Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Saturday, October 11th 2014 the rain gods that had punished Colorado Springs with two days of record rainfall departed to the Northeast and the day dawned clear and sunny.  Blinking like moles in the bright sunlight we emerged from our soggy RV and headed off to visit a rare historical treasure, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Manitou Springs.  The site is preserved under a red sandstone overhang and visitors are free to touch and go inside these fascinating remnants of the Anasazi culture.

Multi level cliff dwellings at Manitou Springs.

A red sandstone overhang protects the cliff dwellings.

An example of how small the main entry doors are!

 

Manitou cliff dwelling selfie.

 

After leaving the Manitou cliff dwellings, we spent some time in historic downtown Manitou Springs.  Nestled between Pike's Peak and the Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs is home to eight free flowing naturally carbonated mineral spring fountains for all to enjoy. 

Tom sampling some naturally carbonated soring water.  Yes, he's burping.....

To wrap up the day we took a stroll down main street in old Colorado City located a short distance from Manitou Springs.  Envisoned as a major supply hub for the new gold mines in South Park and Blue River, Colorado City commerce instead shifted towards serving the agriculture of Colorado's eastern plains.

The 1861 Colorado Territory capital...for 5 days before it was moved to Denver.
 



A colorful town indeed!