Top Five Destinations of Colorado Springs

Have you ever sat in the first row of an event? My first time that I remember came behind home plate at Sky Sox game in Colorado Springs and I have to admit, I was not impressed. Yes, I got to see the movement on pitches a lot better than I had before. Yes, I got to see the defensive adjustments that players made before each at bat. However, I couldn?t judge fly balls. It always seemed like I got to see someone?s back instead of a play at second. It was cool and I liked the experience, but it wasn?t something that I?d pay $650 for in a major league stadium. (Yes, that is the current price for a front row seat, behind the plate at Dodger stadium, before service fees. Yikes.)

At a concert, I can understand being in the front row if you?re going to see Liz Phair, Sleater Kinney or Tori Amos, but otherwise, give me a seat near the mixing board. It?s there for a reason as far as I know, because that?s the place where the music sounds the best. (I could be wrong, feel free to correct me if standing in front of the left bank of speakers feeling your skin vibrate is the best way to hear a band. Then again, maybe I?m just getting too old for mosh pits.)

So, when I think of Colorado Springs, I think of learning that when it comes to baseball, the best seats aren?t necessarily the expensive ones. Sometimes it?s great to be in the bleachers. Sometimes it?s great to be in the upper deck. Wherever you are, you get to watch baseball with friends and have a couple beverages and a hot dog and that?s what it is all about. So, I think you can guess my first destination on this list.

Go see a Sky Sox game

Currently, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox have a few well-regarded prospects on their roster, including third baseman Nolan Arenado, outfielder Corey Dickerson and corner infielder Ryan Wheeler. (Arenado is in the top 60 in all of MLB and Dickerson got mention in John Sickel?s list just outside the 150.) As a Cardinals fan, I?d hope to go see the August 12-15 series and hope that Arenado and Oscar Taveras aren?t yet in the majors.

Drive Pikes Peak Highway

I look at the picture of Pikes Peak Highway and I just know I have to drive it. Nineteen miles in total, it goes to the top of the mountain amid switchbacks and turns without guardrails. If I want to put my fear of heights to the test, it seems like a great road to try. The only negative comes in the form of a toll that is $12 per person in the summer.

Hike around the Garden of the Gods

I?m going to go ahead and assume my fingers will be cramped in the form of claws and have to be pried from the steering wheel after that drive. To calm my nerves and fears, I?ll take a stroll in the Garden of the Gods Park. Though as I walk, I plan to avert my eyes from the monstrosity that I just topped in my car.

Play the most dangerous game at Battlefield Colorado

I may need to calm myself even further, so laser tag at Battlefield Colorado might not be the best idea. However, because I don?t have to worry about being bruised by paint balls, it?s at least better than that.

Have dinner at The Blue Star

At the end of a long day, I want sustenance. The Blue Star serves snapper ceviche with beet, orange, passion fruit, mint and basil. Follow that with a beef tenderloin and the Corleone (vanilla bean ice cream rolled in graham cracker, nuts, chocolate and other delights) and I?ll be ready to tackle all of these things again, budget for tolls permitting.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.