Colorado Springs
Dr. Quinn, Marijuana Medicine Woman

By Mike Marino

Colorado Springs has been called many things, by many people, including myself when living the life there, and I can honestly say, it's rustic roots certainly brings out the cowboy in you, and the cowgirl too for that matter for those of you of that gender. It's probably most familiar to the legions of television addicts as the setting for the TV show, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" starring Jane Seymour. Although they never came right out and said it, I have speculated in my deranged reasoning, that whether she ran a wild west compassion center ot not, rest assured, that there was at least one, if not two Chinese opium dens that would have pleased the other Dr. Quinn, the Eskimo. Remember now, the Dr. Quinn character studied natural/herbal medicine and their pioneer high plains uses from the local native peoples, (weed had to be in that little medicine pouch of hers somewhere) so, if you stretch your imagination to the infinite edge of it's outer limits, Dr. Quinn could have been the first Medical Marijuana Western TV show in the history of American pop culture.

The Springs, as it is affectionately called by locals is a geological rock and roll heaven, especially an area called Garden of the Gods, perfecto for quiet contemplation, hiking, horsebackriding,rock climbing and scaling. It's also a favorite spot for photographers who have the spirit of Ansel Adams residing in their souls.The restaurant and gift shop affer spectacular views of nearby Pikes Peak and the Garden itself while you dine and relax. It's a labyrinth of magnificent red rocks that seem to tower to the highest reaches of a polarized blue sky, a mysterious stairway to heaven.

The most memorable trip to the Gardens I experienced was on a Rocky Mountain Christmas Day. Expecting not another soul to be out and about, I was pleasantly surprised to find others who had the same idea. The interesting part is that none of them were American's who were still ripping presents open from under the tree, but a battlion of international visitors from mostly Japan and Germany. I struck up a conversation with one Japanese family, and from there we commenced to putting together snowmen and women on a miniature scale so the kids could also mass produce them. All the miniatures were appropriately dubbed Bonsai Snow People, and the legend began. The Germans by the way jumped in too, and with typical Germanic precision created snowmen and women built to last ten laps on the Autobahn!

Not far away is the Seven Falls, tucked into a box canyon, and is so magnificent, it's on National Geographics list of international waterfalls, which is like being chose, for baseballs All-Stars game! The best view is from the top of the falls, and there is an elevator built into the cliff that takes you to natures version of the top floor. For the healthy heart approach you can hike up the 224 step stairway, or take one of the two hiking trails to Inspiration Point for a view of Colorado spread out as a Rocky Mountian tapestry.

Hiking and biking are ways of life in Colorado, and both Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls offer a cornucopia of options for both, however, green tech has arrived on the scene for the green crowd who prefers their touring on environmentally friendly wheels other than a mountain bike. We are talking about the beloved Segway PT, the personal transportation device that entered the market a few years back, causing a green tech storm of acceptance. It's a silent, battery powered gizmo that can go for 22 miles at 12 mph, not exactly "Born to be Wild" speed, but, enough to give your hair a tossing as you defy gravity. These wheeled wonders are popular around the world and now you can Segway with the best of them while touring Seven Falls and Garden of the Gods. The most dominant feature in the Colorado Springs area however is Pikes Peak. It can be hiked, biked, or as I have done driven up in a car on the same road that hosts the Pikes Peak Car Rally that tests the pedal to the metal stamina of would be road rally challengers. One of the most enjoyable ways is to take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway up to the summit, and round trip it back down. It's an enjoyable ride up the the side of one of America's most famous and most inspirational mountainsides.

Got Rustic? Take the Cog Railway to Mountain View, then hike one mile or so (at 10,000 feet!) to Barr Camp. It's a rustic experience on the face of a mountain where you can roll out the back to earth red carpet for a cabin experience, or in a lean-to shelte. My way is to pitch your own tent. Remember...little to no cell phone service, wireless computer service, and no television. You will have to rely completely on your inner spiritual self, and that is the best part of the whole experience.

Colorado Springs has arts, culture, entertainment, and the Air Force Academy for those who what to get eight miles high on the wings of Boeing. Wining and dining goes without saying in Colorado Springs, but my favorite haunt and hideaway is the Old Colorado City section of the Springs. It screams culture and arts louder than a B-movie horror scream queen. Founded in 1859 I found it to be historically, a lawbreakers delight. Outlaws filled the two dozen or so saloons, whore houses and of course, the jail. The town was the definitive description of the Wild West on six gun steroids.

Most of the buildings in existence today date from this period of renewed growth. Today Old Colorado City represents the best in shopping, dining, and entertainment while keeping the friendly, homespun flavor of the west. You can browse the more than 120 shops, galleries and restaurants along the main drag, and marvel at giant pottery displays by local artisans, paintings and sculptures in galleries, Mexican art (one shop owner goes to Mexico and Central America each year on buying trips for one of a kind finds and offers them for sale to the discriminating shopper. Day of the Dead items also abound, my particular favorite collectable, along with my Freda Kahlo collection. You can hoof it or ride it in a carriage tour of the old city.

Booze, brews and blues abound with the annual Battle of Chili, BBQ, Beer and Bands held each July where Chili and BBQ competitors will come to show-off their best recipes for the honor of being named "Best BBQ" or "Best Chili" in Colorado Spring all to the sound of blues permeating the air like a fine BBQ sauce adding just the right flavor to the event.

For more information on visiting Colorado Springs, annual events, and things to do, visit their website at www.coloradospringschamber.org and for information regarding Colorado's Medical Marijuana rules and regs, dispensary listings and more, visit http://coloradomedicalmarijuana.com/ for all the news that's fit to smoke.