Anniversary trip in the Springs

Happy six years to us. To celebrate I had reserved a secret BnB stay in Manitou Springs, about 2 hours south of us. It’s just west of Colorado Springs, but neither of us had been before, and we were surprised and delighted to discover an adorable historic town at the foot of Pike’s Peak with great restaurants, shops, beautiful architecture and lovely scenery.

First stop: pinball arcade! This is a classic Gray activity when we’re out on our own. Before we were married we used to go to a bowling alley in Lafayette to play some Michael Jordan pinball game. And then in Boulder we used to ride to the Hill to hit the arcade in that weird indoor mall near College Optical. Lately we’ve been playing play station pinball, but it just can’t measure up, especially not to Star Trek pinball. Although I have to admit that despite Patrick Stewart’s participation, this was a particularly lame game of PB.

  

Taking a break on the streets of Manitou. I took a lot of these. I’m definitely slowing down in the face of impending childbirth.

We started Saturday morning off with a hike through Williams Canyon. There was supposed to be a waterfall, but we never saw more than a few puddles.

    

 

I liked the look of this suspended highway over the mountain greenery.

 

Here’s our BnB: the Avenue Hotel—can’t recommend it highly enough. Delicious breakfasts, beautiful rooms, hot tub, etc.

 

 

And then we went to Greek Festival in Colorado Springs, where we ate lamb, lamb and more lamb…

 

…and saw some bored but gaily festooned adolescent dancers.

Chris likes to photograph dancer’s’ feet.

      

And then we toured the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where, as you can see, I picked up some serious speed.

And then I won.

The center can house up to 150 permanent residents. Once they’re chosen to train there, it’s completely free to them, and most stay for 4-6 years. Here are some male gymnasts training.

  

 

 

 

 

And here is the weight training gym. Athletes spend up to six hours/day here. There’s now a ceiling-high fence to keep them out when it’s closed—apparently people were sneaking in at night to get in extra training hours, and were injuring themselves.

This is the closest I will ever get to the Olympics no doubt.

Though Chris has aspirations as a pugilist.

 

The flags of every country line the walkway from the visitors center to the training facilities and dorms.

 

“Nah, I don’t want to fight you. Show me a real threat.”

We have Chris to thank for this shot.

Chris faces the Karate Kid and loses.

 

 

 

That night we had a fancy dinner and caught a dollar-movie—that’s right, the Grays know how to splurge for their anniversary! Sunday morning we walked around Old Colorado City, and then ended up at a bar to watch the World Cup. Espaaaaaaaaaana! Golasso! Golasso!! I think Chris was bummed that I got my book out after half time. That game is just too demoralizing and theatrical for me, but I appreciated seeing someone get karate kicked in the chest; that was cool.

And on the way home on Sunday evening we saw the most stunning rainbow ever.