Traditionally the family gets together during Thanksgiving at one of the families residents, this year we chose the Colorado Springs home. I took this opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of hiking and the wonderful sites that Colorado Springs had to offer.

Our first stop was right in our backyard "The Garden of the Gods"

This place was not only jaw dropping but memorizing all at the same time. The beauty was just out of this world and once you walk the trails you realize the magnitude and power of Gods creations.

Refraining from taking selfie after countless selfie, picture after picture and video, one truly has to detach form electronics for at least :30 minutes and just take it all in. For there is just something magical and healing about being in the center of nature and the garden of the Gods doesn't disappoint.

it was very cold for it had just snowed the day before so the air was a crisp 20 degrees so gloves and layers of clothing was a must, so grab your favorite winter coat and hot beverage of your choice in tow and head out to experience the trails of Garden of the Gods.

if the beauty doesn't impress you the history should, for you see In 1879 Charles Elliott Perkins, a friend of William Jackson Palmer, purchased 480 acres of land that included a portion of the present Garden of the Gods. Upon Perkins' death, his family gave the land to the City of Colorado Springs in 1909, with the provision that it would be a free public park.

Our next stop was to "Manitou Springs" If you have ever wondered about Springs of Colorado and where it all came from the name Manitou typically comes up in conversation, you see when visitors ask about where the springs are in Colorado Springs, the answer is none other than Manitou Springs.

Currently, there are 8 springs open to the public, each with its own distinctive flavor and effervescence. Centuries ago, the great tribes of the plains and the Mountain Utes paid homage to the healing and spiritual powers of the mineral springs and believed the medicinal waters were a gift from the Great Spirit Manitou. If your wondering how it all works its the Rainwater and snow that melt from Pikes Peak and surrounding mountains that soak into rock fractures, as the water penetrates to great depth, it becomes heated and mineralized. The warm water naturally flows up into cavernous limestone where it becomes carbonated, then issues from the numerous natural and drilled springs throughout Manitou. Because the water takes thousands of years to complete its journey from mountain sources, it is totally free of industrial and atmospheric contamination. ​ ​ INFORMATION ABOUT THE MINERAL SPRINGS Make sure to stop at the Manitou Springs Visitor Center to pick up your free Mineral Springs brochure/map, detailed content chart and sampling cup. Here is the mineral springs walking map provided by www.manitoumineralsprings.org Manitou Springs Visitor Center 354 Manitou Ave. Manitou Springs, CO 80829 ​ 7 Minute Spring Seven Minute Spring was drilled to enhance the park of a large hotel at the site in 1909. Carbonation caused it to erupt at 7 minute intervals. It was re-drilled in the 1990's and the surrounding park was developed. ​ Cheyenne Spring Cheyenne Spring is a natural, sweet soda spring, from limestone aquifers a mile deep and believed to be 20,000 years old. ​ Iron Spring Geyser Iron Spring Geyser is a drilled spring prescribed by early physicians for iron deficiencies. It was on the daily walk for 1800's health-seekers. ​ Navajo Spring Navajo Spring is located beneath the present popcorn and candy store. Navajo Spring, a natural soda spring, attracted the Indians and settlers, which led to the establishment of Manitou Springs. Its water supplied a large bath house (spa) and a bottling plant. This Manitou Water was famous across the nation. ​ Shoshone Spring Shoshone Spring, a natural spring with some Sulphur, was highly recommended by physicians for its curative uses, before modern medicines. ​ Stratton Spring Stratton Spring was drilled by the Stratton Foundation as a service to the town, where popular pedestrian and traffic routes follow earlier Native American trails. ​ Twin Spring Twin Spring, originally two drilled springs now merged into one flow, is sought for its sweet taste, calcium and potassium content. ​ Wheeler Spring Wheeler Spring, a drilled soda spring, was donated to the city by the family of Jerome Wheeler, of the New York Macy's, residing in Manitou Springs and involved in banking, mining and railroads locally and in Aspen. His home, Windemere, was located at the site of the present day post office. ​ Source: www.manitousprings.org