Seven Falls

We hit Manitou Springs on Thanksgiving Day but the accommodations we had booked and the road construction made the whole area a disaster. We tried to drive up Pikes Peak since the railroad had closed early this year, but they did not open the drive until 10am and we were there at 8. Sometimes being and early bird is not to your benefit. We drove on to Seven Falls. It was closed when we were up this way in 2014 following flooding. The owner at that time could not afford the repairs and sold it to The Broadmoor.

  

No, I did not climb these steps. 

We have a photo almost 100 years old of Sam's grandfather
and great uncle on mule-back in this same spot. (except for
the pavilion)

Finally tried the timer on my camera.

A bit of history in the cave-like walkway to the elevator

An elevator will take you this far. We declined to hike/climb higher. 

Local community has a movement where people paint rocks
with nice sayings and leave them somewhere someone will
find it and smile. I found this one that reads: Hello Gorgeous.
On a cold morning after a so-so night of sleep it sure made me smile.

Eagle eye Sam spotted this hawk from a great distance. Using
maximum zoom I managed to get several good shots.