Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Zebulon

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days. I've been a bit ill. I took Friday off to go camping up near Aspen, Co. However, I ended up staying in bed most of that day.

This is a statue of Zebulon Pike standing outside the El Paso County Courthouse in Colorado Springs. Behind him, you can catch a glimpse of the mountain that bears his name. Originally, he was facing towards the peak. He was moved when the county expanded the court house. I'm sure he is now wondering where that mountain went...

Many people believe that Zebulon stated that no one could ever climb the Peak. People from the Pikes Peak region find this immensely humorous, after all, many of them get to the summit by way of the Barr Trail, the Cog Railroad, or the Pike's Peak highway. In fact, 1000's of people run up the peak during the yearly Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathons (I've done the Ascent twice).

Actually, many historians believe that he said they could not climb it in the winter conditions found at the time he visited. According to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, the expedition was in summer uniforms and ill-equipped for the climb. Even though it is now June, the Peak is still covered with snow and would be a dangerous climb for anyone in summer clothing.

That's a part of my world - go to My World Tuesday to see others'.

5 comments:

Martha Z said...

Hope your feeling better. We took the cog railway up many years ago. Never hiked it though.

Bryan said...

Yeah, I mean, even Zebulon's wearing a coat.

cieldequimper said...

Hope you're on the mend. Interesting post, poor man, so disorientated! I really like this sculpture.

Gaelyn said...

Don't think I'd be climbing it during winter. Great post. Hope you're feeling better.

Arija said...

Beautiful statue and a delightful story to go with it.