Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse
http://www.texasroadhouse.com/ * 595 S. 8th Street * Colorado Springs, CO 80905 * Phone: 719-473-9711 * Fax: 719-473-9715
Well it’s definitely an American chain restaurant with over 310 locations in over 44 states. This cookie-cutter establishment was founded by Kent Taylor who wanted to bring good steaks, ribs, and beer to the American population for an affordable price. They wanted to merge the bar-room experience with the family restaurant kind. Peanut shells all over the floor, its a ruggid mess. They hand-cut their steaks and claim award-winning ribs, and blab about home-cookin’ and everything being made from scratch. Its a little hard to believe with chains. They offer the expected steaks and ribs, but also chicken, fish, salads, and veggies. The service was good during our visit, however the food was mediocre in my opinion. My dinner mate raves about the restaurant saying its one of her favorite places. To me though the food was the quality you get from chains, perhaps however, I’m biased on the chain experience. The food was decent and affordably priced. Not being a very big fan of country music, can’t say I could rate the music high either. Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
http://www.cmzoo.org/ * 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road * Colorado Springs, CO 80906 * (719) 633-9925
One of Colorado Spring’s hotspots of activity. Nestled on the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain, just below the infamous “Gold Camp Road” and Buddhist temple, snug in the middle of elegant housing communities just above the richy-rich Broadmoor, is a pretty elaborate zoo that allows close spaces in getting to know the animals. 146 mountainous acres with close to 800 animals of every variety. Also has a skyride and a restaurant. Originally founded in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose to house his growing collection of exotic animals that originally started out south of town where Fort Carson’s Turkey Creek Ranch now exists. In 1938 the zoo was established as a non-profit public trust for the people of Colorado Springs to “provide recreation, education, conservation and scientific facilities in the field of zoology and related subjects, and to preserve the Zoo in perpetuity for the people of the Pikes Peak region.” The zoo goes out of their way to make each attendee an active participant. Many of the animal areas for the animals that aren’t threatening to humans, are open-aired with little to no fences like the kangaroos, the giraffe’s, peacocks, and other critters. A little pricey but a wonderful experience. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Star Trek: The Future Begins (PG-13: 2009)
Star Trek: The Future Begins (PG-13: 2009)
Director:J.J. Abrams; Starring: Chris Pine … James T. Kirk; Zachary Quinto … Spock; Leonard Nimoy … Spock Prime; Eric Bana … Nero;
Bruce Greenwood … Pike; Karl Urban … Bones; Zoe Saldana … Uhura (as Zoë Saldana); and many more.
It’s a time travelling action packed adventure with new stars and crew of the the Star Trek Enterprise as Spock visits himself with past/present/future dilemmas. It takes a bit getting used to Zachary Quinto as Spock given I’ve type-casted him in his evil-”Heroes” role, but what an excellent job! The film chronicles the early formative years of young Captain Kirk filling in the gaps of what happened to his father and how he fell into the role of “Captain” of the Enterprise. Its the year 2233 and the USS Kelvin stumble upon a blackhole is space only to discover a time continuum that struggles to settle an old score between Spock and the Romulans. Action packed, humorous moments, and great acting … this is a top film for any Trekkie fan. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Montague’s (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Montague’s
* 1019 S Tejon St * Colorado Springs, CO 80903-4238 * (719) 520-0672 *
What a charming little America meets Europe coffee n’ tea house. This little joint is off-center from downtown Springs but a certain treasured find for those seeking a hole-in-the-wall place to hang and do brew, games, conversations, and light meals. Comfy couches and elegant decor, just like sitting in your plush living room. You can get the pot of tea of your choosing for your lengthy visit. Intriguing collections of old photos too to give you some old-fashion entertainment. Great cookies, cakes, teas, and coffees. Sandwiches are quite nice too. Was a perfect place for me and my date to catch afternoon tea and good conversation before viewing the new Star Trek! Thanks Wendy …. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. (visited 5/16/09) Reviewed at: Wanderwords.com, Virtualtourist.com, Technogypsie.com.
80’s Night (fridays) at the Underground (patio) : Colorado Springs, Colorado
DJ Gypsy
80’s Night on the Patio @ the Underground
* 110 N. Nevada, Colorado Springs, Colorado * 719.578.7771
http://www.undergroundbars.com/
Running for a couple of months now, and growing in popularity, is a night full of dance and frolick upstairs at the Underground on fridays. Downstairs DJ’s TJR, LL Bishop, Tony G, Mike Devious, and Hauss spinning in the main room while DJ Gypsy brings back the old favorites of the 80’s upstairs. Seems the main populace of the club on fridays go up to the patio for the fun and dance as this night of visiting and dancing on 5/15/2009, the downstairs was empty and the patio was saturated. DJ Gypsy knows how to bring back the 80’s. The night is still growing and young, but definitely a hit for the 80’s crowd. I can’t really comment on the downstairs or the DJ’s down below as the dance floor in the lower level on this evening was empty and everyone was upstairs so I didn’t spend much time listening to the djs there. But the top level was top-quality. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 for the music & the DJ. 2.5 stars for the location: The patio gets a bit smoky for those with allergies, and the dance space is small. Tip for the Underground - if you move DJ Gypsy downstairs, I think you’d be filling your club night with alot of patrons and a pretty decent bar intake as the dj experience was fabulous and high quality. I’ll be back. Overall rating for the night experience: 3 stars out of 5. Review at: Wanderwords.com, Virtualtourist.com, Technogypsie.com.
Oscar’s Oyster Bar (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Oscar’s on Tejon
333 S Tejon St * Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2001 * (719) 471-8070
http://www.oscarstejonstreet.com/
Oscar’s in downtown Colorado Springs - is a fun little bar and grille right off the main drag where great meetings occur for happy hour and fun/frolick. It’s also one of Colorado Springs’ infamous locations for Oysters and being one of the few Oyster Bars in this desert/mountainous/ land-locked oasis. In fact, they bill themselves as an Oyster Bar. Oscar’s Oyster Bar and Baithouse is owned by a husband/wife team - Phil and Ashley Duhon. Bringing speciality from livlihood in Louisiana, one can find a unique cooking style for the Rockies. Proud of their menu offerings of steak and seafood, you won’t go hungry with the fresh food they have to offer. A festive bar location with live music over the weeekends, a friendly staff, and good potent drinks …. you’ll be pleased. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Reviewed at Wanderwords, Virtualtourist.com, Technogypsie.com.
Bride Wars (PG-13: 2009)
Bride Wars * (PG-13: 2009)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0901476/
Director: Gary Winick. Starring: Kate Hudson … Liv, Anne Hathaway … Emma, Bryan Greenberg … Nate, Chris Pratt … Fletcher, Steve Howey … Daniel, Candice Bergen … Marion St. Claire, Kristen Johnston … Deb, and many more.
Two childhood girl friends grow up with hopes in their heart to meeting their Prince Charmings and getting married in the most spectacular way. As adults, the story takes us to Manhattan where the two girls are professionals - Liv as a lawyer and Emma as a school teacher. Fate just so delivers that they are proposed to by their boyfriends in wacky round-a-bout ways on the same day and both set sights on holding their weddings at the infamous Plaza Hotel planned for a few weeks apart, utilizing the world famous wedding planner Marion St. Claire’s services. But Marion’s secretary screws up and schedules their weddings for the same day. Neither agrees to change the date and they become rivals going to war with one another with mischievious attempts to ruin each other’s wedding plans. It becomes quite comical and mean with much mysteries about themselves revealed. I found the film fun and humorous. Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.
Zombie Marriage Counseling
ZOMBIE MARRIAGE COUNSELING: I DON’T EAT GUYS
DAY 2 and 3 of BELTANIA 2009
2nd Annual Colorado Beltania Festival: Day 2 and 3
www.beltanefestival.com * Parrish Ranch * Outside of Fort Collins, Colorado * Living Earth aka Highlands Ranch Pagan Meetup *
Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, 2009
“Living Earth” which is formerly known as “Highlands Ranch Pagan Meetup” has begun to host an annual celebration of the Pagan Sabbat of “Beltane” or “May Day”. On their 2nd annual run of the three day festival, this nonprofit event on a private ranch brings festivity to the season with open rituals, classes, workshops, children’s activities, and service projects. Beltania offered its attendees a large outdoor stage with some incredible acts, an indoor 3000 square foot lodge, hundreds of acres of outdoor space, restrooms with cold water showers, workshops, activities, rituals, a traditional Maypole dance, sweat lodge ceremonies, all-night drum circles, catered breakfasts/dinners, merchant area, RV/camper’s hookups, wild camping area, quiet camping area, skyclad areas, a swimming river, and much more. Over the course of the three days, the festival saw over 700 guests in attendance.
May Pole Procession:
Bodypainting at Beltania 2009
2nd Annual Colorado Beltania Festival: Tree Leaves’ Bodypainting
www.beltanefestival.com * Parrish Ranch * Outside of Fort Collins, Colorado * Living Earth aka Highlands Ranch Pagan Meetup *
Friday-Sunday, May 8-10, 2009
It was a last minute decision for The Tree Leaves’ Oracle to decide to show up to Beltania 2009, and while pretty sure that entering as a last minute merchant/venue wouldn’t fly, they figured they would try it anyhow. Of course, merchant row was too full, so it was just camping and festival fun. I decided to setup the camp anyhow, a place where people could come for free to paint themselves or get painted, just like we do at Apogaea and Burning Man. We were having too much fun running around dancing, frolicking, swimming, and merrymaking, but did get a few dynamic designs in … here they are ….
Leaf as the “Green Man”
hand-painted with acryllic
Allison as the River Spirit
handpainted acryllic by Leaf