America the Beautiful

Barr Trail is one of the Pikes Peak region’s most iconic hiking paths and whether one trains for the annual Pikes Peak Ascent or Marathon, or simply desires to hike it for its own merit, it packs a punch. Beginning at an elevation of approximately 6,800 feet in Manitou Springs, it climbs steadily to 14,115 … Continue reading America the Beautiful

Welcome back to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Welcome back! As announced last week, today’s tour will afford further glimpses of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, located in the historic El Paso County Courthouse. As it reopened on July 9, 2020 after being closed for over 3 months, you don’t have to limit yourself to a virtual visit (but please wear your mask … Continue reading Welcome back to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Welcome to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

Welcome to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Allow me to introduce to you one of my favorite home-grown institutions, where I have happily served as a volunteer docent for over five years. Our local history museum is located in the former El Paso County courthouse. The building was commissioned in 1899 and completed in 1903, … Continue reading Welcome to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

More Mural Magic-Part 2

I dedicate an occasional post to murals I have encountered during my forays in Colorado. Each is introduced by the featured photo above, which depicts a mural from a local coffee shop in Manitou Springs directly west of Colorado Springs. It offers an interpretation of the Colorado State flag, shown here: The two horizontal blue … Continue reading More Mural Magic-Part 2

Who Am I?

More often than not, you will see signs of my activity, rather than see me personally. I gnaw off tree trunks and branches, which serves a threefold purpose: it keeps my teeth, which grow throughout my lifetime, at the proper length; it provides me with nutrition, herbivore that I am; and last but not least, … Continue reading Who Am I?