We arrived at Colorado Springs, Co on the 22nd and stayed for 2 nights. We visited the Olympic Village there. It is where future Olympians go to train. They can stay there from 3-6 years. All expenses are paid during their stay. They can apply as long as they are between 15-23 yrs old and unmarried. They finish their education while they train here. They have to train for a minimum of 4 hrs a day, plus do their school work and have to do intramural sports as well. Doesn't leave much time for sleep. They compete against each other as well as other schools and colleges while there also. It was a pretty impressive place. I got all choked up just seeing what they go through to try to win a medal. They definitely have to be focused and that is their whole life. Pretty amazing. One of the coaches was telling us how lucky the Americans are to have all of this available to them. Other countries have to do this all on their own with no help from their government.
We then went to Garden of the Gods outside of Colorado Springs (Manitou). It is an area of unique towering rock formations. They are made of Sandstone. Many towering spires have openings all the way to the top that go right through the rock. Jesse is standing in one of those openings in one of the pictures. There are also rocks that are balancing on top of other rocks. It is amazing how they just stay there and not fall over.
While on our way to Denver, Co. we stopped for a few hours to see the Air Force Academy. It is a huge place where future Air Force Officers go to train. They do 4 years of college and they can drop out anytime between the 1st 2 years. Once they start their 3rd year, they have to commit to become Air Force Officers. In addition to their college classes they need to go through all the military training to prepare them for military life. When they graduate, they are 2nd Lt in the Air Force.
There was a beautiful chapel here (pictures are enclosed). Jesse did his best to capture the beauty of it but it is something you really need to see in person.
Next stop,,,,,Denver, Co
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