Two Alabama Natives Visit the Garden of the Gods

In June 2013 we were in Colorado for a family wedding, and during the trip my daughter Becca Leon and I visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. We've been there before, but it's always a spectacular place. And it was a glorious day to spend some time there with the daughter. A few of the many photos we took that day are below.

Garden of the Gods is a public park established in 1909 and designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. The rock formations resulted when the Rocky Mountains were created. The park has a visitors' center and offers many recreational opportunities. 

If you are in the area, it's well worth a visit. The place may not be as imposing as Pikes Peak, but it's a lot prettier. More information is available on the park's web site and it's Wikipedia entry. 

What does any of this have to do with Alabama history? Beats me...but it sure is random!

Approaching the park and some of its many distinctive red rocks. 

Here's a view from the visitor center parking lot.

They seem to have deer in Colorado too. 

Pikes Peak looming in the background, as it does everywhere in this part of Colorado.

Rock climbing is popular in the park, and we saw several teams on various outcroppings. 

The Perkins Central Garden Trail is over a mile in length, paved and wheelchair-accessible. 

Here's daughter Becca, disguised as a tree-hugger. The quaint village of Manitou Springs is visible in the background.

Some of the late spring flora in the park