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Favorite thing: Situated at an altitude of one mile (1.6 kilometers) above sea level, Denver is known as the "Mile High City." The city is located on the high plains, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Contrary to popular belief, Denver is not situated in the mountains.

The city that would become Denver was established as a mining camp called Montana City that was set up on the banks of the South Platte River. Montana City was soon abandoned in favor of a more permanent settlement, called Auraria, that was located on the south bank of Cherry Creek where it merges with the South Platte River. Shortly after that, General William H. Larimer, Jr. established a rival community on the north bank of Cherry Creek that he named Denver City in honor of the territorial governor, James Denver. Denver City and Auraria eventually merged into one town, whose economy was at first based on servicing miners, and included such businesses as goods trading, livestock, gambling establishments, and saloons. In 1861, the Colorado Territory was established. (Prior to that, much of what is now Colorado was part of the Kansas Territory). In 1867, the territorial capital was moved from nearby Golden to Denver, which became the more important city after a railroad spur connected it to the Transcontinental Railroad at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Colorado's capital and largest city, Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. People are lured to the area by a booming economy, a pleasant climate, and unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. With about 3,120,000 inhabitants in the greater metropolitan area, Denver is the financial, cultural, and transportation hub in the six-state mountain region known as the "Rocky Mountain Empire."

After a devastating economic slump in the late 1980s, Denver is currently undergoing a renaissance, with a large influx of population, one of the best economies in the nation, massive new construction projects throughout the metropolitan area, and an explosion of new cultural amenities and facilities.

Denver is the best educated city in the United States, with more college graduates per capita than any other city, and more federal employees than any city other than Washington, D.C.

Favorite thing: Founded in 1859 as a mining camp and supply base for gold miners seeking their fortunes in the nearby foothills, Golden is a pleasant city with the look and feel of the Old West. The city's motto is, appropriately, "Where the West Lives." It is nestled in a valley between Lookout Mountain (part of the Front Range) to the west, and North Table Mountain and South Table Mountain (both impressive flat-topped mesas) to the city's east.

The settlers named their mining camp Golden City, not for the gold they were mining from the nearby streams and foothills, but in honor of Thomas Golden, a miner from Georgia who was one of the first to find gold in the area. The settlement quickly emerged as an economic and political center due to its strategic location between the gold fields in the mountains of the Front Range and points to the east. It was also a gateway to important roads leading into the mountains. Golden City served as the capital of the provisional Territory of Jefferson between 1860 and 1861, and as the capital of the official Territory of Colorado between 1862 and 1867. In 1867, the territorial capital was moved to nearby Denver, which overtook Golden as the region's most important city after it was connected to the Transcontinental Railroad by a spur that was built south from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Nowadays, Golden is part of the western suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area, and has a population of about 19,000. It is home to The Coors Brewing Company and the Colorado School of Mines, one of the finest schools in the nation that specializes in geologic engineering and applied sciences.

Favorite thing: The high-altitude park that would one day become Estes Park was first visited by the local American Indians who summered in the area to escape the heat of the plains below. In 1859, Joel Estes, the first white man to visit the area, established his town on the banks of the Big Thompson River.

Nowadays, Estes Park has a population of about 5,800, and is one of the busiest and most important tourist areas in Colorado. As the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, there are many amenities for the influx of tourists. Estes Park abounds with restaurants, shopping options, and hotels and motels. The area offers almost unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, boating and rafting, fishing, mountain and rock climbing, mountain biking, and nature watching.

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Favorite thing: Colorado is the land of the Rockies and outdoor activity. Enjoy it to its fullest.

Fondest memory: The rangers at the various National Parks have very different personalities. My favorites were the ones at Rocky Mountain National Park. They knew about the trails. Not from reading, but from actually walking them. We had our sights set on Flattop Mountain and possibly another valley hike nearby, but a ranger explained you could combine the two into a long loop hike. He said that the traverse between the two trails wouldn't be marked, but that the route would be obvious as long as the weather was clear. The only catch would be we would have to cross the Andrews Glacier on the route. There would be signs warning of the danger of hidden crevasses, but at that time of year we would be fine as long as we stayed off to the side and got off onto the scree at the first safe moment, and way before we got to the frigid glacial lake at the bottom. Hell, we were game we thought.

The trail up was grueling. We were roasting from the glaring sun and physical effort, but once on top we were greeted with astounding views and a 30 degree windchill factor. After changing clothes we headed for the obvious part of the ridge he'd told us about and prayed for the weather to hold out, and happy that the wind was at our back. The glacier was a welcome sight as we figured now we had found our way and wouldn't have to return via the same route. Now, we just had to make it down in one piece and all would be apple pie.

We started down precariously but soon found ourselves skiing down on our boots and later on our butts. It was a blast! We got to a point where the scree looked manageable and made our way down to the lake. God, it was such a relief to be down there. It was perhaps a crazy thing to do, but it had been such fun. Now that it was done, it would just be an unbelievable memory. When the adrenaline wore off a bit, we realized what a beautiful place we had come upon and enjoyed some solitude before making our way down the lush valley before us.

Favorite thing: The scenery in this state is usually enjoyed best in the morning hours. If you want to go out sightseeing, try to get an early start. As the day goes on, it often becomes cloudy and may storm. Even if there's no rain, the haze degrades the view. So this is a good place for a morning person.

Favorite thing: This small town near Colorado Springs received its popularity for waters rising from the aquifers deep below the ground, that filled with minerals in high concentration, including the carbonic acid, which gives the water its’ bubbles. First ones who noticed the healing quality of the water were Indians that visited this valley for centuries. Major Stephen Long arrived in 1820, along with surgeon, Doctor Edwin James. It was Dr. James who wrote of the health benefits of the mineral waters. After that many rich people came to this place to heal their and their children health.

Manitou’s development quickly attracted wealthy tourists and long-staying guests. Manitou was laid out like a European spa town, affectionately referred to as Palmer’s “Little Switzerland” , with numerous public facilities and parks.

When tuberculosis was no longer a national health threat, the town became from health resort to just tourist attraction. Now tourists come to buy some souvenir, art work, Indian pottery, also walk among Victorian buildings or even to stay in a hotel of Victorian era.

Fondest memory: Visit my Manitou Spings page for more tips

Favorite thing: Each season offers different activity choices:
If you love to ski, obvious choice is winter.
Elk are easily seen in the fall.
In my opinion, Summer (June & July) is the best time to see the most.

Just remember on timing-Colorado still has snow in the mountain areas end of May.

Favorite thing: The world needs our prayers. Remember always to be thankful for all that you have. If you can read this now, you have been blessed. Please ask the gods and goddesses to bless others. Do something good for someone everyday. And praise the powers that be.

Blessed Be!