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Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It finally feels like we are all back to normal again, doesn’t it? This time of year isn’t my favorite, but the memories of our trip to Colorado Springs is keeping me happy! I’m back today to share our last full day in the area and a bucket list adventure we took! Special thanks to Colorado Springs CVB for sponsoring this trip.
See all of our Colorado Springs articles here.
Our last morning in Colorado Springs started with this amazing view from our rooms at Garden of the Gods Collection. After the delicious breakfast at their restaurant the day before, we knew our last breakfast in the area had to be there.
Knowing that Maddie and I were vegan, they created this breakfast scramble for us. It was the best breakfast I have had in a very long time. They are also happy to offer gluten free offerings too!
The real star of the meal is the hash brown bake. Oh my, this is something I think about almost every morning. It was that good!
The coffee was also fantastic and you know that is a big deal to me and Pete.
After breakfast, we loaded into the car for an adventure of a lifetime. I say that in all seriousness because for me, it is a “one and done” thing to do.
To get to Pikes Peak you go through the visitors center where you pay the entrance fee and they tell you how high you can go. Some days you can go to the top, and some days the top section, or even below that, is closed due to weather like wind and snow. Today it had just opened that morning after being closed for those reasons.
Pete took the drive up very slowly and carefully. He said it was to be safe, but I think he also didn’t want to miss any Big Foot sightings!
Over an hour later we made it to the very cold, very thin air top of Pikes Peak!
Once you get up here, you will find a store with world famous donuts, souvenirs, and an EMT or two! I’m not joking. The store is staffed with at least one EMT because the altitude is over 10,000 ft. the air is thinner so medical issues can arise. Emmy and I stumbled in looking for a restroom and were met by a very nice man asking if he could take our oxygen levels. I guess we looked a little less than optimal (aka we looked like we were about to be ill) and he wanted to make sure we were okay. He ended up taking the whole family’s levels and Em and I were the only ones that were low. Nothing dangerous, but we were feeling it!
Even though we were a little short of breath, it was SO WORTH IT to be able to see this view.
Although we drove up, it still felt like a huge accomplishment to make it to the top. I can’t believe that there are races up there! I can only imagine what that would feel like!
If driving or racing isn’t your style, there is also a Cog Railway that is pretty epic all on its own!
The way back down features a brake heat check and another opportunity to stop and explore!
Another favorite spot on this adventure was the Mirror Lake Reservoir about halfway. We got out and stretched our legs and took a million pictures. It was so beautiful and we could hear animals running around in the background!
Sadly that was the last of our adventures in Colorado Springs and we had to head back home shortly after!
We had such an amazing time in Colorado Springs and we can’t wait to go back. We are thinking a late summer/early fall visit is another time we need to experience in this really fun area!
Here is our video from Pikes Peak!
That sounds so fun! I have always wanted to go there.
Colorado Springs is such a gorgeous part of the country. We went there once, and we’ve never forgotten it. We’re hoping to get back there soon.
We LOVE Colorado Springs. It’s one of our favorite places to go on ski vacations. It sounds like you guys have just as much fun out there as we do!
Looks like fun, and Pike’s Peak has an amazing view. That breakfast scramble sounds tasty too.
It looks like you are having a great time. I want to take a winter vacation to Colorado and see snow for the first time.
These views are so amazing. I am so excited to go to Colorado Springs next fall.
These pictures are absolutely stunning! This whole trip looks like a lot of fun! I’ve been wanting to visit a “snowy” place specifically a mountain!
I live in Colorado and still have never been to Pikes Peak! Brrr it looks like you visited on a frigid cold day.. but at least it is always sunny here so you don’t notice AS MUCH!
I confess that I have never been to Colorado. The trips that your family has been going on are amazing, I am looking at the pictures and can’t stop saying WOW. Fantastic memories are being made, that is for sure!
Awesome views! I have not been to Colorado (yet) but these pictures are enough to convince me to go! I always love reading about your family adventures. You are really having a great time together as a family!
What fun! I drove past Pikes Peak once when I was a child, but I’ve never been to the top.
What a wonderful time you all had. I have an invite to visit Colorado Springs. After reading this post, I really should go.
What a fun place to spend some time, It looks like you made some great memories!
What a super fun trip! My husband and I did this in the early 80s. Not much has changed! Love the view, and love the smiles on your faces.
At first when you said they tell you how high to go, I thought it was based on ticket price. LOL. The weather can be a factor, in that case! And what a view!
Wow, what fun! I’ve been to Colorado before and it’s a blast. And, OMG, that breakfast hash looks amazing.
Your photos are beyond stunning!!! Colorado looks like a great place to visit!
Looks like a beautiful place to take a family vacation. I love reading about all the places that y’all visit.
Colorado is a lot of fun. My husband was there but wants to go skiing there; of course that is another thing one hears about the area – how good it is for skiing! 🙂
I will miss visiting colorado several times a year now that our daughter and family moved to TN. It is certainly an incredible beautiful state with so much to do,
I’ve never been but it looks like a lovely place to visit. I bet it was pretty cold up there in those mountain peaks.
I live about an hour south of Colorado Springs and I love it there. It is such a beautiful, wonderful city! I hope youare staying warm, it’s been pretty chilly lately!
What a beautiful view you had from your room! In fact, all your pictures are beautiful! I have never been to Colorado but i would to some day, it looks amazing. I love the Big Foot sign!
I live about 8 minutes north in Monument- next time you head out here message me and I can show you some more cool sites!
That would be awesome Missy! Thanks!
It looks like you guys had a blast. The views are amazing. Beautiful pictures!
I have always wanted to visit Colorado! Every time I see a picture of this area of the country I feel like I belong there.
I haven’t been to Colorado in a very long time. It is one of my favorite places to visit. I think I have been to Pikes Peak but it would be been when I was little.
Your poor Callie family must have been freezing! it looks beautiful there! Glad you had a great time
That one and done looked like an incredible experience! And your breakfast looked really yummy too! I am such a breakfast person! haha… Stunning photos and I bet you have crazy fab memories about this trip for a lifetime!
your photos are amazing! I would love to go to CO soon… it’s been over a decade since my last time! I miss the mountains/views : ) glad you had fun there with the family!
Really Beautiful breathtaking pictures. I would like visit there one day!
You family goes on the coolest trips! I have never been to Colorado but it looks perfect for a mini winter escape!
Those views!!!!! We have always talked about going out to Colorado, it looks amazing!
I went to Colorado Springs when I was a kid and it was so amazing! It is absolutely beautiful there!
Wow look at those views. Amazing Ive heard some amazing things about Colorado Springs. Cant wait to visit someday!
Love your husbands American flag beanie! Those views are amazing too! You got a lot of great photos. I didn’t realize there were so many beautiful views like those there!
I’ve only been to Colorado once and it was with just my husband and we both LOVED it. I can’t wait until we have the opportunity to return with our littles and when we do return Pikes Peak is at the top of our list.
You guys go on so many fun trips! Looks like you had an amazing time on this one! Love all the pictures!
Colorado is amazing and beautiful. I would love to go back and go to Colorado Springs! Those views look amazing. Looks like you guys had a great time
Yes!! This is a beautiful recap. Colorado Springs is on my travel wish list. Thanks for sharing you have me more excited to visit.
How fun! It looks like a beautiful area, and that view is amazing! We love traveling together as a family, it makes for such great moments and memories!
Great photos! My husband had been there many years ago and he would love to go back. I would love to go there too since I have a friend in Colorado Springs that I haven’t seen for years.
Wow! Your pictures are absolutely breathtaking! I think I will be adding a trip to Colorado to my bucket list!
I always enjoy your travel posts! It is like going on vacation with you! The view from the top of Pike’s Peak is breathtaking.
I would love to get back out to Colorado. I have had altitude sickness once before when I was in Colorado. It took a day to feel better.
Looks like you had a wonderful time there, I really love the photos and looks I want to go there someday and see it in live
I love Colorado Springs! It’s so beautiful there! It looks like you had an awesome time!
Omg looks like y’all had a total blast!!!! I think I need to make a Colorado Springs trip asap!
This looks like such a fun trip! I have never visited Colorado, but I imagine I’d love it!
We’ll be headed this way this summer! There’s a good chance I’m not gonna wanna come back.