Manitou Walk

Walking through Manitou Springs, several of the proposed questions were answered.  Manitou seems to be hidden from the bustle of bigger surrounding cities, seemingly untouched by time.  Art lines the streets, not just sculptures, but in the shops that line the main road through town.  A town re-built on its original heritage.  We were told of a tornado that swept through in the late 70's, and sat in a building that was rebuilt using the orginal structure.  Of all of the buildings, almost none, if any, were new, just renovated.  Even at night you can see the difference.  Instead of neon lights lining the roads, it is just street lamps and the soft glow from windows of businesses. The artwork that lines the streets reflects the town, showing its deep roots in the arts.  All of the shops are a testament to the small town feel; many of which have hand crafted goods, instead of mass produced products.  I went back later in the week, I was not able to get all of my pictures due to the rain. At night, it was quiet, a huge difference from the bustle of shoppers and tourists during the daytime. 

Manitou has always been a place for tourists.  There are several hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts that line the street.  To this day, Manitou is a favorite place both for people visiting from out of town, and for those of us that need a break from the bigger city.  By taking pictures of what we see, or document a trip through the town, we all participate in the towns construction. We keep pictures for ourselves, but we also share them.  When a picture is shared it becomes something permanent, something that someone else can talk about and describe. 

Everything in the town seems to be connected, all of the shops, the local people, and the visitors.  There is a flow to the town that you can't find anywhere else.  A place where nature and commerce are really acting as one.  A place where you aren't a stranger for long.  All of the art has a place, and without it the sidewalk would be missing something.  Everything is in it's place, from the parks, to the drinking fountains, to the shops and restaurants.  When walking through the streets, you feel connected, like you belong too.