We really enjoyed our short five day stay in La Veta, Colorado, but as always, there are more places yet to see on our calendar. Next up, we continue our journey due north to the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is just over 100 miles and is mostly interstate on I-25. No need to even fuel up the truck since it is at 3/4 full.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
The drive was uneventful arriving at a beautiful state park that is located in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain, otherwise known as NORAD. Our park is the Cheyenne Mountain State Park and we are staying two weeks to be able to see the plethora of things in the city. This park has full hookups and our site is a pull through. It has nice wide roads, but some are very steep to be able to climb up the mountainside. The views are worth it!
Calvin and Suzanne are also continuing to travel with us as we meet up again at this park. They were here a couple of years ago and are now the great tour guides! We have a full tourist agenda.
Our campsite view. 
Deer in back of our site. 
Sunrise out our coach window.
Colorado Springs. Co.
At 6,035 feet the city stands over 1 mile above sea level and is home to almost 1/2 a million people. Colorado Springs is situated near the base of Pikes Peak, which rises 14,115 feet above sea level on the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The city is home to 24 national governing bodies of sport, including the United States Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic Training Center, and USA Hockey.
While I prefer small towns for the slower pace and less traffic, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet to see some special places. From our research, this city is truly brimming with things to do and see. Will two weeks here long enough? Plus, I enjoy having the down days to rest and recharge the batteries.
Calvin trying on a new hat. 
This is the one! 
Meanwhile, Pat and Suzanne having their nails done.
Old Colorado City
Colorado Springs has many suburbs and Old Colorado City is just on the near west side and has a great little historic downtown area (on the national historic register). The town was founded in 1859 as a part of the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. The early town was on the unsavory side with saloons, bordellos, opium dens, and dance halls. They have cleaned it up a little as it is now loaded with many little shops and restaurants. Oh, there is a pot shop or two since this is Colorado after all.
We explored this little gem of a town with Cal and Sue, stopping into Mother Muffs for their all day breakfast. This place used to be a bank back in the day. Very cool place.
Garden of the Gods
Wow, what an incredible place! The Garden of the Gods park is a National Landmark that has red sandstone rock formations, some reaching to 300 feet tall. In the background is the snow capped mountains of Pikes Peak. A ready made postcard.
Pat and Randy by the Balancing Rock.
You can drive through and around these formations or you can hike it. We opted for the slow drive due to some rainy weather with occasional photo stops.
Colorado Springs Museum of Art
Another advantage of the big city life are the major museums. I’m partial to scenic landscapes and the Colorado Springs Museum of Art did not disappoint. Here are a few of my favorites. Most of these are of the Pikes Peak area.
Canon City
On the way to the railroad ride, we stopped at another very well preserved and historic downtown area to walkabout. Also in this town was a little hole in the wall coffee shop that had the best atmosphere and breakfast.
Pat and me with some friends! 
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Folks, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad has to be one of the highlights of this area. For a railroad buff like me to ride in the domed vista dinner car and to have these awesome views is about perfect. We ordered lunch and drinks and enjoyed some world class views of the rock cliffs and the raging Arkansas river next to us.
Here is our dome car. An upper level for dining.
After lunch, we walked two cars back to the open air “cattle car” to really experience the Royal Gorge. In 1905, President Teddy Roosevelt described it best as “the trip that bankrupts the English language!”
Outside in the cattle car. 
The Arkansas river runs alongside the tracks with rapids at the 4 to 5 level! 
Look close to see the rafters attempting rapids.
Being on a train brings back many childhood memories. My father worked for the New York Central and then later on the Penn Central railroad as a freight train conductor. I would sometimes accompany him to the Terre Haute, Indiana rail yards as a 5 or 6 year old. I can still remember the place was fairly cluttered and smelled of strong diesel fuel.
My family also took a few train trips back during those years in the early 1960’s. One of them was on a passenger train to New York City. We had a sleeping berth room that included beds that fold down from the wall. Mom packed lunches for us instead of eating in the dining car. It was all highly fascinating for a young boy. Now I get to eat in the dining car!
That’s all for now. Thanks for following along! We have one more week to stay here and then drive about 60 miles north to the Denver area at another state park. Take care and God Bless.
So wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Mary Beth!
I like that part of the country. Sherri and I lived there during our nomadic part of our working career, when I worked for Sherwin Williams. Our youngest son Zackary was born in Colorado Springs. Always enjoyed the area, just not the spring winds. The Garden of The Gods was part of my daily commute.
I hope you enjoy your time there and that the weather improves.
Travel Safe!
Robert
That must have been a cool daily commute, although a curvy road for sure.
Great blog and photos Randy. Your adventure just keeps getting better and better! Always enjoy your posts. Lorna
Thanks for always traveling along with us whether in person or via the blog!