Flying W Ranch Colorado Springs

Well, it's another one of my fondest childhood memories. The Flying W Ranch... I think my parents learned about this place when my dad was working for Hewlett Packard in Colorado Springs. I think they used to have company off-sites there and the whole family would be invited for the supper that is served along with the band and the train rides and all of the other fun neat little things that are offered! These guys have teepees set up, old style western shops, a country style band, and honey butter that is so good.

This is really a neat place to take the family and I had a blast running up and down the steps to ride the train and explore the rocks there when I was a kid. The Flying W Ranch is located just up on the foothills of Colorado Springs and sort of rests between some of the same sort of rock formations that make up the Garden of the Gods.

Cave of the Winds Colorado Springs

I think every Colorado local has heard of Cave of the Winds. This cave was discovered by a couple of teenagers many years ago when howling sounds were heard. These days the cave has been nearly completely explored and the larger sections feature stairways with railing and flourescent colored lights to add a bit of artistic flair. Cave of the Winds also touts a high tech laser lights show that is projected onto a large flat canyon wall (made of rock). Perhaps the coolest part of the Cave of the Winds is the deep exploration tour. This special guided tour is set up for more adventurous souls who want to experience the thrill of old time true explorers. On many parts of the tour you actually have to squeeze yourself through long tight tunnels and there is no way to turn around! You get all decked out in gear and have a helmet and light... It's not for the faint of heart or clastrophobic! Expect to get dirty on this tour but definitely have a lifelong story to tell after you make it out.

Garden of the Gods

Even thought I was born in Colorado Springs, I didn't spend much time there until I was a bit older. My family would take short road trips from Loveland (which is about 1.5 hrs North) and we would hike and explore the area. I love mountain biking at Garden of the Gods! There are some sweet trails that take you all around the park... I used to have a great Scott brand bike but outgrew it and ended up with my Dad's carbon fiber Diamondback. These days I ride a Marin (which is funny because I lived in Marin California when I bought it used).

Okay, so besides mountain biking there is really a lot to do at Garden of the Gods. One of my favorite parts is watching rock climbers! The whole park is full of rock formations that jutt out of the ground and provide world class climbing routs. If you ever get the chance to go, head towards the main formations (the largest ones near the visitors center) and walk in between the rocks on the trail, you will see free climbers and skilled lead climbers making assisted asents all the way to the top. People also jog around these parts and there is a lot of horseback riding.

Colorado Springs

Born in Colorado Springs on October 13th 1983. My father worked for Hewlett Packard at the time and we only lived there for a short time.

Colorado Springs is a place I have returned to many times in the later years of my life. Some of my best friends grew up there, including a guy named Tosh. Recently Tosh has relocated to LA to persue his career in the Air Force but Colorado Springs is where it all began for him. There is a very prestigious Air Force Academy there with a famous cathedral (I have posted an artists rendition of the cathedral here)