“Now THIS is Colorado!”

Thus announced one of the many county welcome signs I passed today. And it was right. Today’s’ vistas were exactly what I had imagined when I first pictured Colorado. Either my teachers or the media have done an excellent job telling me what to expect from the state.

Above the Fruited Plain

…if that fruit is corn.

Today was the day that launched the planning of this entire trip. I’d been kicking around the idea of driving up Pikes Peak since the fall, a few times even considering coming all the way out here for just that purpose, and then turning around and driving back. This morning, I finally got to cross the mountain off my bucket list.

Cows Into Rocks

I knew my breakfast plans from the moment I woke up this morning. Last night, as I was pulling into the rest area, I spotted a sign for an IHOP. Since IHOP is the greatest invention in the history of the human race, there was no doubt what I’d be doing this morning.