Resort and Spa Time

After the winds blew us out of Kansas, we headed further west to Colorado. Our first stop was Pueblo where we planned a night at a Cracker Barrel. When we arrive at a Crackle Barrel, we always check with the manager to confirm we can spend the night. This is the first time that the manager said no. He explained that they had too many people stay for days and wouldn’t leave. It was near other businesses including a Walmart and he said none of them currently allow overnight parking.

There were a few hotels nearby, so we just got a room. The hotel recommended a restaurant down the street within walking distance. Unfortunately, we had to cross the street and there was a bend near where we were crossing Tim and Trent started to cross, and a car came quickly around the bend. I yelled look out and Tim quickly stepped back and pulled Trent with him. When he did that, he felt his back go out. As you can see, Pueblo wasn’t a good stop for us.

Since Tim needed time to rest and let his back heal, he wanted to go somewhere with a spa where he could get a massage. I found the Hotel Polaris in Colorado Springs; they had availability and an onsite spa. We decided to stay 3 nights and relax a bit. What a beautiful setting for relaxation. The hotel has walls of windows in many areas with fantastic views of the mountains, including Pikes Peak. The hotel sits at the entrance to the US Air Force Academy which you can also view from the windows as well as from a walking trail near the hotel.

entrance to the air force academy - view from the hotel

We lucked out with grand opening of the Hosmer Visitors Center happening the weekend we were there, so we got to be one of the first visitors. They did a great job on the center and we learned quite a lot about the Air Force and the academy.

visitors center at the air force academy

an afternoon storm rolling in so we didn’t get to enjoy these outdoor games and patio at the hotel.

The weather wasn’t the greatest during our stay but we lucked out with a very pretty day when we visited the Garden of the Gods. This is a beautiful park in the City of Colorado Springs with mountain view’s and towering red rock formations and it is free to visit. We enjoyed the views on the walk up to the tall red spires of rock and as we walked through the rocks. It was absolutely stunning.

At the other end of the parking lot was Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site. This site is a museum and farm that provides the information on life in the Pikes Peak area from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. It was also free to enter so an unexpected bonus for us.

The rest of the time we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves at the hotel. I tried to use the pool, but unfortunately thunder storms rolled in every afternoon, so I only got in one swim. Tim got a massage the first afternoon which helped his back a little. One evening, Dave and Michelle, Aunt Tish’s stepson and his wife, joined us for drinks and dinner at the hotel. They live north of Colorado Springs so the location worked well for a get together. We had a very enjoyable visit with them.

Our plan was head north to Cheyenne, WY next but the weather forecast wasn’t great. There was a cold front rolling in and bringing sleet and snow to the area. We decided to stay in Colorado for 2 more nights to avoid the colder temperatures. We chose the Best Western in Firestone, CO for 2 nights. While it also got colder there, they were only getting rain, not snow. I wish I could have gone up to Rocky Mountain National Park since it wasn’t too far from Firestone, but they got over a foot of snow that day in the park. I really didn’t want to try driving in the snow. Instead, we hung out at the hotel, swam at the indoor pool and visited a local brewery. Not a bad place to stop to wait out the weather.

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