Five Acres with a View

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July 11, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

June 29, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

I spent Sunday morning scribing for the stadium jumping at Abbey Ranch Horse Trials between Palmer Lake and Perry Park.

June 13, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

While I was looking for a place for us to celebrate our 30th anniversary as well as Jack’s birthday, I came across the website for the The Black Bear Restaurant, a four-star restaurant a short distance from Colorado Springs of which I had never heard. The Chef’s Table (a fixed price meal) seemed interesting, so Jack made reservations.

I thought it slightly odd that there was no photo of the restaurant building on the website, and when we made the drive to Green Mountain Falls, I could see why: it certainly didn’t look like any four star restaurant I had ever seen before. Stated bluntly, it looked like a dive.

Appearances are deceptive. We chose the six course meal, and it was some of the best food I have ever had. We had fennel salad, which was very spicy; bison stew; caramelized onion frittata; a creamy pasta dish; Limousin steak and potatoes; and chocolate. I think it may have been the best steak I’ve ever had. The portion sizes were quite restrained, so we were full when we left, without being stuffed.

June 13, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

Taken from the window of the car while Jack was driving.

June 03, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

June 03, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

Colorado Springs has many old Victorian buildings downtown, most of them subdivided into multiple living spaces now. Many of them are wood frame houses, but there are some like this one in brick.

June 03, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

On warm summer days, the park service turns on the Uncle Wilber Fountain in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. Children play while their parents watch from the sidelines.

June 01, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.

Created on May 25, 2008 with The Gimp from a photo that I took last spring.

May 22, 2008 - Click on image for higher resolution version.