Seven Falls is a waterfall that cascades down pikes peak granite in 7 distinct places. It can be seen from two different locations; an observation deck called the Eagle's Nest or a 224 step stair way that leads to a system of trails (mom stayed back). We climbed up to the Eagle's Nest first. One could either climb 185 steps, or take the mountain elevator. We chose to take the steps. In the following picture Madeleine and Audrey are benefiting from a break at the halfway point.
The rest of the crew as they made their way up.
Once we made it to the observation deck we were greeted by breath taking views.
The crystal clear water of Seven Falls cascading down the canyon.
We had two pictures taken from the Eagle's Nest. In the first one we are all looking at the camera but you can't see the waterfall.
In the second one you can see the waterfall, but Madeleine is not looking at the camera.
I think this next picture is a hoot! Steven had an idea of what he wanted it to look like. He wanted so badly for Madeleine to point at the Seven Falls map with a big grin on her face, but she simply would not cooperate.
Anything I could say about the following pictures would just be a feeble attempt at putting to words the grandeur of what we saw. So, I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.
After climbing to the observation deck, it was time for the big guns . . . the 224 step climb to the top of Seven Falls (the following pictures show just how steep the steps are).
After bravely climbing to The Eagle's Nest, Madeleine was adamant that she did not want to go up the second set of steps and I was comfortable with that. She stayed behind with my mom who is deathly afraid of heights. They each bought a book from the gift shop and stayed behind to read and feed the rainbow trout.
To be honest, after watching the girls climb to the Eagle's Nest I didn't want either one of them to climb the 224 step stair way. On the way up to the observation deck I was behind Audrey envisioning her slipping in between the stairs to her death. Just prior to reaching the top I made her stop and wait for Papa to get her because I was suffering from vertigo. I am terrified of heights too (just not quite to the extent of my mom). However, my desire to get a good look at the falls outweighed my fear. I was determined to do it . . . and so was Audrey. At first Steven and I told her no thinking it was the right thing to do. However, we could see in her eyes how desperately she wanted to do it and that telling her no was making her feel defeated before even getting to try. So, we changed our mind.
The plan was for me to go up the stairs first so I would not have to watch Audrey climb. She was nestled safely in between my dad and Gracie, while the rest of the crew brought up the rear.
We took the following set of pictures at the halfway point.
She is one awesome, determined, and STRONG little girl! Nothing gets in the way of what she sets her mind to.
By the time we made it to the top our hearts were racing and we were heaving (at least I was) due to the altitude. The fact that I sprinted up the steps to get it over with might have also played a part in my heavy panting.
Yet another sign playing on my fears of what might be lurking in the bushes.
Taking a much deserved break. She rocked that climb!
Some wild flowers we encountered on the trail.
Aunt Natalie gave Audrey's little legs a much needed rest.
Shortly after, we made the dreaded decent down. I was terrified, but found that going down was not so bad after all. However, I think Steve would beg to differ. He was as white as a ghost the entire way down because he is deathly afraid of heights also. Until the climb down he had me fooled into thinking he was actually okay. I was clearly mistaken.
After surviving our hike up Seven Falls we each chugged a large bottle of water. Then Audrey and I played with and even fed this very outgoing ground squirrel.
Later that evening, my parents were kind enough to watch the girls for the evening so Steven and I could go on a date. We drove into Woodland Park and ate at a quaint Italian restaurant called Mangia Mangia. This was our view of Pikes Peak on our way into town.
After dinner we took a walk and found an outlook with a bench where you could sit and admire Pikes Peak. We took the most unflattering pictures of each other in front of it. :)
Afterwards we went to Starbucks which is my favorite way to end a date.
This concludes day 4. Our final day in Colorado was spent at the Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. To be continued . . .
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