Spring has sprung, snow in May?

Monday morning we looked at the forecast for the week, always a good thing to do when you will be moving on.  Turns out that on Wednesday, our scheduled day to move to Golden, the weather will be changing.  We have enjoyed very nice weather in Colorado Springs but a winter storm will be moving in.  We checked with the campground in Golden to see if we could arrive a day early and the answer was YES.  So before heading to Pikes Peak we made the decision to move on Tuesday.

Late morning on Monday we drove over to Manitou Springs for lunch at the Jerusalem Cafe, had a lamb sandwich on flatbread with hummus, pickled turnips and banana pickles,  and then on to the Cog Railway for our trip up to Pikes Peak.  The round trip took about 3 1/2 hours.  The trip up took us past constantly changing scenery.  The vegetation evolved as our elevation up the mountain increased from about 6000 to 14,110 feet.  Eventually we were above the tree line into the tundra where the trees no longer grow and finally we arrived at the summit.  The temperature was down in the 20's and the wind was blowing pretty strong.  We spent a few minutes walking around outside gasping for air then ducked inside the visitor center for a cup of hot chocolate.  The train conductor gave notice that anyone missing the departure would have to walk down the mountain.  I think we all made it aboard on time.

The trip down gave us a second look at the changes in scenery as the elevation changed.

Tuesday morning we said goodbye to Colorado Springs and drove north to Golden, CO.  We arrived at Dakota Ridge RV Park about noon and were led into our paved site.  The park is very roomy with full hookups and well landscaped.  This park is just off the highway so there is road noise but it is convenient to all Golden has to offer.  We got settled in before the winter weather moved in.  Wednesday morning we woke to about 2 inches of snow on the ground, little did we know the snow would continue coming down.  And that it did, snowed non-stop ALL DAY.  By the time we closed the shades at dark, we had about a foot of snow on the ground.  Needless to say these southern kids enjoyed the snow but would not venture out on the roads.

Wednesday was a day filled with enjoying the snow "at home" and wondering what tomorrow will bring.  Thursday morning brought beautiful sunshine with temperatures in the 20's.  Took a while, but the snow did begin to melt.  Forest ventured outside in the afternoon to pull some of the snow off the top of the coach and the truck, like everyone else in the park.  We decided to stay in since the temps did not get above freezing until after lunch.  David and Denise drove over in the afternoon for a little happy hour.  It was good to catch up with them.  We enjoyed a nice dinner in Golden together with plans to get together again in the next few days.

We hope to see a little of the area in the next few days now that the weather is warming up.  Drove out to Hudson to visit the location we will be storing the coach for our trip home in a couple of weeks.  Wanted to see it before we drive the coach there.