Pike's Peak Cog Train

We had been planning on riding the cog train to Pike's Peak.  We watched to weather and decided today would be our best opportunity for a clear day.  We were not disappointed!  There was not a cloud in the sky this morning.

Our trip was to begin at 10:40 and we had to arrive at the station thirty minutes before departure time.  We arrived at about 10, parked the car and got our tickets without any problems.

We waited and our train arrived.  We loaded and began the journey upward to Pike's Peak.

As we were climbing, we thought we might have been on the wrong side of the train.  It seemed like everything that was being pointed out was on the other side.

As we began to get higher, we realized we had wonderful views.  Words just can't describe what we saw.  It was a clear day all the way up so we could see forever.

We reached the top to even more spectacular sights.  It was a chilly 41 degrees on the top, but with the sun shining it didn't seem that cold.  That is, until we went inside the Summit House where it was warm.  We had hot chocolate and the high altitude donuts.

Katherine Lee Bates took the wagon up to the summit in 1893 and was inspired to write America the Beautiful from the view at the top.  She later wrote:

One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.

 On our trip downward, we caught the other cog train waiting for us to pass.

There was also a chaser car behind us.

One more view before reaching the bottom.

We made it back down and found a Rudy's (a favorite Texas barbecue chain) to have lunch.

After lunch, we returned home.  Lisa and Karli are leaving to go back to Austin tomorrow, so they had to get things ready to go.  We have had a wonderful time together sharing so many moments.