Exploring is fun, they said. Drive up to Pikes Peak, they said–its better than the cog railway. Get out at the photo stops–see the mountains.
So, that’s what we did. We decided to try it out and drive up to Pikes Peak. America’s Mountain. It wasn’t too bad going up–until an Escalade cut us off on a curve, a Silverado tailgated us until we could pull over for them to pass, and another Colorado license plated car was nearly on the bumper of the truck.
What the heck people?! You are driving UP a mountain with curves, turns, zig zags, 10-25 mile an hour speed limits and you want to ride the bumper of a truck?
Lord. I can’t even.
About 13,000 feet elevation I started to sweat. Tears began rolling down my cheeks and my exact words were, “I can’t do this. We might die. It’s too much.”
More tears kept coming. I gripped the door handle so bad that there was an imprint of it on my palm.
I squeezed my water bottle and dropped it because my hands were so sweaty. We began the drive down and we had to stop and let our brakes cool (as the rangers give mandatory brake checks).
I couldn’t breathe. I think altitude and crying aren’t a combo anyone should try. My head and heart were still pounding and I apologized to Sam. I even asked to go to a Walmart we saw in route to Pikes Peak. I begged to go shopping.
At the break stop we still had to navigate the rest of Pikes Peak Road. Sigh.
But then there was this sign.
Also. It rained occasionally as we made this journey.
To distract myself and “relax” I found the bag of cinnamon covered almonds from the gift shop. You know, these.
I managed to eat them with my eyes somewhat closed, and my seat nearly reclined in the truck.
Don’t get me wrong, mountains are beautiful. They really are.
I just don’t want to drive up one or around one ever again.
Sam even said that Pikes Peak and some of the mountains we’ve seen aren’t anything like the mountains in Afghanistan.
Today we relax. I am s l o w l y adjusting to this altitude thing, just in time to start our travels back to our homeland tomorrow.
At least we get to make some fun, non-life threatening stops along the way.
Bless your hearts! It’s great that Sam is a profesional driver!
What adventures and tall tales you will be telling around the campfire for years to come. Love the Bigfoot Crossing sign.
Just think! It’s all down hill coming home. Enjoy the ride!