"Lightning is Colorado's most dangerous weather hazard." The average number of lightning strikes each year in Colorado is 494,000. The "hot spot" for lightning is the Pike's Peak region. Yep, that's where we are. That is why our hiking trip was postponed Thursday. As we set out on a hike in the Florissant National Monument, a large storm formed so we hurried back to the visitor's center. After allowing the worst of it to pass, we got on the bike and had another ride in the rain. When we looked over our sholders and saw blue sky, we decided to camp out in Colorado City with a burger and a beer for a while to let the good weather catch up with us.
So, on Friday, we headed back to Florissant. This is the site of the Florissant Fossil Beds where they have found fossils from over 1,700 species - 1,500 insects and 150 plants. However, the most spectular fossils are the petrified redwoods.
Many years ago when this area was much warmer, this was the site of a grove of redwood trees. Amazing!
We came back to this area to hike because, due to the elavation, around 8,600 feet, the weather was much milder - probably in the low 80's. The hike was really great. Here is Joseph's favorite flower.
And here is the vew we had of Pike's Peak.
Rather than ride directly back to Colorado Springs, we decided to go by way of Cripple Creek. Though this is our second time up there, the ride continues to be amazing.
Friday was just about a perfect day - we had a great hike and a great ride. On - and the sky was blue all day!
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