Colorado Springs, CO

The weather has been HOT!

I’d like to feel comfortable saying that Colorado busted out of the drought this year but this hot weather makes me question it. With all the snow the entire state got this past winter and spring it seems likely that we won’t be hurting for water this summer. Would you agree?

Since the old-school pattern of high heat and afternoon thunder showers hasn’t started quite yet it can be tough to beat the heat in the mid-afternoons. How do you beat the heat?

If you like the outdoors and are a runner or a walker you’re surely aware of the second leg of the Triple Crown of Running Series in Colorado Springs.

The 1st leg of the series is the Garden of the Gods 10-mile Run. This year that run happened on June 10. Having previously participated in that event I can attest to the difficulty level. Of course, I’m nowhere near a world class athlete or even a very fast runner but this course is challenging. I was happy to average 10-minute miles from start to finish.

The 2nd leg of the series takes place on July 8, 2007 in Bear Creek Park. It’s an out and back course and is mostly uphill on the way out. It will challenge you with a nearly 1000′ incline over just over 3.5 miles. At least the home stretch is downhill! They say it’s an excellent training run for the 3rd leg of the series.

The 3rd leg of the series is the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon which is newly sponsored by EAS and takes place on August 18 & 19, 2007. The marathon has always brought world class runners to Colorado Springs and the fact that EAS is now the sponsor is proof that it has become a high-profile event - no pun intended! The official website of the EAS Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon has plenty of information about the event but the warnings about lightning, inclement weather and “sweat check” procedures are enough to steer me away from the event altogether!!

In any case, the series is a real challenge for runners of all levels yet offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the city.

If you’ve ever driven Hodgen Road out in the Black Forest you know all about the roller coaster road. Its undulating terrain was fun to drive as a teenager and made me lose my stomach as a younger kid in the backseat of my parent’s car.

The road is also somewhat of a hazard. Passing can be tricky and is not advisable. A Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority project scheduled to start soon would level the road as much as possible and make the route safer. However, its become somewhat of a hot issue for the people who live around there.

According to the Gazette many locals are against the project because they are afraid it will cause more traffic on an already busy stretch of road that helps get people and some truck traffic east of the city. The Gazette has the full story but be careful because they have some persistent pop-ups over there!

The Broadmoor is a crown jewel of Colorado Springs. Consistently rated a 5-star hotel it offers luxurious rooms, spas, golf, business facilities and plenty of character and charm.

It is a great place to take a date and you really don’t even have to spend any money. A simple stroll around the grounds can create a romantic mood in the evening. It’s even better during the winter when snow is falling and they have the outdoor fireplace stoked and roaring.

The ladies enjoy the Broadmoor for afternoon tea and the various shops and boutiques inside the lobby. They men will feel at home with the strong, stately marble and columns throughout the facility.

In 2008 the Broadmoor is hosting the US Senior Open where more than 150,000 spectators are expected to attend. In years past the Broadmoor has also hosted the LPGA US Open and offers 3 different courses. If you play there just remember this tip - the ball always goes toward the Will Rogers Shrine!

Don’t miss the fine dining and ambiance at the premier hotel in Colorado Springs - The Broadmoor.

Even in Colorado Springs golf can be a year-round sport. The truth is we actually like it better when the grass is brown and the there is an extra 30-40 yards on tee shots! There is no denying that the summer months are the most popular months for golfing.

I believe that 2 of the better courses in the Springs are Patty Jewett and Valley Hi. They are both city owned and managed courses. In fact, local lore (can anyone confirm?) is that Patty Jewett is the oldest public golf course west of the Mississippi river. Aside from great prices both courses offer a challenge for nearly any level of golfer.

I personally prefer the Patty Jewett course mostly because I like that part of town more. Some call the Patty Jewett area the “tree district” because of all the old, tall trees. They sometimes make it impossible to see the mountains and if you’re a directional driver this can be a hindrance! The Patty Jewett course, called PJ for short, boasts 100-year old trees, foxes on the course, water hazards and excellent prices!

Though you can’t play for a buck a hole these days the price for 18 holes during prime hours (weekend) is $28 and the course is flat enough that it is an easy walk. If you need a cart add an extra $24.

Hit ‘em straight!

One place that can be easy to overlook in Colorado Springs is the United States Olympic Training Center. It sits at the intersection of Union and Boulder. Many famous athletes the likes of Apolo Ohno have trained there and lived in the Springs area over many years while doing so.

The OTC offers year-round free public tours. There are 12-minute and 45-minute walking tours. The majority of both tours are conducted outdoors which is a tribute to the glorious weather in Colorado Springs which, incidentally, has more sunshine days than the so-called Sunshine state.

You can find additional information on the USOTC tours at the usoc.org website along with plenty of other interesting facts, complete athlete bios, a breakdown of all the summer and winter sports and the Olympian Hall of Fame.

Don’t look now but the Beijing games are right around the corner in 2008! You can also buy any part of the Beijing collection of clothing, apparel and even pins at the US Olympic Shop.

Where can you go in Colorado Springs to get in a great hike and also enjoy a great, entertaining day? How about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!?

As I recall the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only mountain zoo in the United States and resides at the highest elevation of any zoo in North America. Since the zoo is located on the side of Cheyenne Mountain be prepared for a good hike!

Babies are all the rage at the zoo this summer. 2 of 4 new exhibits for this season are baby gorillas and baby orangutans. The kids are sure to be in awe at the baby exhibits as well as at the “Budgie Buddy” building and wrap it up with a Pony Ride!

The zoo also features the African Rift Valley that contains a plethora of interactive stations. Plants, animals, trees are only the beginning in what could keep you enthralled for hours. Sticking with the theme of babies there is a baby giraffe spot, a research station and a view tower that will give you an eagle’s eye view of the African Rift Valley site. The African Rift Valley is just a portion of the zoo’s Master Plan that includes lessening the grade of the walking trails and adding people movers to make navigating the zoo a bit less exertion.

Seriously, be prepared for a hike but the increase in heart rate is worth it. The zoo is not just for tourists! In fact, according zoo admission statistics more than 60% of the zoo’s visitors are from Colorado Springs. The zoo is also fairly affordable. The admission rates for 2007 are listed below.

REGULAR ADMISSION
Adults ages 12 to 64 are $12.00
Seniors age 65 and above are $10.00
Children ages 3 to 11 are $6.00
Children ages 2 and under are FREE

Get out and enjoy the day, bring your water bottle and sunscreen and make a day you’ll never forget by feeding a giraffe and touching an 18″ purple tongue!

When was the last time you were out and about in downtown Colorado Springs? I must admit that its been a while for me but in anticipation of getting back there in just a couple of weeks I wanted to refresh myself on the happenings.

One of the nice things about doing the downtown thing is that you can pay just a few bucks to park your car in a central place, say across from the Phantom Canyon on the corner of Cascade and Colorado, and you’re within walking distance of nearly everything in the small but lively downtown area.

In fact, if you like microbrews you can start at Phantom Canyon where you can enjoy a meal and custom brew downstairs or a game of pool upstairs. Right across the street in the Antlers Hilton hotel is Judge Baldwin’s and they also concoct their own beer. For a more casual dining and brew experience walk 2 blocks over to Tejon to Il Vicino…definitely some of the best brews around as well as some great pizza.

Forgetting microbrews but still in the same general area is McKenzie’s Chophouse, a local favorite with an extensive martini menu. Of course, they also do steak and even have brunches for those special occasions. If you’re in the mood for some live music check out the Ritz as they will usually be hosting a band on the weekends.

For some seriously good food its hard to go wrong with Jack Quinn Irish Alehouse and Pub. This place has authentic interior decorating imported directly from Ireland that reminds me of the decor at the Golden Bee. Quinn’s has been voted the People’s Choice for Best Bar in Colorado Springs and they have brunch every Sunday from noon to 3pm.

This really is just the tip of the iceberg for entertainment downtown. After having gotten out to explore some of this stuff I’ll feel much more comfortable with where I’d like to hang out when meeting friends down there. By the by - if you have a taste for wine over hops then be sure to check back in a few weeks for a review of place to get good wine in the downtown area.

Its that time of the year when the weather is staying warmer longer, the snow is melting away even on the fourteeners and we can stay outside for prolonged periods of time without a sweater or jacket (though we should always keep them handy). What follows is a short list of things to enjoy both indoors and out during this first month of summer on the front range.

1. Springs Spree - June 16, 2007
Is there a better way to spend a sunny Saturday than hanging out downtown, eating fair food, watching bed races and getting a little exercise at the same time? Don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat as you peruse various food and arts & crafts booths but leave the pets at home on Saturday June 16, 2007 from 9am to 7pm.

2. Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Street Breakfast - June 20, 2007
Even if you don’t like rodeos you’ll get a kick out of the annual street breakfast. Be sure to get there early to rustle up some good grub in the form of pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs as the organizers do start on time and they will run out of food! This annual tradition signals the start of the PPoB Rodeo “season” that runs from June 20 at 6:00am (the day of the breakfast) through July 15, 2007.

3. Donkey Derby Days - Saturday June 23, 2007
You’ll have to go to Cripple Creek to enjoy the plethora of activities at this event. Pack up the family and drive up Ute Pass to participate in Old West Days and watch the burro races. Partake in some refreshments in the beer garden as the kids play games, join in the parade and compete in contests. This can be an all-day affair with the drive so take your time and enjoy the scenery.

4. Sky Sox Baseball - Saturday June 30, 2007
The Sky Sox, amidst a 7-game homestand, take on the Portland Beavers Saturday night at 7:05pm. The Sky Sox continue to be an affordable option for family fun where you can get the whole family in for about the same price as going to a movie. You can even upgrade to a first-class, box seat for just 2 bukcs more per person. Be a witness to high-quality triple-A baseball, enjoy the outdoors and root on the home team.

5. Take a Hike! - Pick a Day, Any Day!
One of the advantages of living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is that there are plenty of mountains, trails, campgrounds and water sport opportunities just out your back door. Whether you live near Palmer Park or the Garden of the Gods, or neither, you’re probably less than a 15-minute drive to some of the most spectacular scenery in the entire United States. Get out and enjoy it! Take the pets and the kids and relax in the park, by the lake or on the trails. Take the time to appreciate this fantastic city!

How about a big WELCOME for Brian Olson!! Why, thank you! Thank you very much.

I’m excited to get this blog rolling, steaming along.

Though I’ve been away for a few years I’m actually packing boxes as I write (as much as that is possible) and loading up a PODS box getting ready to move back to Colorado Springs after living in San Antonio, TX since January, 2004. Having never lived outside the state of Colorado until I was 35 years old it was a bit of a shock, both culturally and temperature-wise, to suddenly be living in south Texas. Let’s just say that I’ve learned to appreciate my home town.

Truthfully, I felt like I did appreciate Colorado Springs during the time I lived there. I’m somewhat of an outdoors person and hardly missed an opportunity to get outdoors whenever possible whether it was the dead of winter and skiing at Breckenridge or camping outside of Leadville in July. I’m sooo looking forward to enjoying the outdoors again come June 29, 2007! To say that the heat and humidity are oppressive in San Antonio in July or August is an understatement.

In short, I hope you check back often or even subscribe via RSS to get the latest happenings, hotspots, outdoor tips, tricks and suggestions about all things Colorado Springs!