It was a very quick trip to Colorado between weddings but I was still able to mark off a few things on my to-see list from the area: go to the top of Pikes Peak and see the Molly Brown House.

In the past, we’ve meant to do the Pikes Peak Cog Railway but weather has played a factor and it’s just never worked out so I was super excited when we were able to make it work this go around.  What’s interesting is that we went up first thing in the morning and the skies were blue and it was around 40 degrees.  My friend went around noon and it was snowing and there was a tornado sighted.  Crazy how quickly the weather can change there!  Tip to anyone going?  Ask for tickets on the 3 seat side, it has the better views.

Molly Brown has always been one of my favorite survivors from the Titanic.  You may have heard the rumor that I’m a huge Titanic fan (this site used to be a Titanic fansite!) and seeing Molly Brown’s house has always  been on the “to-do” list when in Colorado but I’ve either never made it anywhere close or it was closed in the past.  I missed the big “Titanic” year there (BOO!) but it was still quite exciting to FINALLY tour her home which was simply amazing.  Sadly, no photographs were permitted inside but I did make up for it outdoors.  Ironically my favorite thing in the whole house was one of her dresses, it was simply amazing.  The house is also quite amazing and wonderfully restored.  Two thumbs up from me!

So here’s a quick virtual vacation to Colorado!

Such a great house for such an amazing woman!

I surfed a bunch of different hotels when I was in Colorado.  It was funny going from the quirky and awesome The Curtis in Denver to the charming and sweet The Lennox House in Colorado Springs.

PS:  I would LOVE to shoot a wedding at The Curtis, just in case anyone was wondering.  I kept seeing such great spots for portraits in the hotel and it was sad to not have a couple to photograph!!!

The next morning we got up really early to make it to our 8AM start time for the Cog.  This view was what greeted us at the top.

America the Beautiful was written about the views from Pikes Peak.

One last view before we boarded the cog to head back down to Manitou Springs.

I loved this little building along the way!

My first time above the tree line on the ground!

After Pikes Peak we headed up to Cripple Creek to gamble for a bit… and after winning $200 + on around $5 I called it a day… in less than an hour.  Ha!

I loved seeing all of the random gold mines along the drive back to Manitou Springs!

Remember the crazy weather I talked about?  Here you can’t even see the peak of Pikes Peak due to the weather, this is when my friend was on top!  Crazy!

I loved the dramatic view of the Garden of the Gods against the crazy skies in this image!