Several thoughts came to mind when we saw this particular photo challenge. After some consideration, we ended up going back to a subject that we did a post on not that long ago, Native American dancers. Obviously the photograph is from pre-digital days, so the quality is probably not what you’re used to for most of our posts, but that doesn’t make it any less poignant as far as we’re concerned. Their dance combines nature, history, culture in a rhythmically mesmerizing swirl that is truly hypnotizing.
Tag: colorado springs
AdAmAn Club – New Year’s Eve on Pikes Peak
Living at the base of “America’s Mountain”, Pikes Peak, provides some truly wonderful scenery. The summit, at 14,110 feet (about 4300 meters), looms above Colorado Springs and is a constant reminder of what a beautiful state that we live in. One of our favorite New Year’s Eve traditions is going out into our front yard, weather permitting, and watching the firework display from the top of Pikes Peak. The AdAmAn club has been climbing to the top of Pikes Peak every year since 1922 to light up the night sky. We stand in awe as we watch the fireworks, not so much of the light display, but of the members who have hiked to top of the peak to set them off for all of us to see.
We’ve been to the summit several times, by car, by the cog railway, and we even hiked it once. We hiked it in the middle of summer and can only imagine what it would be like to hike it in the bitter cold and snow of winter. Going up the Barr trail to the summit of Pikes Peak was, without a doubt, the most difficult hike we’ve ever done. We have tremendous respect to the men and women (they recently started allowing women to join the club) who make the annual trek to top of the peak, regardless of the weather. Even if the weather doesn’t allow them to shoot off the fireworks, the intrepid group still makes the arduous climb every year.
Back in 1922, a group of five adventurous men decided that they wanted to do something unique to celebrate New Year’s Eve and decided to climb to the summit of Pikes Peak. Fred and Ed Morath, Fred Barr (who created the trail that the club now hikes), Willis Magee, and Harry Standley made up the original group. The weather on that first climb to top of the peak on New Year’s Eve was extremely cold and snowy. Because the snow was so deep that year, the group decided to go up the Cog Railway tracks, which had been running since 1889, instead of the Barr Trail. At 9 miles, it was shorter than the 13 miles on the Barr Trail, but was also more treacherous and dangerous. At Windy Point, about a thousand feet above the tree line, the snowy conditions and wind had created snow drifts that were almost impassible, but the group managed to make their way through. When they reached the summit, the “Frozen Five” as they were to become known, sheltered in the old summit house and thawed themselves out. They had picked up flares that had been left by the railroad workers and at midnight, proud of their accomplishment, they lit their flares and fireworks that they’d brought with them, and the tradition began.
The following year, Fred and Ed Morath suggested the name AdAmAn (pronounced “Add A Man”) for the group and declared that they would only add one new member every year. The group has continued to add one member every year ever since over the past 90+ years. It may have seemed a highly unlikely choice for a New Year’s Eve tradition, but for those of us who watch in awe every year, we are glad that they decided to make the trek all those years ago. While other’s are singing “Auld Lang Syne” in crowded ballrooms, surrounded by balloons, we’ll continue to toast champagne, bundled in heavy coats, and watching the fireworks from the top of Pikes Peak. It is one of our treasured memories and something that we look forward to year after year.
A Day at the Zoo
Over the weekend we visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo located here in Colorado Springs. Having been to zoo’s in many other cities, including Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, and Dallas, just to name a few, we can say that this zoo is truly world class. Situated in the foothills south of Pikes Peak, the zoo is the only mountainside zoo in America. The exhibits are all meant to take advantage of the areas’ natural beauty as well as provide an environment suitable for each of the over 750 animals, representing nearly 150 species, 30 of which are on the endangered list, that inhabit the zoo. We enjoy the zoo so much that we decided to become members so that we could benefit the animals as well as give us the opportunity to enjoy more of the special events that are held at the zoo.
Since the zoo sits in the mountains, you’ll want to bring your walking shoes as the zoo is spread out across over 140 acres and there is a good gain in elevation as you work your way up through each of the different exhibit zones. And if the views on the ground aren’t good enough, there is a chairlift ride that will take you over top of the zoo where you can see for miles around. Each section of the zoo is set up to mirror the natural habitats of the animals within it and each also has unique attractions, making it a joy for all to explore.
You start in the African Rift Valley which is home to the giraffes and meerkats. From there you can head to Encounter Africa with the Rhinos and Elephants or to Asian Highlands with an assortment of big cats. You’ll definitely want to check out the Rocky Mountain Wild for a look at the grizzlies and mountain lions or take a look at the wallabies in the Australia Walkabout. There are plenty of places to stop and rest as you make your way through the zoo and there is even a place to get an adult beverage if you’re in the mood.
Sitting above the zoo, and included in your price of admission, is the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. At 8,136 feet above sea level, it has spectacular views and is well worth the short drive up the side of the mountain. Built by Spenser Penrose and dedicated to Will Rogers who died in plane crash in Alaska in 1935, the tower has been a landmark in the area since its completion in 1937. Its a tuff walk up the stairs to the top, but you won’t regret it.
Regardless of what animal is your favorite, whether you have kids or don’t, a day at the zoo is a day well spent. For the first time this autumn, the temperatures felt seasonable and cool, which everyone seemed to enjoy, including the animals who all seemed to be very active. As the Simon and Garfunkel song says in their song At the Zoo, everyone should take some time to go the zoo “and the animals will love it if you do”.