Vacation

Planning a short vacation over Memorial weekend. Heading out to Manitou Springs, CO. It's a fun little town at the foothills of Pike's Peak, right next door to Garden of the Gods. It's like stepping back in time to the 60's & 70's. Just about every store is run by either an old hippie or a new age hippie or somebody with an unusual amount of quirkiness. The stores are unique also. You're going to look a long time for a Gap, Old Navy, Borders, Starbucks, or a Burger King. You actually have to leave the town to find these stores. I think my favorite store was The Dulcimer Shop. All handmade musical instruments by the former mayor. When you meet this guy, he's the anti George Bush. Last time I saw him, he was wearing clogs, wool socks, a kilt, a tye dyed t-shirt, and could have doubled for Jerry Garcia. There is also an arcade there thats been in existence for I don't know how many years. It's only open for part of the season because 50% of it's outdoors. There are quite a few antique games that only cost from a penny to a dime to play, and then there's the horse racing! It's a kicked up version of ski ball and your horse moves down the track the more points you rack up. You're playing against probably nine other people and you win tickets to redeem for prizes. Did I mention it's only 25 cents to play? Of course, I go because my kids love it so much. (yeah, right). Even the smell of the town draws you in. Fresh roasted coffee and the smell of patchouli. Brings out the hippie in you, and we all know I have a few hippie tendencies anyway. Time to dig out the flip flops, hear I come Manitou!