Colorado Springs, Colorado - Part 2

Cave of the Winds
Another site you shouldn’t miss if you visit the Colorado Springs area is the Cave of the Winds.  We took the tour (about 45 minutes) exploring an immense cavern just above Manitou Springs.  It was Winston's first experience caving and he was a trooper!  Did you know that if you are exposed to ultimate darkness, such as when they shut the lights off in the cave, your eyes will continue looking for a light source of some kind for about a month before they "shut down"?  If after that time, you come out into the light, you will be permanently blind.  Kind of disturbing that we know this.  Anyway, we enjoyed the cave experience quite a bit.

Seven Falls
After Cave of the Winds, we headed off to Seven Falls.  No work involved here.  You pay the park fee and drive right up to the falls.  There is an elevator that will whisk you up to the middle of the falls (saving you from climbing approximately 200 stairs) and from there you have an awesome view.  For those looking for a little more strenuous workout, you can continue on up – approximately another 200 stairs to the top.  Seven Falls is exactly that, seven separate waterfalls which cascade down the side of the mountain.  If you visit in the summer and at night, they even light the falls.  Alas, we weren’t visiting at a time when we could see them at night.

Air Force Academy

Approximately 15 miles from our campground was the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.  Although I wasn’t sure what they would have to offer, I’m am glad we went.  Of course, the chapel building is one of the most famous structures associated with the Air Force Academy and for good reason.  It is spectacular.  The architecture of the building and the use of stained glass in the walls and ceiling make this the most beautiful chapel I’ve ever seen.  Check out the pictures which definitely don’t do justice to the magnificent site.   You get a feeling standing in the chapel and looking at the altar that I can’t begin to describe. 

Exterior of Chapel

 

 

 

 Altar

 

Organ

 

 

Love the stained glass

 

Ceiling

 

Due to the snow and rain during some of our time in Colorado Springs, we missed out on going over Pikes Peak.  Maybe next time.  And that wraps up Colorado Springs for us.  Next stop, Cherry Creek State Park in Denver, Colorado.