Colorado Springs and Great Sand Dunes

Air Force Academy Chapel

We had a great time in the Denver area, touring by day and visiting in the evenings.  Now the next phase of the trip was about to start, so we headed south on I25 toward Colorado Springs.  Along the way we had nice views of the Front Range to the  west and the wide open prairie to the east.  There were even a view mesas along the way.

Our first stop was the Air force Academy.  The campus is built into the foothills of the Front Range with beautiful vistas all around.  Since the campus is relatively new, the buildings all are built in post World War II, modernist architectural styles.  We walked around a small portion of the campus and toured the iconic chapel.  The chapel is built of 17 aluminum clad spires, interspersed with narrow bands of stained glass.  It has design elements from European cathedrals, but in a very modern style.

Rock Formation at Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods, incredible rock formations.  A taste of what is to come.

Went on a quick stroll through OTC gift shop

Great Sand dunes National Park, walked for about 1.5 hrs. and got up only a over the second row of dunes.

Dinner in Alamosa, CO

Drive to Durango, over the San Juans and Wolf Creek pass, too bad it was dark.

Sign near entrance of Olympic Training Center

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park