This week, my husband Wes and I are on a vacation/book trip that will eventually lead us to Deadwood, SD, but we started our trip this past weekend by spending a day and a half in Colorado Springs.
We started our exploration in the Garden of the Gods being inspired by the glories of God’s creation.
After about two hours of hiking, we changed into slightly nicer clothes and drove 5 minutes down the road to Glen Erie castle. Wes and I had been on the castle grounds a couple decades before, so having the chance to come back played into the romance of remembering our younger years.
And what could be more romantic and lovely than having high tea in a castle? In the photo on the left above, do you see the set of three windows in the center next to the railing? Wes and I were seated directly behind those windows for our lovely Victorian tea.
Glen Erie was built in 1871 by William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs. The original building was a large clapboard house. However, in 1901, Palmer sold the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad for $6 million and decide to turn his home into a literal castle. The stone was quarried from his land, and the renovation was completed in 1903. It now boasted 60 rooms and more than 20 fireplaces.
Since 1953 Glen Eyrie has been the headquarters of the Navigators and the organization’s more recently established publishing arm, NavPress. The Navigators also operate the property as a Christian conference and retreat center.
If you could pick a fun place to have a tea party, where would you want to have tea?
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Loved these photos, Karen! I hope to have tea in England someday! These pictures brought back great memories of Glen Eyrie. When our kids were young, my parents took all their kids and 12 grandkids to Glen Eyrie for a week in a cabin there. It was such a fun time of gathering each morning for devotions, meals in the dining room (no cooking, dishes, or laundry for a week!), and hikes in the beautiful mountains. We’d love to take all our kids and grandkids there someday!
I wish we had more time to hike the grounds. It’s such a beautiful area!
How fun, Karen! Such beautiful photos. If I could have tea somewhere I would choose a castle in Scotland. Maybe Inverlochy or Glengarry.
Ooo – That sounds heavenly. Excellent choice!
Such beautiful pictures of God’s creations! I am always amazed at the landforms and sights out west – so different from the east coast.
Had never heard of this area. I would love to have tea right there in that castle. It looks lovely! Thank you for sharing?
It was a great time. So elegant, and we had a window seat and could look out over the grounds. I loved it!
What fun things to do on vacation! Enjoy your getaway. 🙂
We’re having a great time!
We love taking guests to Glen Eyrie all the time when they come to visit. So glad you got to enjoy the Castle!