Royal Gorge Skycoaster

So our family went to Colorado Springs last week. George had a gymnastics meet and since it was spring break, we all went along. I am a big fan of Colorado! It is absolutely a beautiful state. The first day, we took a train up to the top of Pike's Peak. That was really cool, although we all felt the effects of the high altitude. It is amazing how quickly you recover when you go down a few thousand feet. It was -5 degrees at the top. We huddled inside the store. Steve and I braved the outside. I had to see what I could see from up there. It is so cool to me that they have a train that goes to the top and a road, and a store.

The next day we visited Garden of the Gods. Another beautiful spot. Steve was thrilled to see five deer together and started referring to them as "my deers." George informed us all that he was kind of bored. His boredom disappeared when we got to some rocks that he could climb on. Then we went to the Air Force Academy. It is a stunning campus. I had no idea how huge it would be. But, when you have your own airfield, I guess you have to be pretty big. It's not everyday that you get to see students carrying rifles between classes without having the police called.

The next day we decided to visit the Royal Gorge. My dad told us he has always wanted to go there. On the way there, I told the kids we were going for Grandpa. Cara was shocked, "He's always wanted to go there? Then why doesn't he? I mean, he's going to Africa. He can go to Colorado Springs." When she put it that way, I had to agree. But, it did end up being the highlight of our trip. See the video above. Upon arrival, I told the kids I would pay for them to do the skycoaster if they were brave enough. Sam and Maddie talked about it. George thought he might also. Then Max said he wanted to. I told him no (he had motion sickness every time we got in the car for five days straight). It turned out that Sam saw it and said, "No." I told Maddie and George to go the bathroom (the woman told me quite a few people pee their pants) and decide. George was up for it. Maddie was still deciding. Then she said she would. I went in to pay while Steve and the others went up the hill to watch. Max was with me. He kept saying he wanted to go. I gave in, thinking he wouldn't go when he got the yes. The other kids were already in their gear and outside being strapped on. Max said he was going. Wow! They strapped him in before he could back out. I said I needed to pay for him but the woman said we could take care of it after. So I ran out and up the hill to watch. Steve didn't know Max had gone. As they raised Maddie and George up, Steve noticed another passenger. He saw Max and was quite upset. But it all ended well. The lady didn't even charge me for Max. I think her goal in life is for everyone to go on that skycoaster. And now our younger ones have bragging rights. After it was all done, Sam decided he wanted to go. I had warned him before that he wasn't going to get to go later. So now Sam has to live with the others calling him chicken. Guess what? I'm totally chicken!

And to end our trip, George went to his meet. He placed 12th in the all-around. Pretty respectable for four states.