Day 4

Today is a Chacos, bandanna, rock climbing and adventure-filled kinda day.  Or, so we thought at first.

Garden of the Gods is much more touristy than I remember.  Restriction signs are on every rock, reading "no climbing."  We were overrun with Russian tourists (I chuckled at the irony...especially when people say that

Americans are loud and obnoxious), and walked through a wedding that looked rather spontaneous.  The groom was in shorts and a polo.  I even got a picture of it, just for you.  That wasn't the only romance going on in the Garden of the Gods park, however.  Had to snap a quick picture at the Kissing Camels rock formation.  ;)

Today saw us exhibiting a lot of the crazy attitudes and antics that characterizes our family.  Here are a few photos to enlighten you a little more, if you haven't picked up on that already.

We had lunch at a really cool BBQ shack called Rudy's.  Everything is "do it yourself" with them just providing the meat.  A random fact about me: very few things make me feel awkward, but taking forever to order at a restaurant with people behind us makes me feel extremely uncomfortable.  And with a family of six, that happens all the time. Regardless, the brisket was spectacular, and the atmosphere makes me feel right at home.  We ate in an open air patio on a big wooden picnic table, and instead of plates, you lay down a large sheet of paper on your table. Probably my favorite place we've eaten thus far. 

On our way to Cripple Creek, we drove through a quaint little town named Woodland Park where everything (Walmart, McDonald's, NAPA Auto, etc.) was built to look like a log cabin.  The entire town has a fantastic view of Pike's Peak.

Jacob: How does a creek get crippled, exactly?
Me: It runs too much.  AAHHHAHAHAHAH!

Also, we saw our first wild mountain goat. THAT was cool.  We were driving on the edge of the mountain, and it was on the side of the road.  It looked straight at me for a picture
as we passed.

In Cripple Creek, we boarded a train (completely coal powered...take that EPA!), and took a scenic route through the mountains learning about gold mining, mountains, and bar-maid carousing, and towards the end of our trip, a red fox ran across the tracks in front of us.

This town is rather depressing after being here a few hours.  The population is very low, and all that is left here are bars and casinos.  It is a true mining town if ever I've seen one.

We tried so hard to get Mom to see a prairie dog, and even pulled off on the side of the road multiple times, but as of yet, she has yet to see one.  She is of the opinion we're making them up.  ;)

We made a quick pit stop in Woodland Park for Donuts, and good grief, they were as big as 2-3 Krispy
Kreme donuts.  We ate them and took super awkward pictures with Pike's Peak in the background.

Also, for your enjoyment, here is a random quote from Dad: "You should take a picture of the Walmart with the sun shining on it."  Yes...he was serious.

Tomorrow, we head to Estes Park, where we will be staying in a cabin for a few days.  Leaving CO Springs, Pike's Peak, and the Garden of the Gods will be sad, but I'm super excited.  Wilderness, here we come!