Thursday, July 28, 2011

Beso de arte Bistro Latino

(photo from metromix.com)




Enjoy a "kiss" of culinary art at Beso, located in Morrison, Colorado. The ambiance alone is enough to make you forget the stress of the daily grind. Stone-built walls and soothing waterfalls help clear your mind and prepare your palet for some delicious and exquisite food! Whether you want to grab a bite to eat before catching a concert at Redrocks Ampitheatre (literally just around the corner), or you want to share a meal with a date or drinks with friends; this place is so adorable! You just gotta try it! Come on, you know you want to!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Avenue Hotel B & B



I recently enjoyed a visit to Manitou Springs, just west of Colorado Springs. My Mom was in town and I wanted to splurge on a nice bed and breakfast for the two of us. I came across Avenue Hotel Bed and Breakfast. We stayed for one night in the upper part of the Carriage House. The innkeepers were very friendly and have done a great job tending to the place. I was impressed with the fresh paint and trim work, cleanliness, and the fancy wallpaper inside the main house among other things. There is also a cool fireplace in the living room of the main house made of Manitou greenstone; a unique stone of the area.The Carriage House was furnished with everything that we needed and more. Very cute and quaint! I especially loved that the Avenue Hotel sits right on the main street so you can literally step out the door and explore Manitou's stores and restaurants. Gwen puts a lot of time and thought into each meal!
 So, if you are looking for a cute place to stay while exploring Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak, Cog Railroad, Cave of the Winds or any of the other dozens of sites in the Colorado Springs area here's the place for you! And the breakfast.....decadent and scrumptious!








Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Eleven Mile State Park



I recently camped at Eleven Mile State Park. This was my first time visiting the park. It is very picturesque seeing such a huge lake set amidst the backdrop of snow-capped peaks! There are over 300 campsites and it is very ideal for fishing and boating. I really enjoyed being near the water and it definitely met my desire to find a wide open space! However, there were some rules that put a slight damper on the trip: no swimming, only 3.2% alcohol allowed (though I'm not sure how well this is followed), and there was currently a fire ban. So, definitely check ahead if you absolutely have to have the campfire experience! Despite these minor setbacks, I really enjoyed my time here...gorgeous sunsets!!