Olympic Training Center

We took a family trip to Colorado Springs to visit the Olympic Training Center, largely to get us excited for the upcoming Olympic games! None of us had been before, so this was perfect timing. It was awesome!

We did the tour, which starts with a (very emotional, at least for me) video about the recent games and some of the athletes for these games, and then we saw some training areas (pool, gym, mats, etc). We got to see where the athletes live and eat, but couldn't go in. We saw a bunch of athletes in training, especially wrestlers (not my sport, but exciting nonetheless). The grounds are beautifully done, with flags from all the participating Olympic countries from around the world displayed, beautiful sculptures, photos and such for each Olympic sports, fountain pool, and more. The visitor's center has some great things - past US Olympic torches, bobsleds, photos, a hall of fame, and more. Brian and I just loved it, and the kids enjoyed it too.

The Waldo Canyon fire was burning when we were in the Springs, but it wasn't out of control We were disappointed that Gardon of the Gods was closed, because we had planned to picnic there, and the children haven't been there in years and have no memory of the beautiful park. The fire was burning up the canyon behind GOFG; we could see smoke, but no flames. We could only do a driveby and grab a picture of the famous Kissing Camels, with Pike's Peak in the background-

Right down the road from here, and which we drove right by, is the Flying W Ranch and Mountain Shadows neighborhood, which were both decimated the very next day when 65 mph winds whipped the Waldo Canyon fire into town and burned some 350 homes to the ground. It was surreal to watch hundreds of homes burning on live television, right where we had been the day before. Just heartbroken for all the people affected. Waldo Canyon has become the most destructive fire in CO history, and is still burning, along with about a dozen fires in the state. Horrific fire season.

So, because of our change in plans, we ended up going a few miles up the road to the Air Force Academy, which I also had never been to. Beautiful spot, amazing place. We had a peaceful lunch, despite the fire burning not far away (the AFA was also evacuated the next day when the firestorm erupted), went through the visitor's center, and went on a very small hike (it was the middle of a record-heat afternoon, one of many we have endured thus far this summer).

This B-52, Diamond Lil, was used in combat in Vietnam, and was one of two B-52s with a confirmed MIG kill. She is now on display for visitors to the AFA.

Aside from the sadness of the fire, we had a lovely day. Colorado Springs is a fabulous city; I am just devastated it has undergone such destruction, but am grateful for all those firefighters in CO and throughout the burning West who are doing their best. But on a happier note, I am so excited for the Olympics, and have been planning our Olympic country studies for a couple of months. We can hardly wait to kick off the celebrations!