Bones of Ancient Mountains and Threatening Skies in Garden of the Gods

 There is a profound sense of awe in wandering among the red monoliths of Garden of the Gods early in the morning. These towering sandstone fins are actually the eroded bones of an ancient, long-vanished mountain range, thrust up and sculpted over millions of years into dramatic shapes. With the early light framing the distant Rampart Range through the natural stone arches, we set out to explore the park before the August heat—and as it turned out, some very serious Colorado weather—arrived.

Framing the distant foothills through the morning sandstone.

Bighorn, Birds, and Bluebird Skies on the Cog Railway

 If you are looking for an unforgettable morning in Colorado, taking a trip up America's Mountain aboard the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is hard to beat. 

Dramatic rock formations along the railway ascent.

When Road Trips Go Jurassic: Family Fun in Woodland Park

 On our way down toward Manitou Springs, we decided a proper Colorado road trip wouldn't be complete without a detour into deep time.

Narrowly escaping a prehistoric ambush outside the center.

We stopped in Woodland Park to check out the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, which turned out to be an absolute hit for everyone in the crew.

An Early Morning Washout with a Silver Lining

Setting the alarm for the crack of dawn to catch the tail end of the Perseid meteor shower requires optimism—and a cooperative atmosphere. Unfortunately, the clear skies promised for this morning completely failed to materialize over the foothills. We managed to catch just a handful of quick shooting stars through the gaps before the clouds claimed the dawn. Still, staying local meant we didn’t have to drive halfway across the state for a washout, we were greeted by a pair of quiet mule deer grazing beside the picnic area road, and besides—we certainly need the rain.

A pair of mule deer grazing along the quiet roadside.

Wherever your travels take you today, may every clouded morning still bring unexpected wildlife and welcome rain.

Don Bergquist – 13 August 2026 – Morrison, Colorado, USA

Pivoting for the Perseids: Matching Shirts and Backyard Skies

 Stargazing road trips always require a degree of flexibility, especially when Mother Nature refuses to cooperate. We had originally planned to drive down to the dark skies of Westcliffe for peak Perseid viewing, but the forecast predicted an uncompromising 100% cloud cover with near certainty. Rather than driving three hours just to stare at a blank overcast ceiling, we decided to scrap the trek and try our luck right here at home in Lakewood. In the meantime, my sister-in-law Helen made sure we stayed in high spirits with these fantastic, custom-designed Colorado 2026 vacation shirts for the entire crew.

Back Row: Don, Tim, Andrew, Eric, Graham

Middle Row: Mary, Yahaira, Helen

Front: Paxton

Wherever your travels take you today, may you always adapt with good humor when the skies refuse to clear. 

Don Bergquist – 12 August 2026 – Lakewood, Colorado, USA

A Staycation for the Pups Ahead of Dark Skies

The family vacation for our dark-sky Perseid meteor shower gathering is officially underway, but the first order of business was making sure the four-legged family members were properly settled. 

Settling in for playtime at the pet resort.