Climbing In Garden Of The Gods

Have you ever wanted to climb in the Garden of the Gods?

Did you know that you have to register with the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center before you can climb? But if you neglect to do so - you can be find by the park rangers. (And yes - they ARE out there…)

Once you’re registerd - which only takes a few minutes (Honestly!) includes reading over the current rules (pay attention - there are always areas that are Off limits) and regulations and filling out a short form. It’s all done to be sure that you know what you’re doing!

Technical Climbing is permitted on established routes, in group of two or more - NO single climbing! (For safety purposes). Proper climbing equipment is MANDATORY and the use of eco-chalk is recommended/encouraged.

All other climbing or rock scrambling is ILLEGAL.

While this may sound harsh- it’s done - once again - for your safety. Tragic accidents have happened…and they are just trying to prevent them as much as possible. So be safe - and enjoy!

Colorado Springs Guide

Whether you’re from Colorado Springs, moving here or planning a visit - check out the new Colorado Springs Visitor Guide from the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

You can either read it online or you can have it mailed to you.

Just don’t wait too long - they do disappear rather fast.

Aspen Skiing Season Extended

According to a report by the Denver Post, the Aspen Skiing Company will extend the Season until April 27th, thanks to more than 120 inches of snow on the ground in the Highland Bowl and nearly 100 inches at mid-mountain!

Happy skiing!

Kids in Colorado Springs

If you have children, specially smaller children, you might wonder what’s there to do - for fun and entertainment. Check out the Pikes Peak Kidssite, which offers a variety of options; from after-school activities to Camp directory, from parent resources to Fun Things to do.

In addition you can find coupons for “Things to do” on the page - to save some money while you’re enjoying some fun stuff, as well as enter contests to win weekly prizes.

Living in Colorado? It’s that time of the year again…..

…..nope, we’re not talking about shopping season, and not even about the upcoming Holiday Season. We’re talking about SKI SEASON! Yep, that’s right - time to bring out those skis and/or boards…. For the latest, up to date Info, check out the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Site with Snow Reports!

Are you “New” to Colorado Springs?

If you’ve just moved here - Welcome to Colorado Springs! I hope you’ll love it here! And to make things a little easier for you….to get “moved in and aquainted” - check out the following links:

Colorado Springs City Map

City of Colorado Springs Website

El Paso County Government

Chamber of Commerce

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Colorado Springs Schools

Hope you were able to find what you were looking for! 

Colorado Springs - Colorado

Whether you live in Colorado Springs or are here on vacation - there is always something to do. If you’re anything like me, you wont’ see many of the attractions until you have visitors. It’s a sad but true fact, mostly we are too busy to take it all in. We have our favorites, which we actually go see without having visitors here - but overall - we’re doing the “touristy thing” right alongside with our guests.

Regardless on how, why or when you see the local attractions, I was just wondering - which one of the following attractions is YOUR favorite and why? Is it:

• taking a tour of the Air Force Academy (www.usafa.af.mil)
• staying at the Broadmoor (www.broadmoor.com)
• being entertained at Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway 
• seeing the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway (www.buckskinjoes.com)
• take a ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad Dinner Train (www.royalgorgeroute.com)
• tour through the Cave of the Winds (www.caveofthewinds.com)
• visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (www.cmzoo.org)
• discover the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• stroll through the Garden of the Gods Park (www.gardenofthegods.com)
• discover Gold in the Molly Kathleen Gold Mine (www.goldminetours.com)
• play at Santa’s North Pole (www.santas-colo.com)
• ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway (www.cograilway.com)
• marvel at Seven Falls (www.sevenfalls.com)
• see the US Olympic Complex (www.usoc.org)

We’ve seen many of them, yet each time - it’s amazing and fascinating all over again. Our guests love it and every time we take anyone to see one of the places, we feel grateful for living here - all over again.

Full of ….. Hot Air?

It’s that time of the year again! From September 1st to the 3rd,  Balloons of all colors and shapes will dot the sky above Colorado Springs! It’s a free event, with Music, Food and of course, Balloons! If you’re there early morning - you can watch them set up and go up. If late afternoon, early evening is more your style, weather permitting, you can watch the Balloon Glow! Either is great!

My personal preference - early morning. Not because I’m a “Morning Person” - but it is an amazing sight to see all the balloons go up! It’s a colorful way to officially end summer!

But never fear, that’s not the end of fun and games,  there’s “Bunches more” to do in Colorado. Check out the website of the Colorado Welcome Center, where you can search Events by time, location and type, request a free Welcome Guide, browse photo galleries, find info on lodging, etc., etc., ………. Have fun!

Colorado - and it’s “secret” History

If you’ve recently moved to Colorado, or simply would like to know a little bit more about the local “quirks and oddities” throughout it’s History – check out “Strange but true, Colorado – Weird Tales of the Wild West” by John Hafnor and Dale Crawford. It’ll give you the “real” background of this State’s history – the one most Locals are not even aware off.   

One short story, from the 1890s, for example, gives insight in the naming of Phantom Canyon. “The crew of a night train bound for Cripple Creek reported that the locomotive’s lights briefly illuminated a man walking beside the tracks in prison garb. His prison number was clearly visible. Upon reaching the next station, the engineer reported the sighting to nearby Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City, only to be informed that the number in question belonged to a prisoner who had been executed some days before. Then as now, the site of the incident is known as Phantom Canyon. The narrow gauge railroad is long gone, but you may still drive Phantom Canyon Road in your car.” (Quoted from “Strange but True, Colorado-Weird Tales of the Wild West)

For additional, unpublished tales (according to the Author) – go to www.strangecolorado.com !

Have fun, discovering the REAL Colorado!

Money Magazine has spoken!

According to Money Magazine, Colorado Springs has lost its spot in the Limelight – we’re no longer THE number one place to live. They (Money Magazine) have changed the rating criteria and it kicked us right out of that 1.Place position. Now, the question is – do we care?

According to the Gazette, our Mayor and the Tourism Bureau really want to hold on to that “title”. From a marketing stand point, I understand. The best advertising and endorsement always come from a third party. But does this ranking matter to residents? I’d really like to know. (So feel free to comment.)

What brought this up? Well, we went on vacation to Wisconsin, Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells to be exact. One of the biggest water parks around! We had a blast in the park; exploring the town and doing all the “touristy things” that were offered. (And we’d do it again in a heart beat, ‘cause they offered “a lot”.)

 But let me tell you, regardless of how much we enjoyed ourselves – coming home was great! No humidity, no bugs, mosquitoes or other strange flying or creeping things preventing  us from enjoying an evening on the deck, Mountains, Views, cheaper gas and food prices, wireless internet access, bookstores, Starbucks, shorter commutes and our own place. All the “trappings” we love and usually take for granted.

Guess nothing makes you appreciate home more, than a trip elsewhere. For my part, I don’t need any ratings to appreciate living in Colorado Springs.