There were rock climbers on the Gateway Rocks at the Garden of the Gods.

Garden of the Gods (& Red Rock Canyon)

Garden of the Gods is so spectacular that back in Spain, Andrea’s mom mentioned it when we talked about Colorado. She had never been to the Centennial State but had watched a TV program about it.

So when Andrea was in the States, I took her to this area that was generously donated to the city of Colorado Springs by the family of Charles Elliott Perkins in 1909 with the stipulation that it would forever be a public free park. We went on the first Sunday of December, which turned out to be the last warm day of the month: 17C or 63F.

“The weather is about as nice when I was here last during the summer of 2019,” I remarked. But there were far less people this time, an advantage of going during the winter.

One drawback about going during the winter is there is no shuttle to transport people from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center to the natural area itself. But a staffer at the Visitor Center told me how to walk over there, and it was by no means too far. She also gave a recommendation for an excellent 1.5-hour hike and also urged us to go for a short drive to Balanced Rock afterward.

Felix and Andrea underneath Balanced Rock.
Felix and Andrea underneath Balanced Rock.

After Balanced Rock, we drove over to Red Rock Canyon for a short hike.

Andrea standing next to my silver Audi TT Roadster Quattro at Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs.
Andrea standing next to my silver Audi TT Roadster Quattro at Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs.

That natural area is aptly named and the homes there have a fantastic view of it, I imagine.

The homes near Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs had a nice view.
The homes near Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs had a nice view.
Andrea at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, with Garden of the Gods in the background.
Andrea at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center, with Garden of the Gods in the background.
Felix on a pedestrian bridge leading to the Garden of the Gods.
Photo by Andrea
Felix on a pedestrian bridge leading to the Garden of the Gods.
Felix by a log fence with South Gateway Rock in the background.
Photo by Andrea
Felix by a log fence with South Gateway Rock in the background.
Felix and Andrea at Garden of the Gods.
Felix and Andrea at Garden of the Gods.
Felix and Andrea by the rock formation called the Three Graces at Garden of the Gods.
Felix and Andrea by the rock formation called the Three Graces at Garden of the Gods.
There were rock climbers on this rock at the Garden of the Gods.
There were rock climbers on this rock at the Garden of the Gods.
The sun going down behind a big rock at the Garden of the Gods.
The sun going down behind a big rock at the Garden of the Gods.
There were rock climbers on the Gateway Rocks at the Garden of the Gods.
There were rock climbers on the Gateway Rocks at the Garden of the Gods.
Andrea and Felix near Gray Rock (Cathedral Rock) and the Sleeping Giant.
Andrea and Felix near Gray Rock (Cathedral Rock) and the Sleeping Giant.
Felix and Andrea mere steps away from Balanced Rock with Manitou Springs in the background.
Felix and Andrea mere steps away from Balanced Rock with Manitou Springs in the background.