 I wasn't in Colorado Springs for more than a few days when a truck ran into the car my buddy was driving. Luckily there wasn't any damage, but it sure did serve as...wait for it...a crash course ...in survival driving. Maybe it's because the military here is used to driving tanks or the transplants aren't used to experiencing snow - or manners - but these drivers are aggressive! And when those same folks are all parked on the freeway heading to or from the mountains on the weekends, let's just say their disposition doesn't get any sweeter.
Fortunately, the street names like the blase one shown provide a little comic relief. And according to this blog post, they get as wacky as: A Dog Will Lick His Butt But Won't Eat A Pickle Rd., 100 Year Party Ct., Big Foot Crossing, Incorrigible Circle, Jackass Hill Rd, and the one U2 may have been describing in this song, No Name Lane. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One of the first things I noticed about Colorado is that they are serious about church. There are places where you can find them on practically every corner or lined up three in a row. One estimate puts the city of Colorado Springs as having 400 Protestant and more than 20 Roman Catholic churches alone. They are all over the radio dial, ranging from old (Sunday) school to modern Christian rock. There are a bunch of church grade schools, high schools and colleges to pick from. And it is the home of several international outreach programs.
Since I grew up in the church, I like seeing all those options for people. Plus, as I often joke, at this point in life I find myself cramming a little harder for the Final exam. :-) But as for why Colorado is such an epicenter for those seeking a spiritual connection, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it is because there is majestic beauty everywhere you look. Perhaps the presence of our earthly guardian angels, our military, that reminds us of our celestial ones. Or maybe it is simply because when you live this close to heaven, it makes you want to get to know your neighbors. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  If there is a more pet friendly state than Colorado, I haven't been there yet. It seems that EVERYONE has a dog, cat and/or horse. (I know seeing is believing, so here's just 3 of my 5 four legged roommates in Colorado Springs.) This one site alone lists literally thousands of dog friendly parks, hotels, restaurants, activities and every thing else you can doggone imagine in Colorado. And this blog talks about 9 dog-friendly breweries in the Colorado Springs area - because you never know when you might want to have a beer with man's best friend.
As for equine activities, well, that is a horse of a different color. There are places to board, ride, show, watch and get emotional therapy from horses everywhere. And if all of that weren't enough pure animal love, we need to talk about the deer here. They are so plentiful and visible that they are like house pets. It is nothing to walk out your front door and see a male deer grazing on your lawn because, well, apparently the buck stops here. So if you love cats, this place is purrrfect. Love dogs? Then you'll find true puppy love. Love horses? Come to the land where there are no naysayers to neigh sayers. And if you got a thing for Bambi, then you'll be right at home with your deerly beloved friends. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I've talked about finding your higher power in Colorado. And I've discussed hiking to higher elevations (like this spot in Garden of The Gods). But I can't be in Colorado and NOT talk about it's highly unusual variety of legal intoxicants. So here's the real, and kinda strange deal.
There are places where you can go into a store and by cannabis products without a medical prescription like you are buying a pack of gum. There's one of them in Aspen that is 20 feet away from a sandwich place, which I guess makes it a real hamburger "joint". :-) I'm told (I don't imbibe) that other cities require a Doctor's note to purchase it. However, you will hear lots of clever ads for pot shops on the radio...and apparently they create quite a buzz. But here's what's really weird. Nobody tells you, but you can not buy full strength beer in a local store. You have to go to a designated, state approved liquor store to be in high spirits. However, there are reportedly nearly 230 established breweries in Colorado and nearly 10% of the nation's craft breweries. And when you consider the fact that one drink at elevation is like two at sea level, I guess it is no wonder people get confused at "high altitude". Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  When you approach the state line you are greeted by a sign that says, "Welcome To Colorful Colorado." And they must mean it because there are 42 of those signs all over the state. They of course refer to the splendor of the snow capped 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet), the rolling green meadows, the pristine mountain streams and the other visual delights that treat the senses. But there is another thing that makes Colorado colorful and that is the abundance and excellence of the art that is everywhere.
The art of Colorado comes in many forms. It's the magnificent and whimsical statues that line the city streets and parks. It's the custom cars that cruise the boulevards. It's the bottles in store displays and the recycled skis that make up fences. It's the fantastic architecture that blends form into function. It's the music that brings people together to meditate or to dance. But most of all, it is the people. The people of Colorado are colorful. And if you are really lucky in life, you get to call some of them friends - and your life is forever blessed. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Post: I have hinted that my stay in Colorado is part of a much bigger trip. So today I'm officially announcing my coast to coast road trip across Canada this summer. Why Canada? Well first, I'm technically half Canadian (I call it my polite half) because my dear Mom was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Second, it has some of the most Amazing Faces and Amazing Places in the entire world! And third, Canada turns 150 years old this year and I love going to big birthday parties.
Like last year's trip to all 48 contiguous states, AKA America The Beautiful, I would love to take you along for the ride. You can follow me on www.LesManess.com (AKA StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com). And as always, I would love your encouragement, referrals, suggestions, hospitality and support along the way. That's if for now. Gotta get busy planning and prepping. Which reminds me, I will probably need to find some hockey sticks. :-) Update 2017: To read why I had to postpone the western half of the trip and to see the two routes I actually took instead, go to Oh Canada! Let The Adventure Begin!. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  There are soooo many great restaurants, coffee houses, craft breweries, etc. in Colorado that you could have a different breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and never repeat an experience. And to illustrate that point, allow me to use this photo where we're all making a point. :-) Last night we surprised our good friend Patti Bonnay for her birthday at Odyssey Gastropub in Colorado Springs. The food, service and ambiance couldn't have been better. We then went to the Sonterra Grill, which was another terrific place. And we finished by dancing the night away at the historic Johnny's Navajo Hogan.
So if you love the idea of having good times in good places with good people, come visit the cities, towns and destination points of Colorado. It will do you good. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  One of the first places I went to in Colorado Springs was Elevation Fitness: Home of the 200 Pound Dumbbells. I've been lifting weights for 55 years and I love going to a gym that has friendly people that are serious about getting results. In the weeks I trained there, this spacious, well equipped, 24 hour gym certainly didn't disappoint. I saw guys benching over 500 pounds, athletes prepping for competitions, and average people working hard to achieve above average results. And despite all the the focus on getting seriously strong, they were also chill enough to help me get this fun shot.
So many thanks to everyone who made me feel welcome and inspired me to do my best. And as for those 200 pound dumbbells? I'll get em next time. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  I met Jennifer Callaway Ricci in Tempe, AZ when she was just 19 years old. When she eventually moved to Salida, CO she promised me if I came to visit her that I would fall in love with the town and the people in it. This rockin' realtor and terrific Mom to all around awesome guy, Tristan Ricci, persisted enough that I finally caved in - and of course, she was right. So when she asked me to come celebrate her birthday I jumped at the chance. We went to a cool ghost town called St. Elmos (photos here) where we hand feed ground squirrels. Then we celebrated with some of her great friends. I saw that as a picture perfect opportunity to capture just how great they are! So thanks to all these women who channeled their inner rock star for this shot - proving once again that Cindi Lauper was right... Girls just wanna have fun! :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                 I was driving around Salida, CO when I spotted this amazing tiny home on wheels. I met the owner and creator, Greer Farris and he was kind enough to give me a little personal history. He is an active artist and retired Art teacher from Tulane University. He built the "Gypsy Travel Trailer" so he and his daughter, Delaney could take some laid back road trips. The whimsical tiny home has two bunks, a chandelier, cool lighting, a mascot monkey, a bird cage, and a back porch where he plays the fiddle. And the man couldn't possibly be any more charming. So yeah, he definitely puts the "art" in the art of travel. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  |