The Peak

If you live in Colorado Springs, it might be a sin to not hike Pikes Peak.

There are 88 fourteeners in the United States, and of those, 53 are in Colorado. 1 down, 52 more to go. :) We had wanted to climb the Peak for a while now, and yesterday was the day.

Stoney, Daisy and I started around 5:30am. We were able to watch the sun come up around mile 3; it was a gorgeous sunrise! The hike up the mountain is just over 13 miles; one of the longest of the 14ers hikes. Can you believe that just last weekend during the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon (A half-marathon up Pikes Peak and a marathon up and then down the Peak), the top finisher at this year's marathon (remember, that is up and down Pikes Peak) recorded a time of 3:51:34?! I really can't comprehend that. However, if we didn't have Daisy with us (we had to stop often to give her water), I'm almost certain that we would have made it up and down in under 4 hours. ;)

Our original plan was actually to go up and down the Peak. On the way up we happened to run into two of Stoney's friends who were also hiking up. Fortunately for us (and our aching calves), one of the guy’s girlfriends was picking them up at the top, and they offered us a ride....SCORE!

We had a great hike. The scenery was breathtaking, the company was wonderful, our time together was priceless, and the special doughnut and hot chocolate at the top was an added bonus. [The doughnuts at the top are made with a special high-altitude recipe that works heavenly at 14,110 ft...yum!]

After our hike, we had a great lunch at Front Range BBQ with Aaron, Brian, and Melissa (our fellow hikers and ride-givers). Since Daisy went twice the distance we went, she slept the rest of the day. She really did a great job. The altitude didn't seem to bother her, and we do think she probably went a few miles further than us because of her exploring off leash and greeting other hikers.

We're all looking forward to our next 14er!





A few miles in.


A glimpse of Pikes Peak...far, far away.


A few photos from the trail.


Here, we are almost above the timber line.




Hooray!!!


The temperature at the top was probably in the 40's. The temperature when we got back to Colorado Springs...upper 80s.

Have a great week!
~Ali

Our Back Yard

This actually popped up in our front yard. What a pretty surprise.




I'm kind of crazy about basil.


Texas aloe.


Our back yard visitor.

Teresa and Thad...The Wedding

Teresa and Thad are fun...period. This was a beautiful wedding at Fountain Vally School just south of Colorado Springs in Fountain. The facility's grounds were gorgeous. The day ended up being a little rainy, but no one let the rain/drizzle spoil their fun. And let me tell you...everyone had a really good time!