Off to Manitou Springs, CO

“The journey is my home.” -Anonymous

We decided to take a little detour on our way back to Texas this fall. We're going to spend the next week exploring and relaxing around Manitou Springs, Colorado. It's been the quintessential tourist town since the 1870s, when visitors discovered the healing waters the Ute Indians had been drinking for years. The Native Americans who once lived here considered this area sacred and believed the water had healing and spiritual benefits (Manitou). The waters come from the underground streams from the Colorado Rocky Mountains which collect minerals along its journey. The town became a hub for those looking to recover from tuberculosis and other ailments. But Manitou Springs has a lot more to offer than healthy water. They have tons of diverse shops and art galleries, natural attractions like the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, endless amounts of hiking trails and great restaurants.  

The apartment we're staying in is part of what was Jerome Wheeler’s carriage house built in 1888. Wheeler married into the Macy (department store) family and became its president in 1879. He and his wife visited Manitou Springs for their health and built a summer home there. He was instrumental in building many things in Manitou Springs and the development of Aspen, CO. He's also known for the railroads he built in Colorado, including the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway, a cog railway that still transports passengers to the top of Pikes Peak.

We've been very busy the past 2-3 weeks so we're looking forward to doing a little exploring, a little hiking and a whole lot of relaxing.