New to Manitou

     It's been just shy of two weeks since I arrived in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Words couldn't describe how beautiful this area is or do pictures truly paint the full picture. Manitou Springs, Co is located within the foothills of the mountains surrounding Pikes Peak.

     It's a small town with a population of just under 5,000. However I've heard estimates that 500,000 visitors pass through Manitou each year to go to the top of Pikes Peak. And you get that tourist feel in this city for sure. But not in a tacky t-shirt & key chains type of way. There are original, creative artists and boutiques in most of the available retail downtown. Similar to the charm that St. Augustine, Florida offers when it comes to artists and originality.

    One of the neatest things to me about Manitou Springs though are the actual springs.; the mineral springs. You can find one every 500 feet in this city it feels like (see photo of two men filling up their bottles). Each mineral spring has a slightly different taste based on which minerals the water past through at some point.

   Since Manitou Springs is located in the foothills of The Rockies, it is obvious that the hiking trails are endless. And they are. The hiking has been my favorite part so far. Every day I feel like I am missing out because I read about a new trail, or someone tells me about a new waterfall or mountain or rock formation to get to from this area that I haven't been to yet. The proximity to nature and complete silence is just steps away. Except for the constant sounds coming from Ruxton Creek as it flows over large boulders that eventually runs through the entire city, but that will never get old.

  Manitou Springs does have it's odd side. The residents call themselves Manitoids. And there is definitely some ecentric styles and city art that gives this town even more character.

jason