As our Christmas in Colorado enters its final day before a travel day tomorrow, it's been a busy few last days. When I last wrote, I had 5 more days of reading to finish the Bible. I did two readings on Sunday and two more on Monday. This morning during my 2nd cup of espresso and in advance of climbing the Incline here in Colorado Springs, I finished it! 122 days early on a 365 day chronological plan. I very much enjoyed this, especially reading it chronologically. I most enjoyed the Gospels, those being Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 4 different perspectives on the same story and very often, little details only found in one of the books. I also thoroughly enjoyed the writings of Paul. If you've ever thought about reading the Bible through, I can't recommend the Bible app highly enough. There are many, many plans free to use.
Flipping back a few days to Sunday, it began as a lay-low kind of day. I "attended" church online while the house slept but the forecast was going to be magnificent so once everyone got up, some quick plans were made to head out. We decided on Helen Hunt Falls (no relation to the actress) and thankfully, masks weren't mandated on this trail. It was a short hike but I did venture off trail for awhile to climb much higher with my oldest daughter and nephew. Here are a few photos from that hike.
After, we were took a brief walking tour around the Broadmoor Hotel and Conference Center...a very high dollar facility and operation. I chuckled as we walked in the front door and the bellman said "Welcome back, Sir" as I walked in...as if I were a guest. "Thank you very much," I replied. Ha! Shortly after, we found a little coffee shop tucked away in a nearby neighborhood and I enjoyed a pumpkin mocha and some great conversation with Marjie and her sister. You can tell which one is mine. So good!
That evening, I found a local craft brewery (of which, there are MANY!) and my brother-in-law headed to check it out. I love finding local craft breweries with a cool story AND quality flowing from the tap. Goat Patch Brewing definitely was it! Built within an old elementary school, they are a brewery that really partners with local organizations to support them and raise funds/awareness for them while serving top notch brews. We had to sit outside near the heaters as inside dining is forbidden within the city but still, a great time talking and sipping.
On Monday, it was senior photo shoot day! My youngest and last daughter had a wish to get her senior photos taken on this trip so at 10am, we were at the infamous Garden of the Gods park in advance of the incoming weather system dropping temps fast and snow. It went VERY well! In the end, we got 59 photos delivered to us to do with as we will. Best part? She's happy with them.
Once back at my sister-in-law's house post photo shoot, the temps had fallen, snow was falling and wind picking up. But fitness beckoned! There is one pair of 35lb dumbbells in the house so I grabbed them, did a 360m farmer walk to the local park where I did a workout that made the 28F temperature not feel so cold. 2 rounds of a 100m walking lunge with those dumbbells on my shoulders and 50 air squats. 100m doesn't sound long until you lunge with them! After, some shoulder presses while sitting on a picnic table then carrying those dumbbells back to the house. Time well spent! The remainder of evening was spent inside with a great dinner and just spending time together inside.
So today? The Incline. The less than a mile hike gains over 2000 feet in elevation over 2768 steps. It was originally built as a cable car to carry supplies and pipelines up for Pikes Peak. Once that work completed, it was turned into a cable car tourist attraction but a landslide in 1990 ruined that. The rails were removed but railroad ties remained. That turned into an illegal fitness endeavor for years until they renovated it but fixing those steps. Now, it's free but thanks to COVID, pre-registration is required. We have a 9am spot and then once we reach the top, we'll hike down the Barr Trail back to Manitou Springs. So with that, it's time to get moving!
Have a great day, friends!
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