In Melinda M Ponder’s biography of Bates, Katharine Lee Bates: From Sea to Shining Sea, she writes that upon arriving in Colorado Springs, the intrepid teacher was instantly charmed by the progressive energy of the young city. She and her companions made the most of their free time. “We were driven to Manitou, to The Garden of the Gods… to canyons… and cascades innumerable, all so marvelous that our stock of exclamations gave out,” Bates journalled. “An enchanted summer!” 

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