Day 12, Garden of the Gods.

It is packed, but we are fortunate to find a party leaving. Wide paved paths snake around the bright red rocks. Some must be 200ft high. We were surprised to see several teams climbing with ropes. I used to rock climb, but would not have attempted any of these. The maps provided have no scale. I did not realize how far we had to go. “Jan, just imagine you are at the YMCA.” “Yes, I’ve just done ten laps.”

We drive to the end of the park to see an enormous balanced rock. “Jan, I think they have shoved colored cement under it to hold it in place.” We make a statutory stop at the General Store for some last purchases. “Do you think it is going to rain? Let’s eat in the car.” It thunders. “Which of the Gods did that?”

We leave the park following a sign which points us back to I25. That was the last sign we saw. Only one wrong turn. Back on the interstate we look for signs to Denver. We see one pointing to the airport which is close to where we are staying. Surprise! It is a different route. “That’s a toll booth ahead. Jan, I need $1.75!”