Got Oxygen?

Do you ever feel if you had just a little oxygen you could

breathe better? 

 There are different reasons why someone would need to use oxygen; but for the most part it has to do with cardiac or respiratory problems.  However, there are other times when it is needed on a temporary basis.  Why are we talking about oxygen?  We'll get back to this shortly...

We needed to waste sometime today, our motorhome was in the shop, getting a leaky hub fixed on the front right wheel. It probably could have waited, but rather put safe then sorry, you just never know about the unknown.

There were several places we concerned to go see; such as the "Caves of the Winds", "Gardens of the Gods", or "U.S. Olympic Training Center", however we had our fur child with us, so those places didn't really work for us.  SO WHAT TO DO????

The decision was to do what we like best - take a scenic drive, see if we could find any fall foliage to enjoy. 

And we did just that.... the aspens didn't let us down!!

Of course you can't go to Colorado and not enjoy the mountains, however sometimes it’s just from a far and other times right in heart of the scenery. Neither of us had ever seen Pikes Peak at close range, so today was our day.

~ Welcome to PIKES PEAK America's Mountain ~



Pikes Peak ranks 31st in elevation among CO's 54 "Fourteeners" @ 14,115 feet

 

Pikes Peak Highway starts at 7,800 and ascend to 14,115 in 19 miles.  If you are not use to altitude you  could become light headed, shortness of breath, or even pass out - this is where having a little oxygen might help out - LOL.   Actually it is not recommended for people who have cardiac or respiratory problems to make the ascent to the summit, nor should you take an infant under the age of 6 months.

 

There are all kinds of amazing Pikes Peak defeats from thrill seekers, fund-raisers and publicity hounds that have been attracted to Pikes Peak for decades. From pushing a peanut to the summit using their nose in only 21 days, to a crew of six who successfully arrived at the windy summit ten hours after leaving the toll gate dripping basketballs and soccer balls, and another group pushed a 5,000 pounds, $10,000 Steinway piano up 2,075 feet in just 2 hours and 29 minutes braving mud, winds, and freezing temps. We only encounter several cyclists challenging themselves to peddle to the summit - that was amazing enough for us.

 

 

 

Did you know the summit views inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write "American the Beautiful" in 1893? 

 

Not too sure today's views could have done the same with all the smoke from the Wyoming fires.  We could only image how stunning the views must be without the smoke. Highly  recommend a visit in the spring before fire season begins! And don't forget your jacket as it get pretty cold in high altitudes.

 

If you prefer not to drive the narrow winding road, you could catch the cog rail train in Manitou Springs. 

 

 

Tell next time, be safe!