Colorado’s winter is short compared to Minnesota, but in our city, Colorado Springs, we still chase the sun to fight off winter’s frost. Here are a few local spots I’ve found to boost your vitamin D and internal happy meter.
Fuel before adventuring out
Stay in your warm bed and lazily start your chasing the sun mini-adventure with Loyal Coffee’s artisan peppermint mocha. Expect a passionate riff from one of the six hipster barista-owners. Loyal is at the top of the pyramid of great coffee shops, and they love to evangelize their passion for excellence in coffee and their investment in our local community. Loyal’s aficionado roasted beans will arouse your taste buds attention from a potent swallow of espresso to a Spanish-originated Cortada-warm milk and espresso.
Don’t skimp-go for the soft boiled egg on toast and a sausage Po’ Boy. Bust your Palio diet and go carbs with breakfast grits to continuous fuel your winter outing.
408 S. Nevada Ave. Colorado Springs, CO.80903 (719) 235-5477
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
The trick to staying warm on a cold Colorado winter day is to stay in the sun. Cheyenne Mountain State Park serves up 21 miles of low elevation trails between open-prairie and lightly forested single-track trails for of hiking and biking. Pick your line by setting out from Limekiln trailhead parking lot and aim towards the sun along the 2.6-mile Talon loop to the 3.3 mile Sundance loop trail. Leave the pooch at home, no dogs are allowed on the trails.
Directions: Take the South Academy Exit off I-25, just south of Colorado Springs, head west on S. Academy to Hwy 115. Make a left on 115, follow the signs to the park.
Open year round 9 am to 4 pm. 410 JL Ranch Heights Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80926
Bygone Era Flavors by the barrel
Shake off the crisp air at Distillery 291 Whiskey tasting room with a flight of Wild West Whiskey. For $10 sip one of five distinctive whiskey’s replicas inspired by taste and stories from owner Michael Myers. Growing up in the heart of Tennessee whiskey country with nearby legends Jack Daniels and George Dickel serves up flight tastings of each spirit Wed-Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm.
1647 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 (719) 323-8010
