This morning, we took a ride on Pike's Peak Cog Railroad. When I called yesterday afternoon to make reservations, the prerecorded message said that the earliest available trip was the 12:00pm one. I'd been hoping to take the 9:20am train so that we explore other places in the afternoon. Luck was on my side, and they had an opening on the earlier train for us. So, after breakfast at the hotel we headed to the railway.
Our starting point, elevation 6571 feet
Ga-Ga and B-saurus on the train
Views from our ascent
We started off with clear weather but as we ascended the peak the weather progressively became cloudier. According to the lady at the front desk of our hotel, they hadn't had any rain for 2 months until yesterday. On one hand, you're glad that they are getting some much needed rain but on the other...it sure would have been nice to have clear views for our visit.
B-saurus ended up falling asleep on Ga-Ga's lap for our trip up. Kakes and Pat were still excited but Malone's enthusiasm had started to wane. She complained that she was afraid and that her stomach hurt. So, she came and sat on my lap. That made it a little difficult to take pictures as it seemed as if her head was always in the way. By the time she moved, whatever I was trying to capture was long gone.
View above the timberline
Yellow-bellied marmot
We were stopped to let another train pass by us to head down the mountain and Pat started hollering excitedly that there was a weasel. I guess he wasn't paying attention when the guide was telling us what animals we might see on our trip. From our stopping point you could see the Pike Peak's highway.
If you look real closely, you can see the cars. Also, the white stuff is snow!
We've reached the top (and we're not happy)!
We've reached the top (and we're a little happier than our sisters)!
Looking off the observation platform
Happy because we're getting ready to board the train and go down the mountain
Arriving at the summit of Pike's Peak should have been a wonderful experience. But, as can be the case with 4 children, it wasn't. The big concern was getting something to eat. None of them could have cared less about the views. They just wanted some popcorn and cotton candy and to go back down the mountain. Both B-saurus and Malone whined about how they wanted mittens because it was so cold. Yes, it was cold. The temp was 37 degrees F with a wind chill of 32 degrees. We only had 35 minutes or so on the summit so I wanted the kids to walk around first and see what they could see. It was one of those times as a parent that I should have gone ahead and gotten the snacks they wanted. They might have enjoyed their time on the summit a little if I had. By the time the kids grudgingly walked around(or in the case of M and B carried) and I purchased the snacks, the whistle blew and we only had a few minutes left. You weren't supposed to take popcorn back on the train but I stuck it in a plastic bag and threw it into the backpack. B-saurus, of course, saw me do it and kept loudly proclaiming that she wanted that popcorn that was "Right There!". We distracted her some and she did enjoy the view that she had slept through on the way up. Malone fell asleep before the train started moving.
She slept the entire trip down the mountain.
You'd think the way the kids acted on the summit that they'd think the excursion was miserable. But no, when asked what they liked about the trip there was nothing but positive remarks. Pat: "I liked everything!" Kakes: "The views from the summit were amazing!" Malone: "That was really fun!" I was beginning to wonder if these were the same children we had with us on the train ride. I guess a little popcorn and cotton candy cheered them up.
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