Many tourists come to Denver, the capital of Colorado (USA), to find resorts for skiing, but we took the opposite route to Colorado Springs, about a two-hour drive away, just to watch the snow fall...
The park of divine stones
Singing softly, "It's snowing outside, let's go to Colorado Springs this afternoon," I sped along, taking my loved one to explore the "Garden of the Gods," a stunning rock park on the outskirts of the city that was designated a National Natural Heritage Site in 1971.
This natural rock garden is a popular tourist attraction, along with other major Colorado Springs landmarks such as Wind Cave and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where you can see giraffes and antelopes. The towering rock formations, millions of years old, and even fossilized dinosaur specimens on display in the museum create a mysterious allure.
The area is over 5,500 m².2This place is open to visitors free of charge and year-round. The rock formations, resembling giant, diverse mushrooms, emerge from the ground, creating a uniquely beautiful landscape. We told our jeep driver about the famous Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, known for its thousands of islands, and said that calling it "Ha Long Bay on land" wouldn't be an exaggeration!
The tour guide also happily mentioned that this place is known as the "Beer Garden of the Gods," featuring many specialty beers from Colorado, thanks to the clear, cool water sourced from the Rocky Mountains.
The train through the gorge
After visiting the "Garden of Eden," we headed straight to the city of Cañon, with its unique tilde above the "n," to board the Royal Gorge Route train. This railway line serves approximately 125,000 passengers annually and leaves a positive impression on visitors from all over the world.
Having started operating in the 1950s, departing from Santa Fe station, this historic two-hour train journey is now very efficient. Although the ticket price isn't cheap, each train still averages 300-400 passengers, and some trips even carry up to 800. Of course, in the winter, the feeling of being warm inside the train and watching the snow fall is truly enchanting.
We decided to choose a Colorado specialty, the bison burger, for lunch. The beef was tender and tasted very different from the kind I usually eat at fast food restaurants. Passengers sitting nearby were served popular local drinks like Coors beer, Budweiser, and The Winery wines, thanks to the conveniently located bar inside the train car.
Rich, CEO of the Royal Gorge tourist train, further explained: “This train is named after the Royal Gorge. Anyone who comes here should try crossing the Royal Gorge suspension bridge and experiencing the train ride through these precarious gorges.”
That piqued our curiosity, so after our train journey ended, that suspension bridge became our next destination. The Royal Gorge was the highest suspension bridge in the United States from its construction in 1929 until 2003.
Walking along this bridge while it's snowing is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your body is freezing cold, but your head is burning hot from the blazing sun, because the altitude here brings us closer to the sun.
We traveled by cable car called a gondola. This is a "peaceful" way to get around and enjoy the beautiful scenery, taking only about 5 minutes to cross to the other side of the mountain. Below, we saw young pine trees... bathed in snow, a few mountain goats foraging in the winter weather, and a tour bus huddled together waiting for its departure time.
On the way back, I joined the hikers to get a firsthand look at the incredibly large cables, to hold my breath as I gazed down into the canyon through the holes in the bridge's planks, or to taste the snow still clinging to the sides. From up high, the feeling of being tiny and precariously perched amidst nature was truly amazing!
Snow paradise on Pikes Peak
Back in the city center, we checked into The Antlers Wyndham, a hotel with a history closely tied to the city, located on S. Cascade Road. The first hotel, built in 1883 by the Antlers, burned down in 1898 and reopened in 1967. The second Antlers hotel, completed in 1901, was demolished in 1964 to make way for the current one. From the window of our VIP room, overlooking the city skyline, the Pikes Mountains seemed to beckon us to conquer them tomorrow...
At 4,300 m (14,110 feet) above sea level, Mount Pikes is known as "the mountain of the United States." It is the main peak of the Rocky Mountains, the second highest in North America, and the second most visited mountain in the world.
The Grayline bus, slowly making its way along the winding road, will start your excitement right from the foot of the mountain. Of course, the higher you go, the thicker the snow will fall, so conquering Pikes Peak in winter is a daunting challenge that not everyone can accomplish. However, once you stand on the summit of Pikes, a snowy paradise will unfold before your eyes. A sweet donut – a "specialty" made at the summit – will help you regain energy and take stunning photos with the snow.
If you enjoy adventure, you can hike to the summit via the spectacular Barr Trail. This gravel trail is over 19 km long, at an altitude of over 2,400 m. You'll have to navigate winding paths through forests, meadows, streams, and rocky slopes. Be aware, this isn't an easy trek, and it can take 6 to 10 hours to reach your destination. Additionally, the waterfalls at Seven Falls and Hellen Hunts, when covered in snow and ice, are also great photo opportunities for visitors from warmer climates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Visa:You should plan your trip to the US early, applying for a visa six months to a year before your departure date. To successfully obtain a US visa, you need to prepare your documents carefully, fill out the electronic application form, pay the visa fee, schedule an interview appointment, and then wait for the scheduled interview date at the US Embassy or Consulate.
Trip:From Vietnam, you need to take an international flight to Denver airport, followed by a domestic flight to Colorado Springs.
Means of transportation:Streetcars and buses are very convenient forms of public transportation in Colorado Springs.
Weather:The snow season in Colorado Springs runs from December to April, and while it doesn't always snow heavily, temperatures are guaranteed to drop below freezing at night.oC.
Accommodation:Colorado Springs offers a wide variety of hotels at different price points. If you're a history buff, you can stay at The Antlers for just $152 per night, or experience the five-star Broadmoor – a hotel that has hosted heads of state, celebrities, and professional athletes – for around $420 per night.
Cuisine:Colorado Springs is a culinary paradise with renowned dishes such as Rocky Mountain oysters, lobster, Colorado-style pizza, lamb chops, Palisade peaches, bison, and more. It also boasts numerous Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants for Vietnamese travelers who may find it difficult to adapt to unfamiliar cuisine.
Note:The Colorado Springs City Visitor Center (515 S. Cascade Avenue / Phone: 719.685.7639) is the address you should note down if you want to find more information for your trip here.
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