Life in Colorado

Pikes Peak Hill Climb

2009-07-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

Imagine a race car screaming up a 14,000 foot mountain at speeds of over 100mph, taking hairpin turns at high altitude with no guard rails.

This is what you'd experience if you were watching the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), America's second oldest motor sports event.

Will anyone beat Noburhior “Monster” Tajima's record time of 10:01.41 from 2007? Tune in to find out.

Cars, motorcycles, trucks, and quads all race to the top every July.

2009-04-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

Want to try some Colorado fishing? From the Gold Medal waters of the nearby South Platte River to a quiet, mountain-top escape like Pikes Peak's Crystal Lake, there are many trout to be had. Check out our Colorado Fishing page for some fun spots around Colorado Springs.

Fly Fishing Scene - Colorado

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Lantern Press

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Colorado Springs Horseback Riding

2009-04-06T17:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Trails...to you... ever wanted to get on a horse and ride in Colorado? Horseback riding in Colorado Springs is your answer. Check out Academy Riding Stables in town for a 1-2 hour horseback ride through the Garden of the Gods.

Sunshine. Mountains. You on a horse. It's all good.

Visit our Colorado Springs Horseback Riding page for more.

...until we meet again...Happy Trails...to you.

NORAD

2009-04-01T22:57:00.001-07:00

Do you remember the 1983 movie War Games?

NORAD was the star of that movie, with its secret military base inside Cheyenne Mountain, sealed behind massive blast doors, all its high-tech computer screens watching out for Russian intercontinental missiles. Pure sci-fi?

Not hardly. NORAD really exists, deep inside the granite bowels of the Front Range.

Visit our new NORAD page to learn more about this important military base in Colorado Springs. "Joshua" wants you to.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

2009-01-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to the top of America's mountain. This baby is open year round!

For a unique and fun way to get to the summit of a 14,110 foot mountain, try this train out. It's a hoot.

Because it's run on a cog system, it can reach 25% grades instead of a regular train's measly 8% grade. So all aboard and keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep and marmots.

Oh, and wear your hat and mittens. It's cold up there!

Colorado Hot Springs

2009-01-28T21:35:00.001-08:00

There's nothing quite like soaking in some Colorado hot springs. Steamy mineral springs can melt away just about any of your worries.

Try some of the hot springs around our fine state. From Olypmic-sized swimming pools to private secluded baths. You can even sit in a river in the middle of winter and stare up at the stars.

It's all good.

Read more about Colorado hot springs.

Soak it up.

Boogie Down at a Colorado Springs Nightclub

2008-07-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

Shake it. Boogie Down. Get down tonight. Boot scoot boogie.

Whatever you like to call it, a good nightclub can bring it.

Or maybe drinking a Flaming Voodoo Priestess martini and smoking a cigar is more your style.

Or yukking it up at a comedy club.

Whatever tickles your fancy, Colorado Springs offers plenty of choices for post-sunshine activities.

Read more about Colorado Springs nightclubs.

Four! Golfing is best by the Rocky Mountains.

2008-07-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

A golf course is a beautiful thing. A golf course next to the Rocky Mountains is a really beautiful thing.

Even if you're not a pro golfer, getting out on the green can be an idyllic respite from the buzz of the city and your own busy thoughts in your busy, busy life.

The great thing about Colorado Springs golf courses is that they all have amazing mountain views. And the weather is almost always sunny. And dry. And you can even play golf 365 days a year.

Yes, if the summer weren't enough, there is winter golf too.

If you get the chance, come visit some of Colorado Springs gorgeous golf courses. There are several championship courses here designed by the big-wigs--the Senior Open is in the Springs this year--and plenty of public courses that are affordable and well-kept.

Hope to see you soon.

Whitewater Rafting Colorado

2008-06-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Want to try whitewater rafting? Colorado is probably the best place for it.

We went to Buena Vista recently to ride the Arkansas River, and we got everything we were hoping for.

Rushing rapids. Summer sun. Mountain Views. We even saw three bighorn sheep standing up on the canyon walls.

The problem with whitewater rafting is that it's addictive. We did a Class III down Browns Canyon, and now I want to do "The Numbers" and paddle down Royal Gorge's Class IV/V. Good thing there's plenty of summer left.

This year the water in Colorado is at its highest in 13 years. So get out there and paddle!

Read more about at www.colorado-springs-vacation.com.

Seven Falls: 181-Foot Waterfall in Colorado

2008-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

If you're a waterfall enthusiast (or even if you like them just a little bit) you should check out Seven Falls in Colorado Springs.

It's located in a "box canyon" that has sheer granite walls. It's 181 feet high, and the water cascades down in seven distinct steps, hence the name.

You can brave the 244 stairs alongside the falls, or take an elevator up through the rock to the Eagle's Nest perch at the top.

You can also feed the huge trout in the creek at the bottom. Good times.

Big fun for families, and great for a romantic date. Read more about Seven Falls.

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

2008-06-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

If you are fascinated by dinosaurs, digs, prehistoric fish, or fossils in general, you should check out the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, Colorado. It's just 15 minutes west of Colorado Springs on Hwy 24.

Kids can play in the Paleo Playground. Teens can learn important prehistory. Adults can study massive sea turtles and T-rexes. And everyone can touch the petrified dinosaur poop.

For more,visit www.colorado-springs-vacation.com.

Feeding Giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

2008-05-28T23:19:00.001-07:00

I don't care how old you are. Feeding giraffes is fun. They're fourteen feet tall, have 12-inch-long blue tongues, and might be the most gentle creatures on earth.

Doesn't that deserve a cracker?

At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs (America's only mountain zoo) you can hand-feed crackers to any one of the 33 reticulated giraffes in their herd.

My 4-year-old niece had a blast, and I have to admit, so did I. The mountain view was pretty spectacular too.

See more at our Cheyenne Mountain Zoo page.

Caving or Spelunking?

2008-05-12T20:45:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure which term is cooler, but I think spelunking wins.

We went to Cave of the Winds recently in Manitou Springs, near Colorado Springs. Inside the cave was a plethora of stalactites, myriad speleothems, and numerous extremophiles, including the infamous Troglobites.

Who knew caves could be so challenging to my vernacular?

Oh yeah, there was lots of dark creepy spots and it was pretty dang eerie too.

Check out more at: www.colorado-springs-vacation.com/cave-of-the-winds.html

Happy Caving!

New website: Colorado Springs Vacation Insider

2008-04-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovers of Colorado,

It's a typical warm and sunny day in Colorado Springs today. Bluebird skies. It's all good.

Recently we decided to focus our "Life in Colorado" website on the Pikes Peak region. There will be information on the rest of the state too, which will be under categories like Weekend Getaways and Day Trips.

It's called "Colorado Springs Vacation Insider" and the URL is:
www.colorado-springs-vacation.com.

Hope you come visit us soon. There is all sorts of stuff on outdoor activities, lodging, attractions, restaurants, and more. We'd love to hear your feedback.

Happy Trails,

Kelly & Kirk

Agnes Vaille Falls

2008-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

The Agnes Vaille Falls trail in Colorado's Chalk Creek Canyon is a great place to hike or snowshoe, and has amazing views of Mt. Princeton and Mt. Antero. Right outside Nathrop, Colorado, the Agnes Vaille Falls trail is a moderate .5 mile hike up the side of Mt. Princeton to the falls. If you're in 12 inches of snow, however, that's another story... Read more about it at www.lifeincolorado.com. Don't forget your snowshoes!

Weather News in Colorado

2007-12-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

One thing about the weather reporters in Colorado—they are passionate about what they do. They love all things weather and we love them for it.

The weather news TV segments here are more like entertainment shows or sportscasts, and why wouldn’t they be? Think of all the drama. Swirling mountain storm systems. Snowfall measured in feet instead of inches. Rapid, unpredictable changes due to altitude. Which leads to another thing about the weather reporters: very often, they are dead wrong with their forecasts.

Only two weeks ago, there was little snow to speak of here in Colorado. Ski resorts’ delayed openings were making headlines. And meteorologists were offering up explanations. La Nina was at fault, they said, and we should expect the driest winter to date. This, after several years of winter draught conditions. Don’t get your hopes up, they warned. Mother Nature was likely withholding.

But this week the snow won’t stop falling. Vail and Aspen received over 30 inches of snow, and Wolf Creek Ski Area got pounded with 9 feet!! That’s not a draught. That’s a Snow-u-copia. Or a Snow-a-palooza. It’s a lot of snow is what it is. And it just keeps coming. Which is great news.

As such, the weather reporters are back in the saddle. “Old Colorado City?” one reporter recently asked rhetorically, then answered his own question, “How about COLD Colorado City!” Nice one. The passion returns. Welcome back.

And remember what they say in Colorado is true--if you don’t like the weather, wait five mintues: it will change.

www.lifeincolorado.com

Waldo Canyon Trail - Cascade, Colorado

2007-12-08T20:57:00.001-08:00

This is video from our recent hike on the Waldo Canyon Trail just west of Colorado Springs.

Holiday Lights Around Colorado

2007-11-29T23:31:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts of the holiday season is all the purty lights. When you have a beautiful backdrop like Colorado to showcase those lights, you get "the best holiday light display in the country."

That's what Denver's Botanic Gardens claims to have with their 19th Annual Blossoms of Light. Spread out over 17 acres, over 1 million lights dazzle the garden grounds. Wow!

To find out more about holiday lights displays around Colorado, visit our Holiday Lights page. And have yourself a Happy Holiday!

www.lifeincolorado.com

Garden of the Snowy Gods

2007-11-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

Garden of the Gods is a must-see if you're ever in the Colorado Springs area. Giant orange sandstone fins rise up hundreds of feet in the air, with Pikes Peak as their background.

In the summer, this drive-through park is packed with visitors, but in the winter, it's a little quieter...and a lot more mysterious. With snow shortly on its way, put the Garden of the Gods on your list for a cool (ha!) wintertime activity.

See more photos at www.lifeincolorado.com

All Along the UFO Watchtower

2007-11-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

Do you believe in UFOs? A lot of UFO activity has been reported in Colorado, especially over the San Luis Valley. So much so, that the UFO Watchtower was built by a local cattle rancher. Check out one of our WEIRDEST ADVENTURES.

From CNN's Larry King show this past weekend:

"A historic occasion will take place in Washington on Monday. Former high level government employees, military officials and pilots from all over the world will come together. They'll discuss their own UFO sightings and encounters and they'll do it at the National Press Club in the nation's capital. Some of them will share their stories for the first time. This group has gathered together to call on the United States government to take an active role in investigating cases involving Unidentified Flying Objects."

www.lifeincolorado.com

Royal Arch Trail - Flatirons, Boulder CO

2007-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

We went hiking on the Royal Arch Trail in Boulder last weekend, and it looks like the weather is going to hold out for one more summer-like hike before the snow falls. Check out this popular trail for some great exercise, a look at a massive sandstone arch, and stunning views of Boulder and the Flatirons.

www.lifeincolorado.com

Pets Love Colorado Springs

2007-11-05T22:53:00.000-08:00

Forbes Magazine just listed Colorado Springs as the Number 1 Pet-Friendly City in America!

"Generous public space, ample veterinary care and wealth of pet-friendly retailers all added up to heaven on earth for this small metropolis of just under 400,000 people and their estimated 61,000 dogs and 54,000 cats."

Read the full article HERE

PS - Denver was 10!

www.lifeincolorado.com

Estes Park adventures

2007-11-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hi! We just added two new adventures to www.lifeincolorado.com.

Both are in Estes Park! A fall trip to see the bugling elk and Trail Ridge Road can be viewed HERE or if you're more of the snowy type, read about our snowshoe trip to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park HERE.

As always, plenty of beautiful Colorado pictues to see as well. If you've never been to Estes Park, make sure to check out one of these adventures. Maybe you'll decide to get up and go. ;)

Hope to see you soon! www.lifeincolorado.com

Manitou Incline

2007-10-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Just did the infamous "Manitou Incline" hike yesterday for the first time, climbing up old railroad ties to the top of Rocky Mountain. What an awesome challenge. You might want to fact-check me on this, but I think these are the stats:

5000 steps, one mile up, 2000 feet of vertical.

The workout is top-notch. The views are amazing. Check out the full story and photos at: www.lifeincolorado.com.

WWW.LIFEINCOLORADO.COM IS UP!

2007-10-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hello!Our website http://www.lifeincolorado.com/ is up and running, and we hope you come visit. It's about adventures you can take all over Colorado, and there are even some tips on weather and moving and fun facts up there too. But mostly it's about getting outside in the Great Outdoors, in our beautiful Rocky Mountains. We really want to hear your ideas for cool places to visit, and any feedback you can give us would be greatly appreciated. Hope to see you soon!http://www.lifeincolorado.com/

October - The Winds of Change

2007-10-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

October weather in Colorado is a roller coaster ride like no other. On Saturday it snowed for the first time on the front range. And two days later it was 75F and sunny, like June never left. The mountains in Summit County are getting over a foot of snow. It's pure chaos, and I love it. So wear your layers, and remember: cotton kills. Stay warm. Or stay cool. Whatever works for you. And whatever you do, visit us at www.lifeincolorado.comHope to see you soon!