From Sea Levelto 14,115 Feet.

You know I like a state when I decide to visit it twice within 12 months! Colorado has so much to offer in terms of spectacular scenery, wildlife, and outdoor adventures that after my first visit, I knew I wanted to return. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I brought my mom back the following year.

My first Colorado adventure began in Denver, where I picked up my rental car and headed straight to Colorado Springs. With the Rocky Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop, Colorado Springs was the perfect base for exploring some of the state’s most remarkable attractions. On my itinerary were the United States Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, and what would become the highlight of my trip, a journey aboard the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak.

A Little Military History

As a former Department of Defense civilian who has spent a significant portion of my career working alongside military personnel, I’ve always had a keen interest in military history and institutions. Surprisingly, this was my first visit to a U.S. military service academy as a tourist.

The United States Air Force Academy occupies a beautiful setting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with wide-open grounds and mountain scenery stretching into the distance. Scattered throughout the grounds are impressive displays of military aircraft, including a massive B-52 bomber and several helicopters. Seeing these aircraft up close, rather than soaring overhead, gives you a different appreciation for their sheer size and engineering.

What struck me most was the setting itself. The aircraft stood against an enormous Colorado sky filled with billowing white clouds, with the mountains rising in the background. It was an interesting combination of military history, aviation, and natural beauty, all in one place.

Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods. What an apt name for such an extraordinary place!

Imagine enormous slabs of red and orange sandstone rising almost vertically out of the earth, some resembling giant fins, others looking like sculptures carefully arranged by an unseen hand. These dramatic rock formations are the result of millions of years of geological upheaval and erosion, and they create a landscape unlike anything else.

What makes Garden of the Gods particularly striking is the contrast. The brilliant rust-colored rocks stand against green vegetation, distant mountains, and an impossibly blue Colorado sky. In some places, the formations tower directly beside the walking paths, while elsewhere, the landscape opens into sweeping views of the entire park, with Pikes Peak rising in the distance.

I loved the wide-open spaces and the opportunity to wander along the paved paths, stopping whenever an interesting formation caught my eye. There was no need to rush from one attraction to another. The scenery was the attraction.

Some formations looked almost impossibly balanced, while others resembled ancient stone cathedrals. Every turn revealed a different perspective, and the changing angles of sunlight brought out the warm colors and textures of the sandstone.

It’s one of those places where nature has done all the architectural work, and we humans are simply fortunate enough to admire it.

The Slow Climb to 14,115 Feet

I had been hemming and hawing about booking a ticket for the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, but I’m so glad I finally bit the bullet. It turned out to be my favorite experience of the entire trip!

The railway departs from Manitou Springs and climbs all the way to the summit of Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s famous fourteeners, mountains that rise above 14,000 feet. At 14,115 feet, the summit is more than two and a half miles above sea level. And the best part? You can reach it comfortably by train without having to hike a single step!

I was fortunate enough to be assigned a window seat and found myself sitting beside a lovely Austrian couple who were meandering their way through the western United States by car. We exchanged travel stories as the train began its gradual ascent into the mountains.

The train itself was modern and comfortable, with large windows that made it easy to enjoy the passing scenery. As we climbed higher, the landscape slowly transformed. Dense forests of pine gave way to more scattered trees, then to open alpine terrain and rocky slopes. Eventually, we climbed above the tree line, where the landscape became increasingly rugged and barren.

The journey to the summit took approximately 90 minutes, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Cog railways certainly aren’t known for their speed, but they more than make up for it in charm! There was something wonderfully relaxing about watching the scenery unfold while someone else handled the steep mountain climb.

Along the way, I even spotted several marmots darting among the rocks and crevices. These furry alpine residents seemed perfectly at home in an environment that becomes increasingly inhospitable to humans as the elevation rises.

And then, finally, we reached the summit.

Stepping outside at 14,115 feet was an experience in itself. The landscape seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. Mountains upon mountains rolled toward the horizon, with forests, valleys, and shimmering lakes far below. From this elevation, everything looked impossibly small.

The summit has a modern visitor center, and one of its beloved traditions is enjoying a freshly made high-altitude donut. Naturally, I obliged! After all, how often does one get to enjoy a donut at more than 14,000 feet?

We had approximately 45 minutes at the summit to explore, take photographs, and soak in the extraordinary views. I wandered around the observation areas, stopping frequently to admire the vast landscape and marvel at how far we had climbed.

Looking out over the Rocky Mountains, I was reminded once again of how magnificent our natural world is, and how small we are in comparison.

Eventually, it was time to board the train for our descent. I could have happily stayed longer, but the journey down offered another opportunity to admire the scenery from a different perspective.

For someone who loves slow travel, the cog railway was a perfect experience. There was no strenuous hike, no white-knuckle mountain driving, and no pressure to reach the summit as quickly as possible. The journey itself was every bit as memorable as the destination.

And isn’t that what meandering is all about?