fter leaving the conference in Santa Fe, I embarked on the longest stretch of pure driving that I've done on the journey thus far. From Santa Fe to Colorado Springs is a length of about 300 miles of nearly unpopulated country. The dry mesas, foothills and ranchlands of southern Colorado are especially inspiring. Had I more time, I would have made a few explorations around the quaint old mining towns of Trinidad and Walsenburg.
I had to hurry up to Colorado Springs, though, because I was slated to meet a guy named Andrew Koransky. Andrew is from Atlanta and is currently traveling on a trip of his own around the U.S., updating a website with his discoveries and adventures. I guess you could say that we are brothers-in-arms, trying to define the artistic medium known informally as the "ongoing digital journey." He has also submitted some written work to the Issues page that details some of the land use issues that he learned while volunteering at the Cumberland Island National Seashore last year in Georgia.
We met up at the local Safeway to grab grub before heading off into Pike National Forest for some camping and mountain biking.
Pike's Peak rules this land and is the backdrop for every activity. Wherever we went, its windy snow-packed spire stood out in the sky, daring us mortal humans, of mere flesh and bone, to conquer its rock and ice. I can hold it up. Please note the trash bag next to me in the photo which contains a good 20 pounds worth of refuse that Andrew and I cleaned up from this otherwise perfect campsite. Congratulations, Colorado denizens for decorating your national forest with the most debris I have ever witnessed at a campsite in the U.S.
We spent a day rolling our bikes around on the multi-use dirt roads and singletrack at Lovell Gulch just north of Woodland Park and about 15 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. There are several public parks in the area (aside from forest lands) that provide a playground for recreationalists. Check out the Trails and Open Space Coalition's website for information on progressive efforts in the Pike's Peak region to permanently preserve the natural landscape for habitat maintenance and public use.
The weather here in the springtime is a puppet that the burning morning sun controls on strings of blue and white. Each day as the snow melts and evaporates on the peaks, puffy clouds grow and roil in the sky, darkening the earth. A blessing in disguise, this daily heavenly troop build-up cooled the air and peppered us with refreshing raindrops during our rides. There is nothing like a long roll of thunder and an ominous vista view to help pump the pedals.
In the evening, Andrew and I swapped some good stories, traded the secrets to successful adventuring and pulled down a couple of brews in front of a nice fire. Many times we just sat in silence, enjoying the yammering of birds on branches that arced and swayed in the wind at dusk. Without having to clutter up the marvelous scene with verbose and insecure prattling, we each knew clearly why we had come here. There's not one day that you are living that has been promised to you.
The next morning, we headed back to Colorado Springs to
visit an amazing natural formation known as the Garden of the Gods. The Garden is a grouping of dramatic red rock formations eroded through time into tall fins and towers. A favorite local climbing spot, the rocks are crawling with sinewy bodies. It's very fun to watch the different techniques that people use to scramble up a cliff. The key word for me is "watch." Some people revel in the thrill of the climb but I just freeze up like I've got a load in my shorts. Plus I'm about as flexible as a two-by-four.
Mountain biking is my game, being close to the ground and all. Unfortunately, bikes aren't allowed among the rocks but there are some fun trails just to the southeast that are open on an experimental basis. It is definitely a worthy day trip.
At the end of the day, Andrew and I departed company to continue our own respective journeys. I wish him the best of travels as we speed into the unknown.
I had to hurry up to Colorado Springs, though, because I was slated to meet a guy named Andrew Koransky. Andrew is from Atlanta and is currently traveling on a trip of his own around the U.S., updating a website with his discoveries and adventures. I guess you could say that we are brothers-in-arms, trying to define the artistic medium known informally as the "ongoing digital journey." He has also submitted some written work to the Issues page that details some of the land use issues that he learned while volunteering at the Cumberland Island National Seashore last year in Georgia.
We met up at the local Safeway to grab grub before heading off into Pike National Forest for some camping and mountain biking.
Pike's Peak rules this land and is the backdrop for every activity. Wherever we went, its windy snow-packed spire stood out in the sky, daring us mortal humans, of mere flesh and bone, to conquer its rock and ice. I can hold it up. Please note the trash bag next to me in the photo which contains a good 20 pounds worth of refuse that Andrew and I cleaned up from this otherwise perfect campsite. Congratulations, Colorado denizens for decorating your national forest with the most debris I have ever witnessed at a campsite in the U.S.We spent a day rolling our bikes around on the multi-use dirt roads and singletrack at Lovell Gulch just north of Woodland Park and about 15 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. There are several public parks in the area (aside from forest lands) that provide a playground for recreationalists. Check out the Trails and Open Space Coalition's website for information on progressive efforts in the Pike's Peak region to permanently preserve the natural landscape for habitat maintenance and public use.
The weather here in the springtime is a puppet that the burning morning sun controls on strings of blue and white. Each day as the snow melts and evaporates on the peaks, puffy clouds grow and roil in the sky, darkening the earth. A blessing in disguise, this daily heavenly troop build-up cooled the air and peppered us with refreshing raindrops during our rides. There is nothing like a long roll of thunder and an ominous vista view to help pump the pedals.
In the evening, Andrew and I swapped some good stories, traded the secrets to successful adventuring and pulled down a couple of brews in front of a nice fire. Many times we just sat in silence, enjoying the yammering of birds on branches that arced and swayed in the wind at dusk. Without having to clutter up the marvelous scene with verbose and insecure prattling, we each knew clearly why we had come here. There's not one day that you are living that has been promised to you.
The next morning, we headed back to Colorado Springs to
visit an amazing natural formation known as the Garden of the Gods. The Garden is a grouping of dramatic red rock formations eroded through time into tall fins and towers. A favorite local climbing spot, the rocks are crawling with sinewy bodies. It's very fun to watch the different techniques that people use to scramble up a cliff. The key word for me is "watch." Some people revel in the thrill of the climb but I just freeze up like I've got a load in my shorts. Plus I'm about as flexible as a two-by-four.Mountain biking is my game, being close to the ground and all. Unfortunately, bikes aren't allowed among the rocks but there are some fun trails just to the southeast that are open on an experimental basis. It is definitely a worthy day trip.
At the end of the day, Andrew and I departed company to continue our own respective journeys. I wish him the best of travels as we speed into the unknown.
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