Three Cool Things To Do In Colorado Springs

June 13, 2020June 14, 2020Travel & AdventureLeave a comment

1. Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs — Find out more about Garden of the Gods here: https://www.gardenofgods.com/

Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark and is definitely on my must-see list in Colorado Springs. You can walk around among 300 foot towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of the majestic snow-capped Pikes Peak and some brilliant blue skies. Great photo opportunities!

The Visitor and Nature Center and museum is the most visited attraction in the region and currently has all new interactive exhibits. You can learn how the amazing red rocks got there with the new Geo-Trekker theater experience, which is shown every 20 minutes.

We ate lunch on the terrace overlooking Pikes Peak, and I am told that this is one of Colorado’s most photographed views!

Pikes Peak view from Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs — You can see Pikes Peak in the Background!

2. Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings in Colorado Springs — Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

Another cool thing to see in Colorado Springs is the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, which are made up of Anasazi ruins that date back 800 to 1000 years old!

According to the museum, the 40 room site was originally located in McElmo Canyon, which is in the southwest corner of Colorado near Mesa Verde and Dolores. The process of relocating these cliff dwellings began in 1904 and was completed in 1907 when the preserve was opened to the public.

The buildings reflect the architecture of the Taos Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. These Pueblo Indians are descendants of the Cliff Dwelling Indians belonging to the Anasazi cultural line. The three story pueblo building there was built at the turn of the century and was home to a Native American family of dancers who entertained the tourists for several generations up until the mid 80’s.

Over the years, the pueblo was expanded into museums of pottery and artifacts. There is a pretty cool souvenir shop at the end of the museum that has a lot of native made pottery, jewelry, and artifacts, as well as some Colorado made gifts.

You can walk around inside the buildings, climb in them, touch them, and read the history about each dwelling. It is pretty interesting, even for short-attention span people like me who don’t like to read history. For more information check out their website at https://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwelling in Colorado Springs — Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

3. Pikes Peak

Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs — Pike’s Peak – On Top of the World!

I was an outdoor recreation major at The University of Tennessee (yes, it is a real major), and I did a summer internship as a Wilderness Backpacking Guide in Colorado. I have always loved mountains – from the Smokies to the BlueRidge to the Rockies and even the Alps. They seem to put everything in focus and make me feel closer to God. And Pikes Peak is one of my favorites.

Pikes Peak, located in the Rocky Mountains west of Colorado Springs, is one of the most famous — and most attainable — 14ers in the country. There are actually 53 mountains in Colorado that achieve a height of 14,000 feet or more. Pikes Peak is 14,115 feet at the summit. It is one of the top 100 mountains in the United States!

There are several ways to do Pikes Peak. Although I did climb it years ago, this past trip we drove up to see the view. Much easier and by far the most popular way to the summit. Driving gave us the freedom to take things at our own pace and stop to take pictures when we wanted. We brought a picnic and enjoyed the hot chocolate at the gift shop at the top. Some other ways to see Pikes Peak are to ride a bike (this makes me tired just typing that), hike, or take a guided tour. Find out more info. here: https://www.pikes-peak.com/about-pikes-peak/

Pike's Peak gift shop in Colorado Springs — Met a friend at the Pike’s Peak gift shop

Big Foot Crossing at Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs — Big Foot Crossing – really?

Pike's Peak Summit Colorado Springs — **You can still look cool in front of the sign even if you drive up!**

What’s your favorite thing to do in Colorado Springs?

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Fourth of July in Salida, Colorado

July 5, 2018June 27, 2019Travel & AdventureLeave a comment

The Colorado mountain town of Salida sits in the middle of the state, literally in the “Heart of the Rockies,” about 2 hours from Colorado Springs and 3 hours from Denver.It is close to beautiful Buena Vista, where I worked at a camp when I was younger. The town and the people are very welcoming, and we found it to be a perfect romantic couples getaway. There is so much to do, and much of it was free!

Located in central Colorado in the Upper Arkansas River Valley, Salida has more than a dozen 14,000-foot tall mountain peaks, more than any other Colorado region. The visitors site describes Salida as an outdoors paradise with year-round activities—at non-resort prices—that includes an almost complete A-to-Z adventure list: archery, biking, camping, climbing, fishing, four-wheeling, golfing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, picnicking, rock hounding, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and a world-class zipline tour.

Not in the mood for zip lining? No problem. We enjoyed taking a leisurely stroll along tree-lined streets and into the downtown area where the century-old redbrick buildings had everything from casual food to fine dining and several art galleries displayed local arts and crafts. This small town of only about 5500 residents was included in the guidebook America’s 100 Best Small Art Towns.

There is an extensive bike and trail system along the Arkansas River. A short drive out of town takes you to ghost towns, mining camps, and reminders of Salida’s railroad transport past. Mt. Princeton Resort and Spa offers day passes for bathers, spa services, and lodging accommodations. We did not do this, but we did drive up there to look around, and it looks awesome!

The region has surprisingly mild periods of weather since the mountain ranges along the Continental Divide sort of calm the fierce storms that come from the west. This phenomenon is the origin of the term the “Banana Belt.” Coming from Memphis, Tenneessee where our summers are ridiculously hot and humid at times, we were loving the low humidity and nice breezes by the river. We are so happy we stumbled upon this neat little mountain gem. In fact, U.S. News and World Report Magazine called it “one of the top ten affordable retirement communities in the US.” It’s no wonder Salida has been called the “Gem of the Rockies.”

What is your favorite Fourth of July memory? Do you have a favorite place to visit on this holiday? Write and let me know!

A Real Ghost Town St. Elmo, Colorado

August 18, 2017July 18, 2019Travel & Adventure8 Comments

St. Elmo, Colorado is one of America’s best-preserved ghost towns. It’s like a movie set or a town that’s literally frozen in time. St. Elmo is located 10,000 feet deep in the Sawatch Range, 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista. It is one of the coolest places we went on our trip to Colorado.

St. Elmo was founded in 1880, and quickly grew to a population of 2,000 people because of the promise of gold and silver mining. Within just 10 years the town had reached its peak, with the establishment of a telegraph office, General Store, a town hall, five hotels, a local newspaper, school, and of course Wild West saloons and dancing halls.

**As a teacher, I am fascinated by this old one room school house.**

At its peak, the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad line ran through the town, and there were over 150 patented claims for mines. Unfortunately within just four decades the mining industry began to decline. In 1922 the railroad stopped running, and the town was abandoned. The miners left to search for gold in other places. Then the rest of the people slowly trickled away, until finally St. Elmo’s postmaster died in 1952, and it was considered abandoned.

Today St. Elmo Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Though it’s technically considered a ghost town, people still live in St. Elmo, and tourism to the town brings in loads of people every year. There are ATV trails, fishing, and the general store is open all summer long.

**Hummingbirds Outside of the General Store**

We ended up meeting a lady who works there some, and she told us a fascinating story about a lady nicknamed “Dirty Annie.” Annabelle was the oldest of three siblings, and her parents were some of the most prominent people in town. Her mother thought they were “above” the others in town who were involved in the saloons and dance halls, so she sheltered her children from social life. The children worked hard at their parents’ hotel and store, which were considered the cleanest and most well managed in town.

Just like every other mining town of that time, the honeymoon was over and everyone left – except for two people: Annabelle and her brother Tony. They continued to live there cut off from the outside world, without plumbing or electricity. Eventually Annabelle stopped bathing and taking care of herself and the buildings. The store and the hotel smelled like rotten food, tobacco, and garbage. Annabelle was rarely seen in town, but when she was people noticed she never took off her stocking cap. The truth was that her hair had become so dirty and matted that it was stuck to the cap and grew out of the holes. She also carried a rifle with her to protect the town. The locals began calling her “Dirty Annie.”

Not too long after this Tony and Annabelle were sent to a mental institution for their own protection, but were eventually released. Tony died soon after and Annabelle died in a nursing home in 1960. Or did she? After Annabelle’s death visitors reported several strange events. Once some children were playing in the hotel when suddenly all the windows and doors banged shut and the temperature dropped 20 degrees. Another time a visitor noticed a young woman in a white dress standing at a window in the hotel. The legend is that Annabelle continues to protect the hotel from vandals and trespassers. When we were there someone had put a mannequin in that window. Creepy!

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