Someone recommended Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak to me. I did both, and they were so-so.
After RMNP, it’s tough to be impressed by scenery closer to the city.
I think Pike’s Peak was where I had the most altitude sickness. Between the hairpin turns and the elevation gain, I felt a little lightheaded near the top. I hadn’t really felt it much at RMNP or any of the hikes in Utah, but my guess is that it was the quick ride up that caused it.
I was planned to camp outside of Colorado Springs, but since I didn’t stay long at Garden of the Gods or Pike’s Peak, I drove to the area around Great Sand Dunes National Park area to make the drive the following day shorter.
I went to Locavores in Alamosa, CO, which was AMAZING! I had an Asian salad, which after many days of peanut butter and honey sandwiches and other sandwiches and things that were easy to eat on the go, it was nice to see something healthier feeling.

I had been craving ice cream the past few days, so after, I decided to get a McFlurry, which also hit the spot.
I settled into my camping spot on BLM land.
