final day explosion.

In classic "Ashley and Megan" style, we blew up our last day together.

 It started with driving up the 14,115 ft summit of Pike's Peak near Colorado Springs.

Pikes Peak has an old cog rail train that travels to the summit. Ashley and I opted out of this method of ascension, but it does seem pretty neat.

It was a frosty 30-some degrees at the top. While we were exploring we were dusted with a light layer of snow.

Ashley was doing great, but I could tell that the altitude was getting to her sea-level lungs, so we took the windy road back down the mountain. 

We stopped in a cute little town, Manitou Springs for lunch. While we sitting there eating and listening to the country music radio station playing, the song "Don't Forget to Remember Me" by Carrie Underwood came on. The next thing I knew, I was getting emotional. Ever heard it? Well, I hate country music, but I'm such a sap that any song that talks about moving from family and those you love instantly makes my throat tight and my eyes water. Take a listen - 

Ohh, my heart...

Anyway - 

Next on our list was the famous Garden of the Gods. It was stunning. 

We climbed all around, then sat at the top of some rocks enjoyed the view and watched some boys rock climb. 

That's Pikes Peak in the distance on the far right ^

Relatively last minute, we decided to drive to the Royal Gorge to see the famous suspension bridge. We made it 45 minutes before the park closed.

The bridge looks surprisingly rickety. Scariest moment of my life driving my Sentra across that bridge. It rattled and rocked, and for fear of seeing boards dropping out from behind my vehicle, I couldn't bring myself to look in my rear view mirror.

The drop is a plunging 956 feet to the river below. After we made it safely across I parked the car and we went exploring.  Normally I would say I'm not afraid of heights, but this was terrifying! Maybe it was because the wind making the bridge sway. Maybe it was the petrifying view of the plummeting depths below as seen through the gaps between the boards, but I was a-shaking!

 Not sure who would try fishing off of a bridge that high, but thanks for the sign..

We made it back across in one piece and started the long trek back to Lakewood.

Wednesday I went into work early in the morning and Ashley got a super shuttle to the airport.  It was sad seeing her leave, but I'm so glad she was able to visit.  It's wonderful seeing all of the beautiful sites of Colorado, and so much more enjoyable to do it with someone else. 

Wednesday and Thursday it rained here in Colorado. When the storm clouds blew away they left behind cold weather and a sign that Summer is over.  Just as the season is changing, my location will be too, in a few weeks.  I have my new assignment, and it's not in Colorado.  While I'm a little sad to say goodbye, I'm excited for the change.  Once I have signed my new contract, and it's official, I'll fill you in on all the deets :)