Why did the staff show up at Garden of the Gods Visitor’s Center wrapped in bubble wrap? Because this year, our fall staff outing was a Segway tour of Garden of the Gods and they (the staff) love a good joke!

Fall Staff Outing

Yes, it’s that time of year again. We’ve had many fun outings over the years – sometimes outdoors such as the Royal Gorge or a drive for a casino visit in Cripple Creek, sometimes for lunch and shopping at the mall. But, this year’s outing may rank up at the top of the “most fun outing” list. It was actually two years delayed, as the first attempt found us at the visitor’s center with drizzly, foggy weather. This year, however, it was a spectacular sunny Colorado day.

Segway Training

First stop, Segway training. Guide Kevin gave a group briefing on what to expect. Next, he asked who everyone thought the most nervous participant was (Susan). So, Susan had first shot at getting on a Segway and learning to go forward, stop, and turn. Kevin left her to practice while he came back and started the next person. Once we were all on board, we practiced going up and down a hill. Then, back to the parking lot for a final form to sign saying we’d received the appropriate training.

Garden of the Gods Tour

Our staff includes three native Coloradans, and we’ve all lived in Colorado Springs for years and visited Garden of the Gods many times. But, none of us had ever had a formal tour of the park. We learned a lot of interesting information about the sandstone rocks, how they were formed, why some of the sandstone is red, some is white, and some is regular gray “rock” color. We also learned about names of some of the rock formations and how those names came about. Some we were familiar with (Kissing Camels), some we weren’t (Weeping Indian). We learned about the generous gift of the park to the City of Colorado Springs by the children of Charles Elliot Perkins, with the caveat that it will always be free and open to the public.

After our tour, we enjoyed a great lunch at The Grill at Kissing Camels with Judy B, who unfortunately broke her wrist (before our outing!) and was unable to join us on the tour.  It was a great way to spend time with each other outside of the dental office.