Garden of the Gods -- Colorado Springs, Colorado

This is a favorite place of mine. I first spent time here 6 years ago when I was out here in Denver with then 15 mos old Anna. It is a little surreal to be driving through suburbs among foothills, and all of a sudden see giant red rock twisted into a variety of pillars, skinny side-by-side walls, and huge office-building-sized mounds.

I was a little disappointed this time to find that a number of areas we could freely walk on 6 years ago are now off-limits as the park attempts to revegetate the areas. This also means that it is not as easy to get close to the formations now.

However, we followed a few red sand pathways (already marked with plenty of shoe and boot treads) right up to the base of formations where registered climbers were working (having fun?!) We sat for awhile watching two fellows who were working their way to the top of one of the skinny walls. One climbed higher, hooking in rope as he went, belayed from below. Then they clipped in to safety hooks, the top fellow pulled up the extra rope and proceeded to belay the lower climber from above. I hadn't seen this type of leap-frog rope climbing before.

I'm looking forward to returning to this park before we leave the Colorado area. I want Randy to experience this place...plus it would be fascinating to see it near sunset. I'll bet the rock REALLY glows then!

A few "warnings" -- If you are a "flatlander," remember to carry plenty of water and drink, drink, drink. This park is at a higher altitude than you are used to and with the extra exertion of walking around, you need plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

If you are a photographer, this is a difficult place to visit because every few steps there is another "must take" photo opportunity! This may drive your family completely CRAZY! (Try to take at least a few with them in the picture--maybe that will help?!)

Another tip that might help---in addition to looking for the already named formations, have your kids look for other formations to name. (Kind of like looking for shapes in clouds---everyone will likely have different opinions.) Here are two we found:

This is a different view of "Kissing Camels" (one of them minus its hump) that we decided looks like a mama guinea pig nuzzling its baby. The other one we called "Grumpy Guy."