First week in the Springs (summer, about, color)

[JAF1976]

Originally Posted by lildreamer

We drove up Pikes Peak yesterday. It was a beautiful drive. The cost was $10 adults $5 for children or $35 a car load. $35 for us either way. You can also buy a year pass for $100. That's what we did. Driving was nice because you can stop at different locations and take your time. It was cold on top 42 degrees but probably colder with the wind chill factor. Of course we had some hot chocolate and doughnuts on top as well. Other than some small marmots or something we did not see any wildlife. Though a couple I was talking to at Crystal Reservoir saw an elk in the road on their way down. It also snowed on us a little bit while we were at the first look out location coming down from the summit. We had no breathing issues or dizziness except for me when we were up high above the treeline and there were some very steep cliffs. We do want to also take the cog one day maybe on a sunny day in the winter.

Check out MT Evans, It is a couple hundred feet higher than Pikes Peak. It's right outside of Idaho Springs, and the road is paved all the way to the top, not muddy and dusty like Pikes Peak. We checked it out a couple weeks ago, saw mountain goat's and other wild life. There is an old observatory up at the top, and a 300ft rock pile you can climb. I climed the rocks all the way to the top, it was alot of fun.

[ryanek9freak]

The dirt road is what makes Pikes Peak fun. Sadly they are wussifying the entire road for tourists who "Just can't beileve there's no gaurdrail"

[AUNTIEMinCOLORADO]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

What's the harm in a few Tourons or morons driving off Pikes Peak, anyway? Some kid did it just the other day, in fact!

Thank goodness the young boy survived driving off of Pikes Peak.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by AUNTIEMinCOLORADO

Thank goodness the young boy survived driving off of Pikes Peak.

I think he was trying to kill himself, had just broke up with a girlfriend. Hope he get to see the mental health pro's.

[JAF1976]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

The dirt road is what makes Pikes Peak fun. Sadly they are wussifying the entire road for tourists who "Just can't beileve there's no gaurdrail"

Love the dirt, and mudd if Im in front, just don't like eating the dust of someone in front of me.

[Crueladev]

I am enjoying this thread! As a native of Colorado Springs...it is nice to see it again through "new eyes."

I have seen this town go from a small town to an ever growing metropolis!

I have attached a photo of the downtown Colorado Spring from the 1950's...enjoy! Let's see if any old-timers remember this!...

[lildreamer]

Well, my son has been working for a week now. He had Fourth of July off and so did my husband. We were going to take a trip to Estes Park and do some hiking and sight seeing in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Right before we were to leave my son got called into work so we cancelled our trip. My husband and I ended up taking our daughter to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. What a great day we had! It was so enjoyable. It had many unique features. Of course the main one being able to hand feed the giraffes. My daughter also loved feeding all the pretty colorful birds. We had a blast watching the two bears interact with each other. They were so playful and gave a spectacular show. It was also neat watching the wolves run all over the place. I don't recall ever seeing wolves at a zoo before. And of course the apes were amazing. There was a little baby one and she was adorable. The momma snuck up on us as we were looking through the glass and then she turned around real quick and tried to scare us by being in attack mode and believe me she did. It was a hot day, actually a perfect day I don't think it ever gets too hot here. A nice feature the zoo had was in many locations it had misting fans. They were very refreshing. I definately recommend coming to the zoo. It may not be as big as other zoos , but more is not always better. I can't wait to go back. Later last night we parked near the Skysox stadium and watched their fireworks show. GREAT DAY!

[lildreamer]

I'm back. Well I have been living in the Springs for almost nine months now. I still love it! Of course I have been wondering "Where is the snow?" One time we had six inches of snow, other than that whenever it snows it is normally only an inch. I want at least a foot of snow. Do you think we will ever get that. I have heard that this year is very mild. I have been enjoying the weather though. There has been so many days that I can open my windows in my house. I love the fresh air. The good thing I have found here is the blue skies in winter. Though the temperature may be cold the sun is normally shining so it doesn't seem as cold. The blue sky helps with the winter blahs. It is rarely ever gloomy here. In fact I don't think it ever has been gloomy. If we have cloudy weather most likely we would have a chance of snow and that is a good thing. It is beautiful seeing Pikes Peak covered with snow against a blue sky. We have driven up Pikes Peak about seven times since we have been here. Well actually half of the times we have not gone the whole way. We just go to enjoy the ride and the scenery during the different seasons. Fall was beautiful with the golden aspens. It was beautiful watching the reservour become frozen. Still haven't seen much wildlife. We ended up taking the cog railroad for the santa ride. It was such an enjoyable experience. I highly recommend it for anyone with little ones to have their childs Christmas picture taken there with Santa. It is so beautiful being outdoors in the snow with the pine trees and Santa. They serve hot chocolate and Christmas cookies as well.
During the summer we went white water rafting on the Arkansas River. We used RiverRunners and had a blast. Half way through the run we stopped along the river for a delicous lunch that they provided.
During the fall we drove up to Estes park and spent the night. The next morning we hiked the Ouzel Falls trail. It was such a great hike for all of us. Beautiful during the fall with all the aspens. I highly recommend it. We then drove through the Rocky Mountain National Park and watched the elk during rutting season. It was spectacular.
When we have visitors we like to take them to the mountains to Brechenridge. We will take the route through Denver and Hwy 70. It is a beautiful drive. We then come home the other way which has a beauty all its own. We go to Keystone Lodge to see the pond and maybe eat in the restaurant right near the pond for a sandwich or pizza and a beer for those not driving. We actually went to Keystone last weekend to ice skate on the pond. It is a five acre frozen pond. You can ice skate all day for one price. We had a great time.
We bought season passes to ski in Breckenridge. We have definitly got our money's worth. We have found an awesome hotel in Fairplay called Riverside Inn. We drove up and ice skated all day on Saturday and drove to Fairplay and stayed in the Hotel. It is under 100 a night. It is brand new so it is very clean. It has a pool and a hot tub and continental breakfast. The staff was very friendly. We then got up the next morning drove 30 minutes to Breck. It beats the prices staying in Breckenridge. I don't think you can really stay in Breck for one night. Anyways we normally just get up early and drive up to ski and then drive back but every once in a while it's nice to stay in the hotel and get two days out of the trip. I hightly recommend this hotel.
I have totally adjusted to the traffic here. It doesn't stand out to me as when I first arrived here.
We went to the State Fair in Pueblo and had a good time and looking forward to going next year. It is definitly a all day thing so make sure you get an early start and plan on staying all day. We didn't know if parking would be a nightmare so we parked at a mall and took a free shuttle bus to the fair. It worked out fine.
I love eating at the Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs. My favorite is the nachos and the signature dish - Stuffed steak. Yum Yum Yum!
I am really liking it here and now I can look back at the summer and say it was perfect. It never got too hot where you didn't want to step outside like it was when I lived in TN and in CA. I don't have to worry too much about tornadoes or earthquakes and that is a good feeling.
Does Colorado Springs have its negatives sure it does but they don't stand out as much as the positives do. Also I bet there is not a place out there that does not have any negatives. I like it here and am glad that I am here.

[MMichelle]

Welcome! Be sure to see the sights. Garden of the Gods, AFA, etc.
Pick up a copy of the Independent - it's a great way to see what entertainment is available.
Enjoy!

[ColoradoKirk]

Hi lildreamer,

Glad to hear you are enjoying the Springs! It took me a while to get used to the transition, too, but now I love it.

Sounds like you have enjoyed your hiking experiences a lot. Have you ever visited the Siamese Twins trail right here at the Garden of the Gods? It's one of the most beautiful places in town, in my opinion. Here are some other things to do in Colorado Springs, if you're interested.

Have fun!