... rehide, then post clues about where you hid to the fb group."

Who knew?  Could actually be fun.  Next time we'll know to pick up the rock and look at it more closely.

This was our view of the sky as we neared our car.  It looked ominous, but the rain did not materialize.









Old Colorado City Farmers' Market...

Our Retama Village friends, Mike and Marian, told us that the Old Colorado City Farmers' Market was a good one.  They took us by the location on a previous jaunt.  Since our dear friends, Chuck and Cindy, are joining us for two weeks tomorrow, we wanted to check it out as a possible activity.  We ended up buying some fresh food for the first dinner.

This quaint neighborhood near Pike's Peak was a pleasant place to wander. Before having lunch at a French bakery, we discovered a pet boutique.  These touristy pet places draw Dianne (me too) in like a magnet.  We now have a new welcome mat for our small house at Retama Village.

Pet Picture of the Day...  dog selfie taken by Dianne

 What a day for a ride with the sunroof open!