Chasing Desert Dreams (CO Continued!)

To all our family and friends who are anxiously awaiting the day when Josh and I will finally 'settle down', you should know that Colorado Springs is definitely on the short list of places we'd LOVE to live! 

We were lucky enough to Couchsurf with an amazing, energetic, athletic and like-minded couple who pointed us to the best running, biking and driving routes in the area.Val and Brenda are both avid runners and share our passion for exercise and healthy eating. They take their golden lab, Buddy on their daily jaunts. It seems pretty easy to stay fit when you enjoy a temperate climate that boasts 300 plus days of sun each year and you can drop down the bluff behind your subdivision and be instantly transported to a rocky, mountainous running trail!

Peanut gets comfy in Buddy's big dog bed!

Peanut's new pal, Buddy

Using their gorgeous house as a base camp, Josh and I woke early to get in our morning bike ride and run on the Santa Fe Trail. Working against the altitude change, we clambered up the rolling hills, waving at dozens of other trail mavens as we passed by.

Our fanciest Couchsurfing digs yet in Val & Brenda's basement suite

We cleaned up from our morning workout, strapped Peanut into his makeshift 'seatbelt' and set out for the drive up Pike's Peak. There is an old cog railway that makes the steep ascent to 14,110 feet. But, Josh and I figured we'd challenge our Mazda 3 warranty and take the scenic 19-mile road to the summit. I kicked it into low gear as we climbed up hills and around switchbacks. 

Winding road up to Pike's Peak

We marveled at the change in temperature and vegetation on the route. The brisk air and golden aspens gave us a taste of those apple orchard autumn days we knew we'd be missing in the desert this fall. 

Fantastic fall color!

We stopped for photos at the reservoir, where families and fisherman lined the shores. We made our way past towering evergreens up to the barren, rocky plateau at the summit.  

From the mountain top, on a clear day, there are spectacular views of four states! We peered out over the vast expanse at the Continental Divide, the cities of Denver, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs and the historic gold camps of Cripple Creek and Victor. 

The road to heaven?

Peanut posing at the summit

On the journey back down the mountain, we made a mandatory stop at the ranger station. The brakes on the Mazda were burning and we were asked to pull over for a while and cool our heels! We shared a cup of Joe and soaked in some more scenery before making it safely back down to the Springs. 

Pike's Peak ranger station

Josh and Peanut in the evergreens

When we couldn't bear to leave Colorado just yet, Val and Brenda were gracious enough to grant us another night's stay! The four of us got dolled up and spent the evening out on the town. We sat on the patio at Southside Johnny's, eating, chatting, people watching and listening to live music. 

As we drove away the next morning, Josh was already on the phone, searching for jobs in Colorado Springs and planning a ski trip this winter. We can't wait to get back to catch up with our new friends!