The weather is getting warmer - and - like every year - they are spotted on the streets of Colorado Springs in increasing numbers. What are we talking about? Bikes!

If you're a rider - you might be interested in some of the events scheduled for this year:

May 17th - The Pikes Peak Custom and Classic Show & Shine, to be held at Pikes Peak Harley Davidson

June 22nd- Tejon Street Bikes Fest - touted as "Bikes, Babes, Concerts, Contests, Guys & Grub"

August 15th to 17th - 16th Annual Salute to American Veterans Rally and 21st Anniversary of the POW/MIA Recognition Ride, to be held in Winter Park, Colorado

September 6th - 6th Annual Motorcycle Tribute Parade, to start at Pikes Peak Harley Davidson

October 5th - The 21st Annual High Country Toy Run, collecting Toys for Tots  together with the United States Marine Corps

For additional Information see http://www.pro-promotions.com/ or call (719)487-8005

Ride Safe!

Thank you Zack Littlefield - for bringing this to my attention!

This is a call to Everyone in Colorado - to Dine Out on May 1st, 2008!

Why? Project Angel Heart is having a fundraiser in Colorado. Participating restaurants in Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs will donate 25% of their proceeds from May 1st. Approximately 350 restaurants are participating - so you can eat out for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and help Project Angel Heart.

Who are they? Their Mission is to provide: "Meals with love for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in Denver and Colorado Springs."

They've also been named "Colorado's Most Outstanding Non-profit Organization" by the El Pomar Foundation.

So - get together with family, friends and colleagues - and "Dine Out For Life" - check out the participating restaurants; you can dine in Boulder, Golden, Evergreen, Downtown, Capitol Hill, Aurora, Colorado Springs and other places. Why not have fun for a good cause?

Have you ever wanted to climb in the Garden of the Gods?

Did you know that you have to register with the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center before you can climb? But if you neglect to do so - you can be find by the park rangers. (And yes - they ARE out there...)

Once you're registerd - which only takes a few minutes (Honestly!) includes reading over the current rules (pay attention - there are always areas that are Off limits) and regulations and filling out a short form. It's all done to be sure that you know what you're doing!

Technical Climbing is permitted on established routes, in group of two or more - NO single climbing! (For safety purposes). Proper climbing equipment is MANDATORY and the use of eco-chalk is recommended/encouraged.

All other climbing or rock scrambling is ILLEGAL.

While this may sound harsh- it's done - once again - for your safety. Tragic accidents have happened...and they are just trying to prevent them as much as possible. So be safe - and enjoy!

Thank you Zack Littlefield - for bringing this to my attention!

This is a call to Everyone in Colorado - to Dine Out on May 1st, 2008!

Why? Project Angel Heart is having a fundraiser in Colorado. Participating restaurants in Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs will donate 25% of their proceeds from May 1st. Approximately 350 restaurants are participating - so you can eat out for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and help Project Angel Heart.

Who are they? Their Mission is to provide: "Meals with love for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in Denver and Colorado Springs."

They've also been named "Colorado's Most Outstanding Non-profit Organization" by the El Pomar Foundation.

So - get together with family, friends and colleagues - and "Dine Out For Life" - check out the participating restaurants; you can dine in Boulder, Golden, Evergreen, Downtown, Capitol Hill, Aurora, Colorado Springs and other places. Why not have fun for a good cause?

Can't make it on the 1st of May? You can still donate and help a fellow citizen!

Hope to see you - out, about and eating out - on May 1st!

Not sure what I'm talking about? Better ask your kids! Most will be able to tell you - to the minute - how much longer it'll be till Christmas! (Yes - today IS the 4th....and if you celebrate Christmas - that leaves you 20 days to do whatever it is you have left to do....be it shop, decorate, plan, mail cards etc.)

If you have kids - you know that December 24th is the LONGEST day for them...it stretches, like elastic. Each minute lasts several hours and it's still broad daylight! If you are looking for something to keep your kids occupied and to stop them from asking for the 2789th time if Santa is on his way....check out NORAD's Santa Tracker.

Norad uses a radar system called the North Warning System, to track Santa's route on Christmas Eve. In addition, they use a "Santa Cam" to follow along, capturing images of Santa on his trip.

Want to check it our for yourself? See the NORAD/Santa site, and count down with your kids! (You can even add a gadget to Google and track Santa from there...)

Read another great story on how the Norad/Santa connection came to be - posted by Carrie Farrel, a Veteran Santa Tracker.

I've written about the things I love about Colorado, and specifically about Colorado Springs. But maybe, I'm biased.  After all, I live here. And I really love it. So I thought it'd be interesting to get an "Outsiders" point of view. Well - not really Outsider - but a Visitor's point of view. Visitor's from Germany to be exact.

My parents and my sister came for a two week visit. (My Mom had been here before, but it was the first time for my Dad and my Sister.) We took them around Colorado Springs, North to South, and East to West, including Territory Days, several Parks, Downtown and Old Colorado City. Manitou, up to Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Mueller State Park, Wilkinson Pass and more.  When it was almost time for them to return back to Germany - I asked the question I was most curious about: What do you think of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas? What are your pros and cons?

Here are their answers (some expected some surprising):

Pros:

• The natural Beauty is stunning. The privilege of waking up to views like these is a special treat.
• The city is very "green" - trees and flowers everywhere!
• So much offered in one Town - from Museums, to Trails, from Events and History to quiet Areas.
• The stores are amazing - you can find a much larger selection here than in Europe.  (Sports gear, Craft Items, Decorative Items, Computers, Cell Phones etc)
• Great "integrated" school system. (My sister is handicapped, and in Germany, that means that she attends separate schools - schools for the handicapped only. In my opinion, not the best route to go.)
• Friendly and helpful people! Everyone was nice!
• Great Opportunities for everyone - from schooling to employment.

Cons:

• No user-friendly public transportation System, despite the city's size. (FYI: Europe's public transportation is extensive. You do not need to own a car to ‘get around'.)
• The cities growth/sprawl on the East and North Side. Where are the factories and employers? (FYI: This from my Mom, who's been here twice before. European cities are very compact, due to space issues and each city has industrial areas.)

After spending two weeks here, they declared that it was one of the best vacations and that they can't wait to return for another visit. The above pros and cons were offered due to my questions, and I think it's interesting to get another opinion. Sometimes, due to seeing it every day, it's harder to pinpoint what is special about an area and what could use improvement.  Overall, I think we're extremely lucky to be living in a city like this.  Thanks to everyone for making this a great place - not just to visit, but to live.

The following post probably falls under all three - it's a place, you'll meet great people and you can do a variety of things. This is one of Colorado Springs' parks, fairly easy to find (not tucked away like some) and pretty big.

Cottonwood Creek Park, Colorado Springs - is located off Dublin Drive and Rangewood Drive in the North/East area of town is a popular spot for anyone age 1 to 100. There's something to do for anyone, whether you'd like to participate in a team sport, play or just hike.

If you start out on the South/West corner of the park (corner of Dublin and Rangewood) - you'll come across the roller hockey rink. It's very popular and can get crowded, specially as the evenings get warmer  - but if you like to play - it offers several pick up games throughout the week. Next to it (north), you'll find large baseball diamonds - which are used by a number of recreational teams (in case you'd like to join one), as well as families, throwing the ball around for fun.  A great playground - with numerous slides, climbing toys, swings and sandboxes is close by. Adventures to be had by all! (Including Adults!)

Keep walking uphill (west) and you'll come upon the pool - the indoor pool which features a water-slide and wave pool! Just beyond that are the soccer fields....a VERY popular spot! Many of the city's soccer teams use these fields. Along the creek, you'll find walking trails and a golf Frisbee course! Feel free to play at your convenience - just bring your own Frisbee, endurance and good aim!

Cottonwood Creek Park is surrounded by neighborhoods, a couple of smaller office buildings across the street and Cottonwood Creek on the north. It's easy to find, fun to use and parking is, thanks to the large lot, no problem. Looking for something to do? Let's go to the park! Specially now, that spring seems to - finally - be taking over!

Exceptionally well kept and unique family home, offering 2 decks and a patio for entertaining, terrific views of city and mountains, finished garage with opener and workspace for the handyman. Spacious, yet cozy interior with fireplace for cold winter nights, 2 Master bedrooms (One on upper, one on main level)family room/loft upstairs, with walk-out to second deck, vaulted ceilings, close to shopping, parks, schools, Peterson Air Base and Schriever, in desirable neighborhood. Offers one level living.

 

 

 Unique home offering plenty of inside and outside living space

3 Bedrooms * 3 Bathrooms * 2 Car Garage * 2,216 square feet

 

 

 

Kitchen offers pass through to breakfast area and breakfast bar

 

 

 

 Main Level Living room with fire place and vaulted ceilings

 

 

 

 Formal Dining Room with walk-out to Patio or back yard

 

 

 

 Main level Master Bedroom with adjoining Bath and walk-in closet

 

 

 

 Upstairs Master Bedroom - also with adjoining bath and walk-in closet

 

 

 

 Upstairs loft/family room with walk-out to deck

 

 

 

 Spacious upper level deck with views

 

 

 Fenced Back Yard

 

 

 

 Shed for storage of bikes or gardening equipment is included

 

 

 

 Enjoy Pikes Peak Views from your back yard

 

This home is located on the North End of Colorado Springs "East" side - near Barnes Road. Please contact me at Sabine@ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com to schedule your private tour of this property. For general information about buying and selling Real Estate, Relocation and Community/Neighborhood Info (Colorado Springs), please visit me at http://www.ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com. Thank you.

Maintenance free, one level living in this raised ranch style home, with new laminate wood flooring and paint, private Balcony & open Floor-plan. Backing up to open space and walking trails, close to playground, near new school and shopping. Gates to complex to be installed in May according to Management Company (please verify). Twice/yearly exterior window washing included in Home Owner Association dues.

 

 

 Maintenance Free Living * Close to Schools * Parks * Shopping

2 Bedrooms * 2 Bathrooms * 2 Car Garage * 1,177 square feet

 

 

 

 Living/Great Room with Fire Place and Built-ins

 

 

 

 

 Open Kitchen with Stove, Dishwasher and built-in Microwave

 

 

 

 

 Breakfast Area with easy care laminate wood flooring

 

 

 

 

 Masterbedroom with adjoining bath and walk-in closet

 

 

 

 

 Secondary Bedroom - currently used as office

 

 

 

 

 

 Spacious upstairs Balcony

 

 

 

 

 Property backs to Walking Trails and Green Belt

 

 

 

 

Complex offers Playground and Waterfall

 

This property is located in Colorado Springs' North East Area, in School District 11. For a private tour, or to receive information about selling your current home and our marketing & flexible commission plan, please contact me either direct at Sabine@ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com, or visit http://www.ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com. Thank you.

 Looking for something special? See this custom built home in Broadmoor Bluffs. Entertain in the formal living & dining rooms, or enjoy a private evening in the Family room w/fireplace. The kitchen is not only for the serious cook, but a gathering place as well. Prefer to work from home? Take advantage of the main level office. The finished Basement offers additional Living space with a wood burning fireplace. This home is built to take full advantage of the great views & offers a large deck to enjoy them.

 

 

 Curved Driveway, fully landscaped, Stucco Exterior

4 Bedrooms * 4 Bathrooms * 3 Car Garage * 4,189 square feet * 0.46 acres

 

 

 

The private front patio/courtyard welcomes you home.

 

 

 The Kitchen with Bar is open to the Breakfast Area.

 Dishwasher * Double Oven * Trash compactor * Jenn Air Cook Top

 

 

 

Breakfast Area with Bay Window, Views of yard and Cheyenne Mountain.

 

 

 

 Main Level Family Room with walk-out to Deck, Gas Fireplace and 2 Ceiling Fans

 

 

 

 Built-in Wet Bar in Family Room

 

 

 

Large Formal Living Room with Vaulted Ceilings

 

 

 

 Formal Dining Room - located conveniently near kitchen

 

 

 

Finished Basement - offering Game Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, large Storage room (finished - can be used as additional bedroom) and wood-burning fire place.

 

 

 

 Enjoy views of your private yard or of Cheyenne Mountain from the large deck.

 

This home is located in Colorado Springs South West Area (see info about South/West area). If you'd like to take a private tour of this home, or receive information about selling your home, please don't hesitate to contact me at 719-510-1145 or at Sabine@ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com. For General Marketing and Selling Information, please visit me at http://www.ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com. Thank you.