Photos

Another old photo. This one taken in 1986, scanned from film negative & edited in PS CS3. Tried to give more contrast and saturation to it but that resulted in the image appearing even older with more oxidation & fungal yellow/brownish stains appearing. Reducing more yellow in saturation channel makes the image flatter. In the end I came to this compromise. Any ideas?

The outstanding geologic features of the park are the ancient sedimentary beds of red and white sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but have now been tilted vertically and faulted by the immense mountain building forces caused by the uplift of the Pikes Peak massif. Evidence of past ages; ancient seas, eroded remains of ancestral mountain ranges, alluvial fans, sandy beaches and great sand dune fields can be read in the rocks.

Two alleged Indian legends have come to light concerning the origin of the rocks in the Garden of the Gods. The first was printed by Marion E. Gridley in Indian Legends of American Scenes. It tells the story of a great flood which covered all but the top of Manitou's Mountain, known today as Pikes Peak. When the waters subsided, the Great Spirit turned the floating carcasses of the drowned animals into sandstone, and rolled them down the peak into a garden valley below, where they "remained as mute evidences of the Great Flood."

The second legend was compiled a half century ago by Ford C. Frick, and placed on file at the Pioneers Museum, Colorado Springs, Colorado:

"In the nestling vales and on the grassy plains which lay at the foot of the Great White Mountain that points the way to heaven lived the Chosen People. Here they dwelt in happiness together. And above them on the summit of the Mighty Peak where stand the Western Gates of Heaven, dwelt the Manitou.

"And that the Chosen People might know of his love the Manitou did stamp upon the Peak the image of his face that all might see and worship him....

"But one day as the storm clouds played about the Peak, the image of the Manitou was hid...And down from the North swept a barbaric tribe of giants, taller than the spruce which grew upon the mountain side and so great that in their stamping strides they shook the earth.

"And with the invading host came gruesome beasts - unknown and awful in their mightiness- monstrous beasts that would devour the earth and tread it down....

"And as the invading hosts came on the Chosen Ones fell to the earth at the first gentle slope of the mountain and prayed to Manitou for aid. Then came to pass a wondrous miracle. The clouds broke away and sunshine smote the Peak and from the very summit, looking down, appeared the face of Manitou himself. And stern he looked upon the advancing host, and as he looked the Giants and the beasts turned into stone within their very steps....

"And when the white men came they called the spot the Garden of the Gods...but we who know the history of the race still call it 'Valley of the Miracle,' for here it was that Manitou gave aid to save his chosen people...."