Two iconic places to visit in Colorado...plus a stop in Manitou Springs for lunch. Garden of the Gods is reminiscent of Bryce Canyon National Park on a smaller scale. Hoodoos jut out from the earth giving many “Wow” moments. Pikes Peak, where oxygen level is at 60%, did not disappoint. While a cog train was not currently running up the mountain, the railings were there showing the tallest altitude for a train in the United States. Inside the visitor center, there is historical information including the origination of “America, the Beautiful” by Katherine Lee Bates who jotted down her thoughts while visiting the peak with some of her colleagues. Mason, our tour guide, gave us ample time to explore...and kept us safe during our 9,000+ feet climb from Denver!