There's a nice gazebo in Manitou's Memorial Park called Seven Minute Springs, and I shot a small wedding there last Saturday. This elaborate "throne" sits in front of the gazebo, but I was so focused on my job that I failed to even notice it until I was getting ready to leave. It's called Revivification and the artist's name is Zach Tabb. Pretty cool!
A very chic couple from a wedding I shot last month at the Craftwood in Manitou. As far as wedding guests go, these two are the most stylish ones I've come across so far this year (and there has been some stiff competition). Her dress and shoes, just wow!
On Saturday I got to hang out with my old friend Heather, who was in the area visiting her dad. I don't get to see her much since she lives in Arizona, so it was great catching up! We had lunch in Manitou and then strolled around a bit. I noticed that the Cliff House has a new fountain in front. I think this one's a big improvement over the one that previously stood here. Not a terribly artistic photo or subject, but then again I was engrossed in conversation with Heather and wasn't exactly wearing my arty-farty hat in that moment.
It's the first of the month, which means Theme Day for City Daily Photo Bloggers! This month the theme is local history. As a big Colorado Springs history nerd, this is right up my alley. Behold our city's founder, General William Jackson Palmer, who was a Civil War hero, a builder of railroads, a philanthropist, an anglophile, and an all around interesting guy by all accounts. He founded Colorado Springs on July 31, 1871, and here's a little known fact: he founded Manitou Springs, too.
General Palmer's statue sits smack in the middle of the intersection of Platte and Nevada, in front of Palmer High School (the city's first high school), and since some people really cannot wrap their heads around the fact that you should drive around it and not into it, apparently it will soon be moved somewhere away from bad drivers in the near future. Pity -- it's stood in this spot for generations.
For more local history images from CDP bloggers all over the world, click HERE. Enjoy!
There's a shop in Manitou that has a giant wizard mural on the side of it, and that's about as Manitou as it gets, people. Though it's been there for years, I've never been inside because it basically struck me as a head shop, which isn't really my jam. I did, however, have a certain fondness for the place, because how can you not love it, right? The last time we happened to drive past, a month ago, I noticed that the shop owners must have closed it down and retired. This funny little sign in one of the windows caught my eye, and there's another sign on the farther window that says "Sorry, We're Dead." And alas, a sign on the door that reads "Retired." Now I regret never going in there -- I bet it was a cool place!
Did you know that Manitou Springs was recently named a certified pollinator district? I think that's pretty cool! You can read more about that HERE. This bee themed "mural" (it's really more like a sticker or wallpaper) on the side of a building on Manitou Avenue is quite appropriate, don't you agree?
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. Yes, that is an emu. This lady is named Billie Sue, and her emu is called Dennis. (Dennis! Gaaah! So cute!) They've become minor celebrities of sorts in Manitou. I've had a friend or two post pictures of Dennis on Facebook and I wondered who the big bird belonged to. Now I know! She told me that he's two and-a-half years old and she's had him since he was a chick. I've never met an emu before. He was extremely mellow. And very, very big, with rather prehistoric looking, three toed feet. He likes to be petted in a particular spot on his side. Oh and Dennis is very attached to his human. People, this is why I will not eat an animal. You think birds don't feel love and affection? Think again. Just look at how he hugs her back with his long neck when she hugs him. It's adorable!
The perfect outfit to wear while walking your pet emu on a 90°+ degree day in Manitou Springs. Cute! (Stay tuned for more on this fun lady and her unorthodox pet tomorrow.)
We've had so much rain lately (and snow in the mountains), that there have been some flash flood situations in the local creeks and streams. Some homeless folks who camp near the water have had to be rescued. To compound things, it's May, which means that the spring runoff from the mountains is sending tons of water down to the lower elevations. These pictures were taken in Manitou Springs over the weekend. As you can see, the creek is swollen to the max.
I had many errands to run today but no good photo opportunities arose, so I went digging through my archives and found this gem from November 6, 2021. This gent strolling down Manitou Avenue definitely looks like he's just had a little "smoke break" if you know what I mean. (Wink wink, nod nod.) Hey, it's perfectly legal here, you know.
Behold, Bob's Westside Liquors in the fringe where Colorado Springs morphs into Manitou Springs. Bob's was the first (and probably the only) drive-through liquor store in the city. I had a friend who availed himself of Bob's drive-through convenience on the daily way back in the 1980s.
I don't know what this sculpture is called, but I like her! She sits in front of what used to be call The Castaways and is now known as Lulu's, in Manitou.
And now, for your listening pleasure...
I was doing a little location scouting for a pinup shoot the other day, and Mo's Diner caught my eye. It would, in fact, be a great location for such a theme because it's the real deal. When I was in college my boyfriend used to take me here sometimes, and he'd insist on waking me up at the crack of dawn for these breakfast outings. It was worth the agony though, because it was truly a breakfast-at-a-diner experience, and you know how much I love diners! This is practically the last surviving old school diner in the city (technically it's in Manitou). I haven't been in there since college. I really need to get in there and experience breakfast at Mo's again soon.
A cool guy I met last month in Manitou. I can't remember his name, only that his personality suited those groovy sunglasses. He even struck an interesting post for me.
If golden backlight is your jam, Colorado is the place for you. I took this picture last week in Manitou while on a shoot at the Cliff House.
Today is 4/20, sort of the de facto National Marijuana Appreciation Day. I can't remember why April 20th is such a big deal for pot users, but it's a big deal around here. Right at noon I drove past Slice 420 on Oro Blanco and North Carefree, and it was under siege. Later in the afternoon I found myself in Manitou for a meeting, and both of the pot dispensaries there were doing good business. Here's one of them.
Puffy vest, cute purse and some stylin' boots, nice casual choice for shopping in Manitou on a wintry but sunny weekend.
A new piece of public art next to the parking lot at the Manitou Springs Arcade. At first I didn't like it, but after taking a second look at it I've changed my mind. It's interesting!
I've been dying to try this restaurant since hearing about it recently. They specialize in beignets! Yum! You can find Rocky Mountain Beignets in Manitou Sprigs, right on the main drag. I was in Manitou (again) a few days ago to run a little errand with Pat. Alas, we were in a hurry and didn't have time to indulge in beignets, but I vow to go back soon and give you a full report then. Can't wait!
Manitou was a busy place last Saturday! Actually it's a busy place all the time these days, it seems. I captured these ladies embarking on an afternoon of shopping. As you can see, it was a beautiful, sunny day -- a perfect day to hang out with friends.
