2014 Hike

Calhan Paint Mines Offers Wonderful Formations

There is a rich diversity of life out on the Colorado prairie that is rarely seen by visitors, as the mountains are the biggest draw. The Calhan Paint Mines is an archeological district on the plains of Colorado that has a very diverse ecological system that includes prairie, wetlands and badlands filled with fantastic formations. […]

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Hiking in the Colorful Paint Mines in Calhan Colorado

Now for a completely different type of hike out on the Colorado Prairie. One has to drive about an 45 minutes out from the edge of Colorado Springs to get to Calhan where the Paint Mines Interpretive Park is located. This is one of the most spirit renewing hikes I have ever taken. I was […]

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Brave Birds Among the Ancient Cedars in Garden of the Gods

This hike had many interesting facets to it, not an ordinary Garden of the Gods hike. When we stopped for a lunch break on the way back down, there were some very brave birds. I often leave some nuts or dried fruit for creatures to find when we are gone. I placed a few pistachios […]

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Cloud Faces in the Garden of the Gods

Everywhere I looked on this hike, I saw faces in the sky. Some were in groups, others just singular and very obvious. Every time I looked at this cloud formation above me while waiting for my hiking partner, I saw more and different cloud faces and creatures . Some seemed downright spooky, others were laughing […]

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Hiking Creek Beds and Among Ancient Cedars in Garden of the Gods

This is one of my Most Favorite Hikes in the Garden of the Gods, or anywhere. I hadn’t been on this “secret” trail in about two years. It starts off on a mellow creek bed, then there is an uphill climb to an open area. Next you can hike up to a grove of Ancient […]

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A Walk with Two Ladies Becomes a Uphill Hike

On Friday, my Greek friend and Kathleen Suggested we take a Walk together on Sunday. They had planned on parking their cars at my house to avoid the paid parking in Manitou Springs. But when I got up and started to get dressed, I saw that my cottage tenant had begun the process of moving […]

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Becky Elder Keeps the Carnivale Parade Characters In Line

Every Parade needs someone to keep it moving, but not have the participants not on top of each other. Becky has done this for many years. And on this cold and snowy day, Carnivale Parade participants wanted to get moving as fast as possible once the parade began. But that means they get bunched up and […]

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Everyone Wants to Join in the Carnivale Party

Walking down the Manitou Avenue costumed people are seen everywhere.   And my, how much fun they all are having at Manitou Springs Carnivale Day, even in this frigid weather. Even though many observers were wearing coats to stay warm, the had painted faces, fun hats or masks to keep them in the spirit of […]

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Carnivale in Manituo Springs Always Has Giant Puppets

Carnivale would not be the same without its Giant Puppets. The very first parade had giant puppets by Al Laurie and the tradition has been continued by others and even some of his originals showed up for many years. In fact the lion and the green creature were in the very first Carnivale parade that […]

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The Day After Manitou Springs Carnivale 2014

I hiked Manitou Springs for Many Miles on Carnivale Day. Totally different type of hiking than most people do. I hiked to Manitou Springs Memorial Park, then back up to Soda Springs Park, taking photos of the parade in three different locations. Then hiked back to go dancing at the Townhouse and the Keg. Down […]

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