The Thinker

Today's adventure

Pikes Peak from our back yard.  Let's go there.

 Yea, we made it.  But I get ahead of myself.

 We were told to go in the morning, as it often rains in the afternoons, so we did.  It was a great, clear day.  Here comes our Cog Railroad train now.  We were also told the temp at the top can be 30 to 50 degrees cooler than at the bottom, so we all brought jackets.

 Wow, the big rocks are close to the tracks.

Getting high

There were several 25% grade climbs.

 Who put that lake here?  Bye bye trees.

 Hey, wait for me.

more cog action

 An inch on the horizon is about 38 miles.

 Old weather station

Made it

The height of the mountain is now listed at 14,115 vs 14,110.  The pressure was 18.15 inches of mercury.  The thin air effected us differently.  It made some take a bunch of photos, some to stand on the edge of the cliff, some to buy souvenirs, and some to buy some yucky high altitude donuts.

 What a crew.

 Good thing the train had brakes.

 With over 100 switch backs, I am so glad I chose not to drive up.  However, we could have used a little more time on the top.

I guess I should add a few

animal photos before we leave the zoo.

 This mountain goat, or big horn sheep as they call them (I wonder which is correct).  Anyway, speaking of mountains......

but I have

After leaving the zoo, we drove up another 1,000 feet to 8,000.  The barometric pressure was  22.90  inches of mercury.

To check out the Will Rogers temple of the sun.

 great views from up here