"But someday they would have to believe."

Our last full day in Colorado brought us one of our most memorable adventures. We split up a little today and the teens took off on a morning hike through Garden of the Gods.  They left bright and early and started their hike easily before 7:00 A.M.  They hiked for about seven miles and made their way to Manitou Springs for lunch (Emma says it was the best burger she had ever had).  

We met them with a change of clothes and headed off to see The Stanley Hotel.  Does that name sound familiar?  Does this long winding road remind you of something?

Daisy was bummed to get back in the car again.  The high altitude and the motion sickness has made her super skinny.  We wouldn't have it any other way than to enjoy this time with her.  We are gone way to long to be apart and didn't want her to think we weren't coming back at all.

Here is a photograph of The Stanley Hotel tucked into the Rocky Mountains.  I looks a little different now since some of the acreage was sold off a few years back.  But the magic was still there.

So why are we here?  The Stanley is known for inspiring Stephen King to write one of our family's favorite stories.  The Shining.

As you recall wandering around a haunted ship did not suit our youngest too well so we knew better this time and Dad stayed with her and Daisy while the rest of us went on the guided tour.

We enjoyed the tour and learned a ridiculous amount of info in a short period of time.  Our guide was very enthusiastic about the history of the land, the Stanley family, the hotel and its ghostly encounters.

We took tons of photos but didn't see any ghost.  

One day we hope to come back and stay in the hotel.  Not just to increase our chances of paranormal encounters but to stay near the sacred ground of Oldman Mountain.

Oldman Mountain is known for its healing energy.  Including Mr. Stanley...which is why he built his hotel here.  Many of you don't know that I have chronic pain that I didn't notice was gone until it came back when we hit Kansas.  Just another reason to keep Colorado on our list of retirement locations. 

Keeping themselves amused while we are on the tour. 

They have put in a maze in honor of The Shining story.

I should add; this morning while the teens were on their hike I took our little one back to one of her favorite Colorado Springs locations.  She loves The Ghost Town Museum, when we were here in the winter it was a life saver.  It gave us an historical experience without the winter cold or roads. Everything in the museum is authentic and recreated inside with lots of hands on fun.

Petrified Wood

She was excited to see an old school VR.

This little guy was waiting for us when we finally got back to our campsite...thanks for looking out for us. Tomorrow we hit the road to make our way back home...keep posted and see where we stop along the way.