Pikes Peak

This morning we are up early and head out to Pikes Peak as Daryl has this on his wish list of places to see and drive up.

This really is the long and windy road - it is 20 miles to the top but they warn us that it takes 80 miles of fuel and first gear is required.  We have just over half a tank so off we go winding our way to the top over the switchbacks with sides that drop away to nowhere again!

We make it to the top (a bit too slowly for Daryl)...... and get out to take a look at the view.  It is 14,115 feet high, about 2,000 ft more than Mount Cook, and the air is very thin.

The switchbacks are amazing and the drop off is a tad scary in places but the views are a worth the drive.

Half way down they do a mandatory brake check to ensure your car is okay to continue otherwise you have to pull over and wait till things cool down....... We were okay as Daryl had been using first gear on the way down.

We stop in Manitou Springs to look around once we reached the bottom and found a humming little tourist town with art shops, cafe's, jewellery & the usual array of tourist shops.

Not sure about the bear in the middle....

Heading back to camp we also stop at Old Colorado City downtown.

 Painting on the side of the building downtown - quite cool and not something you see every day.

Back to camp for another night of stormy weather but again it passes us over and heads out over the plains making a spectacular display on its way.