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8 Awesome Ways to Use Kool-Aid!

by Callie Helm - Nov 11, 2016

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It’s inexpensive, it smells good, and there are a lot more uses for Kool-Aid than just drinking it! Check out out all these awesome ways to use it, from activities for keeping kids busy to household chores, Kool-Aid can (almost) do it all!

Scrub away toilet bowl stains

Pour one packet of lemon or orange flavored Kool-Aid into your toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush. The citric acid and abrasive texture of Kool-Aid helps to break down and dissolve stains while smelling awesome! Much better than harsh chemicals!

Remove rust stains from concrete

Most of us can relate to these kinds of stains on our patio, garage floor or driveaway. Mix a few drops of water with a packet of lemon flavored Kool-Aid to make a paste. Rub it on to the stained area with an abrasive brush and watch it work wonders!

Color eggs

Never buy an Easter Egg coloring kit again! Kool-Aid comes in a ton of different colors now, and the packets are inexpensive! Mix one packet of your desired color with 2/3 cup of water and gently lower a hard boiled egg into the cup. Let it sit until desired shade of color is reached. We do this every year, and I promise they tuned out beautiful!

Make window clings with Kool-Aid and white glue

Pour Kool-Aid into a bottle of white school glue and mix thoroughly using a thin, long utensil like a chopstick or kebab stick. You can use the new colored glue to create art on canvas or paper, or make designs on stretched plastic wrap (tape down the sides to remove the creases) that can be dried and used as window clings! It smells good too!

Make scented playdough

Mix the following ingredients in a medium pot to make Kool-Aid playdough:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Kool-Aid packets (same color)
3/4 cup water

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the dough clumps together and reaches play dough consistency. Repeat the process for each color. Let cool and store in plastic baggies.

Make scented/flavored lip gloss

Heat up one cup of Vaseline in a small microwavable bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds (don’t let the Vaseline turn into liquid). Stir in a small amount Kool-Aid mix and stir well. Experiment with how much Kool-Aid to add. Transfer lip gloss to a small, portable container and enjoy!

Kool-Aid colored pasta

Make pasta extra fun, colorful and smelling great! Just add pasta, water and kool-aid in a baggie, let sit until desired color is reached, rinse, and you’ve got colored pasta! You can cook as usual and eat it or use for fun art projects!

Make scented bath paints

Get a muffin tin and fill each hole with shaving cream (you can get it for $1 at the dollar store), then mix in different flavors of Kool-Aid into each hole and mix it up. Kids can dip in paint brushes and then paint on the bathtub and tiles while they’re taking a bath!

12 Best Halloween Activities in Colorado Springs 2016

by Callie Helm - Oct 6, 2016

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Halloween is just around the corner, and you might be asking what fun things there are to do around town! We’ve done all the work for you, and made a handy dandy list of “spooktacular” Halloween activities in Colorado Springs. “All ages” activities are family friendly and have an asterisk beside them, all others are geared more towards teens/parents.

Click on the title links for more info! Enjoy!

1. Hellscream Haunted House:

Colorado’s Ultimate Haunted House, is not only one of the scariest haunted houses in Colorado and the Midwest, but one of the Top Haunted Houses in the Nation. For 6 years this intense, cutting edge, multi story, multi attraction haunted event has thrilled and terrified visitors…regularly garnering attention from the likes of NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and the Colorado Springs Gazette. Named scariest and best in Colorado Springs numerous years by the Colorado Springs Gazette, and named the scariest and most feared Haunted House in Colorado by several websites, and organizations! Created by film, television, and special effects professionals, HellScream is also notable for its custom movie quality special effects, amazing actors, unique themes, and extremely detailed sets. Don’t miss one of America’s best haunted houses…visit HellScream this Halloween season!

HellScream Haunted House was named best & scariest Haunted House in Colorado by DenverHauntedHouses.com
Best Haunted House in Colorado Springs by the Gazette Scream Team numerous years.
Peoples choice award for Best Scare & Best Value in Colorado by “Our Town Live” on 740 KVOR

2. Ghoul’s Gulch Haunted House

Ghouls Gulch is more than just a haunted house company, we are a family. The original members decided to move from home haunters to professionals in 2003 when they emerged in Colorado Springs and teamed with Theatre Works on Dante’s Inferno. Many of our original Inferno techs and cast have been with us since then and are now members of our family. We have watched the cast grow not only into adults but into key members of our team. With each haunt that we do our family grows and we are thrilled. We welcome previous cast and crew back and enjoy reuniting the family as often as possible.

Our family has a wide range of skill sets, from Professional Grave Diggers to Rock and Roll Roadies to Technical Theater Teachers to Electrical Engineers and Computer Scientists to Certified Pyrotechnicians, Airbrush Artists and more. We even have a Therapist to help out when we have messed with our own heads too much.

We are a diverse group and appreciate the uniqueness of the individual. We build haunts because it is our passion and we have fun doing it!

3. **Trick or Treat at the Spook-Out Shoot-Out

4. Goth Glam Bash at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

The Bash is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! Unleash your dark, mysterious side and prepare for an evening filled with eerie and alluring fun. Whether you’re cyber, goth, steampunk, glitter, Lolita, Victorian, or anything in between, we challenge everyone to enter the most creative costume contest and win the best, most exclusive prizes in town.

Oct 29, 2016
7:30p-midnight

Music
Photo Booth
Food Trucks
Cash Bars
Costume Contest with Prizes
Live Entertainment
- DJ
- Aerial Contortionist
- Taiko Drummers
- Tarot Card and Pendulum Readings
- Acrobatic Yoga Performers

Tickets: $10 pre-sale, $15 Oct 22-28, $20 at-the-door

5. **Boo at the Zoo

It’ll be all treats and no tricks for your little pirates and princesses at this year’s Boo at the Zoo, the region’s most unique Halloween event. Boo at the Zoo is a fun way for families with young children to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a safe environment, and all of our candy is made with sustainable palm oil to help protect wild orangutans!

Support the Zoo’s efforts to reduce waste by bringing your own trick-or-treat bag from home!

2016 Dates – Open 7 nights!

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 21-22-23
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, October 28-29-30-31

Time

4 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – with the last ticket sold at 7:30 p.m.

Please NOTE: The Zoo will close early for day visits at 3 p.m. on all seven Boo at the Zoo evenings, with the last ticket of the day sold at 2 p.m. Guests must exit the Zoo at 3 p.m. Last Sky Ride is at 2:30 p.m. and the Shrine Road closes at 1 p.m. The Zoo will open for Boo at the Zoo at 4 p.m.

6. **Great Pumpkin Run at Venetucci Farm

The Pikes Peak Community Foundation is excited to present the Annual Great Pumpkin Run at Venetucci Farm. Come out for a great morning and run, walk, jog or just cheer our runners on! We will once again offer the Little Pumpkin Fun Run that will include two distances, 400m and 800m, for children 10 and under. Feel free to wear your Halloween costume and join in on all the fun!

Due to severe hail damage to the crops and fields, the Pumpkin Patch will NOT be open at Venetucci Farm. However, please join us for a whole host of Family Activities on October 8th, including face painting, wagon rides, live music, and more!

Suggested $5.00 donation for non-runners.

Please note: Registration is online at Active Communities, sponsored by the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Online Service. You will need to create an account and use the following activity numbers:

8. **Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Parade

October 29, 2016 The 21th Annual “Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Parade”
12:00 to 4:00PM
This festival lines the streets of Manitou Springs with thousands of spectators cheering on 50 coffin race teams racing down Manitou Ave. Attendees come from all over the country to experience this internationally acclaimed event. The races are preceded by the parade of coffins and antique hearses. This event is a great kick-off to Halloween and fun for the whole family. More info at www.ManitouSprings.org

9. Emma Crawford’s Wake – Miramont Castle

October 28th “Emma Crawford Wake”, Miramont Castle
The cost of admission will grant you entrance into Miramont, viewing of Emma laid out in the parlor in pure Victorian splendor, and a Victorian Wake, resplendent with a generous buffet dinner and beverages in the Great Hall. Since this is sure to be one of the year’s most talked about events, make your credit card reservations early. Space is limited. Time: Viewings are every 20 minutes. The 1st Viewing is at 6pm and the last one 7:20pm.
Cost: Adults – $50.00, Children 12 and under – $30.00
Call 719-685-1011 to make your reservation!

10. Haunted Mines

The Haunted Mines is an all-volunteer charitable organization that raises money for theWestern Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI) and other local charities. We do this by producing a professional, thrilling Halloween event for our community’s enjoyment. We teach our volunteers valuable skills that they put to use at our events and carry with them into their adult lives.

We want to be the best Halloween haunted attraction in Colorado. We produce a thrilling and exciting event unlike any other, for adults of all ages and children (ages 13+). We use historical-based scenes and situations from the American West and America’s mining legacy as our backdrop, but with a new twist every year to keep you screaming!

11. Rocky Horror Picture Show at Iron Springs Chateau

Richard O’Brien’s ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ comes to the Iron Springs Chateau this October!

Live actors performing on the Iron Springs Chateau stage, along with the most popular cult movie sensation in international history playing, will provide an outrageously fun night. Goody bags are free to the first 25 arrivals – and there’s even a costume contest on Friday and Saturday evenings of Halloween weekend for fans who dress up as their favorite character. Come on down to the Chateau…It’s just a jump to the left…and a step to the right…Let’s do the Time Warp again…

This show is sure to sell out — Get your tickets NOW!

This production is rated R – You must be 18 or accompanied with a parent.

REFUND POLICY: Rocky Horror Picture Show Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
PRIVACY POLICY: Customer information is collected for the purpose of processing your order. This information is kept confidential and is not shared.

12. Fright in Falcon

We are a homeschooling family of 5 who love Halloween, being creative and “Geocaching” … and apparently, THIS is how all those things come together! 🙂

Fright in Falcon 2016

Halloween is almost here, and we’re getting ready for YOU!

We’re working hard to make Fright in Falcon 2016 bigger, better, and yes, even a bit scarier.

Fright in Falcon is open on Friday and Saturday nights September 30th thru October 29th, October 30th, and October 31.

Children’s Hours: 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Regular Hours: 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Don’t wait. Get your tickets here!

7 Sensational Drives to See Fall Leaves in Colorado

by Callie Helm - Sep 20, 2016

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It’s that time of year when we’re holding on to the last days of summer weather-wise, while also anticipating the beauty of Fall that is just around the corner! Leaves are slowly changing, and there’s a new crispness in the air. Colorado is home to some of the most spectacular Fall leaf displays in the country, and there are some beautiful drives we’ve listed below that will give you front row seats.

Peak season in Colorado for Fall leaves usually starts mid-September and runs through mid-October. Throw in an early cold spell and leaves can start changing in the first couple weeks of September. Pick a weekend and head out with the kids to experience colorful Colorado!

1. Trail Ridge Road – This drive takes you through (and over) stunning Rocky Mountain National Park. Take U.S. Highway 34 between Estes Park and Granby, and you’ll drive to 12,183 feet. There are several scenic overlooks to take in the scenery.

2. Boreas Pass between Como and Breckenridge – This gravel road is an old railroad bed and offers amazing sightseeing opportunities. Take Boreas Pass Road off of U.S. Highway 285 in Park County. If you’re in Summit County, take Boreas Pass Road right off of Colorado Highway 9 on the south side of Breckenridge.

3. Kebler Pass from Crested Butte to Paonia State Park – This is a longer drive from the Front Range the huge Aspen grove is said to be worth the trip. Kebler Pass Road extends out of Crested Butte, but can also be traveled from Colorado Highway 133 by taking Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then south on Colorado 82 to Carbondale. Take Colorado 133 south out of Carbondale to Kebler Pass Road.

4. Peak to Peak Highway – Take Highways 119, 72, and 7 from Black Hawk to Estes Park. Discover the Peak to Peak Highway off of I-70 by taking the Highway 119 exit.

5. The Maroon Bells – This may be the most photographed location in the state. Maroon Bells has many hiking trails and can be accessed from Aspen on Maroon Creek Road.

6. Divide to Cripple Creek – While on Colorado Highway 67 take Teller County 1 to Florissant. This is a great drive to catch some midseason color and to see some of Colorado’s mining history. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is also on the way and worth a stop.

7. Kenosha Pass – U.S. Highway 285, heading South from Denver has many beautiful summits and hiking trails to check out the stunning display of Fall foliage.

Learn how to preserve Fall leaves HERE. They make great crafts!!

6 Colorado Drive-In Theaters You Don’t Want to Miss!

by Callie Helm - Sep 7, 2016

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Chances are your childhood memories include going to the drive-in movies with your family. I have great memories of packing up the back of the car with lots of blankets, pillows, and snacks and watching movies with the trunk open, under the stars. There’s something so nostalgic about those experiences, and as a parent I hope for those kind of memories with my kids. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience a drive-in theater, or would like to take your kids to one, you’re in luck! Colorado is home to SIX drive-in theaters that are still alive and kicking and waiting for your next adventure! Check out our list below, and click on the the theater name for more info.

88 Drive In Theater

8780 Rosemary St. Commerce City, CO 80022

Phone: 303-287-7717

Google Review: Great place for a family night out! Reasonable prices and great movie selection. Love getting three movies for the price of one, nice big screen, easy to connect to audio, yummy concessions. Our family visits all season long. – Stephanie B.

Mesa Drive In

2625 Santa Fe Drive, Pueblo CO, 81006

Phone: 719-542-3345

Google Review: Great night out! They show new movies, comfy atmosphere, and nice people. You also get 2 movies for the price of 1! – Amber C.

Tru Vu Drive In

1001 CO-92, Delta CO, 81416

Phone: 970-874-9556

Google Review: Great family adventure and the employees dress up like next weeks movie characters! – Mackenzie D.

Holiday Twin Drive In

2206 S. Overland Trail, Fort Collins CO 80526

Phone: 970-221-1244

Google Review: So amazing. They make sure everyone can see and cars aren’t blocking in front of you and people aren’t too loud. Buy concessions so they stay in business! We love going here! I grew up going here and now get to take my own kiddos here. LOVE IT! – Lindsay T.

The Star Drive In Theater

600 E. Miami Road Montrose CO 81401

Phone: 970-249-6170

Google Review: One of the best places to go for a date or take the whole family. A wonderful atmosphere and great people. Not to mention the BEST burgers and fries around. -Chris T.

Denver Mart Drive In

451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO 80216

Phone:(720) 833-5717

Pumpkin and Apple Farms around Colorado Springs

by Callie Helm - Sep 2, 2016

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Can you feel it in the air? It’s that time of year! It’s time for everything pumpkin, Fall and festive! There are lots of fun pumpkin and apple picking farms in the Colorado Springs area, and it’s the perfect time of year for a visit. So grab the family and head out soon for some harvest adventures! Just make sure to contact the farms below before you go to make sure they are open that day.

Venetucci Farm

5210 South Highway 85
Colorado Springs, CO 80911
719.389.1251 (message only)
Email: Susan Gordon

Venetucci Farm has become famous for its large pumpkin patch and for the annual Pumpkins4Kids give-away program – but they also proudly grow more than 100 different varieties of chemical-free vegetables and herbs! Unfortunately there will be no pumpkins this year due to hail damage. Additionally, the farm is home to pastured heritage hogs, grass-finished cows, and a large flock of laying hens.

Register for the Great Pumpkin Run at Venetucci Farm HERE.

Wishing Star Farms

24024 Highway 94
Ellicott, Colorado

Tel: 719-244-7252

Email: info@wishingstarfarm.com

Wishing Star Farms has a big pumpkin patch with pumpkins already gathered from the field, train rides, tractor-pulled hay rides, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, and school tours! Lots of fun for the whole family!

Colorado Pumpkin Patch
Jellystone Park Larkspur
650 Sky View Lane
Larkspur, CO 80118

There is a reason the Colorado Pumpkin Patch was voted 8th Best Place to take your Kid. Come see why and climb on their straw bale pyramid, play in the rope maze, target shoot at gourds, visit the petting zoo, take a pony ride, enjoy a hay ride, play in the corn box, and don’t forget to pick out your own pumpkins!

They are located north of Larkspur right off I-25 at Jellystone Park and Resort Exit 174. 30 minutes south of downtown Denver and north of Colorado Springs.

Ferrara’s Happy Apple Farm

1190 1st St, Penrose, CO 81240

Phone: (719) 429-6300

Happy Apple Farm is one of Colorado’s most diversified pick your own fruit farms with Apples, Blackberries, Raspberries, and Pumpkins! They offer free hayrides and there is no admission! On the weekends they serve their apple wood smoked brisket or pulled pork along with Turkey legs and hot dogs for the kids. They also serve Panini Sandwiches, Apple pie, Apple Cider, Donuts and Blackberry cobbler along with other goodies in the Italian deli. In their Country Store they have a wonderful selection of Jams, Jellies, Marinades and great Apple Butter! They also roast Pueblo Chili’s!

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

1649 Poplar Ave, Cañon City, CO 81212

Phone: (719) 821-9133

From their website:

We are a family based business that originally started raising pumpkins to shield our nursery trees from a drought that was effecting our watersupply here in Canon about 14 years ago. Diana was allowed to keep the profits from the sell of these pumpkins for her band expenses and thus, the name Diana’s Pumpkin Patch was born. We soon realized that there was a need for pumpkins in our area and we started expanding. The corn maze was started 11 years ago to help families spend a little more “Family Time” on the farm. The Maze is really a big draw for our farm and it is a challenging part of the farm. The ability to raise such tall corn ever year on minimum space and very limited water is a genuine credit to Tim. He is the true farmer of this operation. Jimmy, our son, is his right hand when work needs to be done in the field. We are both proud of his equipment skills and willingness to help with the farm. I am Sue, the mom of this operation. I suppose the Maze ideas are mine and the love of variety in planting, when it comes to pumpkins. Once we realized the Maze and pumpkins went together well we expanded and Diana’s education was our goal. We have not been able to fund her entire education, but all of our efforts have helped support her dreams of a college education. We are proud of what she has accomplished. We have made your Fall Fun a very big part of our lives and we hope to do this for a very long time. Come out and see us, we would love to meet you!

Let us know if we’re missing any farms! We would be happy to add them to the list!

Great Wolf Lodge Comes to Colorado Springs This December

by Callie Helm - Aug 30, 2016

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If you’re looking for a fun place to “staycation” in Colorado Springs, Great Wolf Lodge Resort will be opening it’s doors on December 26th of this year! It’s promising to look like the amazing and adventurous place it’s already known for in other cities around the country.

Great Wolf Lodge will include a 311-room all-suite hotel, a 50,000-square-foot indoor water park (most excited for this feature!), restaurants, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, spas, a bowling alley, miniature golf and an arcade, according to TravelMarketReport website. Phew! That’s a long list of awesomeness!

Kids will love the cabin/outdoorsy/nature theme prominent throughout the hotel, with hotel rooms feeling more like upscale Summer Camp cabins. With plenty of activities for the whole family, you won’t have to go far for your next family adventure!

Great Wolf Lodge is offering your family 30% off a one night stay at the new resort! You must book your stay by September 30th. Get more information on their website.

The new Colorado Springs Great Wolf Lodge will be the resort’s 15th location, and is located at I-25 and Interquest Pkwy on the North side of Colorado Springs.

Colorado State Fair Savings and Deals

by Callie Helm - Aug 27, 2016

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The 2016 Colorado State Fair located in Pueblo runs from August 26th – September 5th, and there are tons of fun activities for the whole family including concerts, carnival rides, exhibitions, events and of course, food! This year the fair is offering lots of deals and packages to help the fair experience fit into the family budget. Check out the list below for great savings, deals and discounts!

Military and First Responder Discounts

Daily discount except for August 30. Get a $2 discount on gate admission. All members of the armed forces and first responders, with proof of ID/affiliation pay only $5 on weekdays and $8 on weekends. Thank you for your service!

Heritage Days presented by the Pueblo Chieftain

Daily Except August 30

Group Home Residents Free September 1

Fair guests 60 years of age or older get a $2 discount any day of the fair.

CSU-Pueblo Back-To-School Days

Friday, August 26 & Friday, September 2

Free gate admission and $15-discounted carnival ride band. Passes will be distributed to administrators in School District 70, District 60 and other participating schools. Includes free Loaf ‘N Jug drink and ticket to a select CSU-Pueblo football game.

Band Day, presented by KKTV-11

Saturday, August 27

The Colorado State Fair thanks and appreciates the hard work of marching bands in preparing to perform in the State Fair Parade. All marching band members in uniform get free gate admission and will perform on the Coke Stage.

Enjoy A Coke, Enjoy Your Day At The Fair

Saturday, August 27 & Saturday, September 3

Look on necks of 2-liter bottles of Coke in participating stores in Alamosa, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs,

Denver and Colorado Springs starting in August to find a coupon good for $2 off of gate admission.

American Heroes Day, presented Black Hills Energy

Sunday, August 28

All military personnel and first responders, with proof of affiliation, may take advantage of the daily gate admission discount. Plus, rodeo tickets will also be available for $7, with gate admission included. Look for the Black Hills Energy ad for a $2 gate admission discount for all.

Girls Night Out

Monday, August 29

For $25, you get 2 rodeo tickets, which include gate admission and 2 beverages (must be redeemed at the Grandstand). Drinks can be anything–margarita, Budweiser, water, or Coca-Cola. That’s a saving of as much as 50 percent!

Loaf ‘N Jug Discount Days

Monday thru Thursday

Celebrate the end of summer with this spectacular special. Buy a coupon for a discounted State Fair gate admission ticket for $5 at any participating Loaf ‘N Jug store. The ticket is good Monday thru Thursday and Labor Day.

Loaf ‘N Jug Super Mondays

Monday, August 29 and Monday, September 5

Pick up coupons for buy-one-get-one-free gate admission and carnival wristbands at Southern Colorado Loaf ‘N Jug Stores any time after August 1. While supplies last.

Coca-Cola $2 Tuesday, presented by KOAA 5

Tuesday, August 30

Admission to the Fair, carnival rides, and rodeo tickets are only $2 each. This is a great way to check out the rodeo, the original extreme sport. This special price expires at 9pm on August 30.

Colorado Springs Day

Wednesday, August 31

Buy one admission, get one free! Coupons will be printed in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

The Colorado State Fair runs August 26 – September 5, 2016. For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com.

Colorado’s Strangest Roadside Attractions

by Callie Helm - Aug 8, 2016

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If you’re in the mood for a weekend road trip with the family, Colorado will never disappoint your adventurous spirit. Obviously our state has much to offer in scenic beauty, with views of the Rocky Mountains visible at almost every turn, but there is also plenty of weirdness to behold! We’ve put together a fun list of Colorado’s strangest road side attractions, that are worth the drive if only for the novelty of them and a fun picture! So pack up the family and head out to some of these strange attractions!

1. Mike the Headless Chicken (Fruita, CO)

Once upon a time, there was a chicken who actually lived two years without his head from 1945 – 1947…or so the story goes. And you can visit this spectacular memorial to Mike the headless chicken in downtown Fruita. Because, why not??

2. Largest Fork in America (Creede, CO)

Weighing in at more than 600 pounds, you won’t find a larger “fork in the road” than this one located in Creede, CO. Makes for a very unique photo opp!

3. UFO Watchtower (Saguache County)

If you’re in the mood for alien hunting, this is the spot for you. This UFO friendly watchtower located just north of Hooper, CO promises no light pollution which is great for stargazing and UFO sightings….

4. Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum (Eaton, CO)

It’s hard to believe there’s a museum solely dedicated to antique washing machines, but if that’s your thing, it’s your lucky day! Lee Maxwell is an expert and is always excited to share his collection (and knowledge) of washing machines with all those who will visit.

5. Cano’s Castle (Antonito, CO)

Said to be inspired by Marijuana and Jesus, Cano’s castle is made primarily of beer cans and recycled materials. No one lives in the structure. Cano lives in a trailer across the street, but says the castle belongs to Jesus.

6. St. Elmo’s Ghost Town & Chipmunks (Nathrop, CO)

Because what doesn’t go together more than a good ol’ fashioned Ghost Town with chubby chipmunks running around that you can feed?! This is a real Colorado ghost town abandoned in the 1920’s after the decline of the mining industry. It’s one of the best preserved ghost towns in Colorado with several buildings, and yes, there are chipmunks that inhabit the nearby railroad ties, and you are welcome to feed them sunflower seeds that are for purchase at the local store.

Bat Walks at Garden of the Gods

by Callie Helm - Aug 1, 2016

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There’s still plenty of Summer left to enjoy the mild evenings with family! How about a weeknight adventure with bats? It may not be for everyone, but for the outdoor or animal enthusiast in your family, it can be quite the exciting experience!

Beginning in August, take a “Bat Walk” at Garden of the Gods Park every Tuesday evening!

The dates will be : August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th

Garden of the Gods is offering an adventurous way to spend your Tuesday nights. Join volunteer naturalist and bat expert Jeanne McElderry for an evening encounter with this fascinating Summer Park resident.

Meet at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center Red Rocks Room at 6:30pm for an educational preview, then proceed to the Garden to view the nightly flight. This enriching program is one of the most popular during the summer months, and best of all it’s FREE!.

Dress for the weather, bring water and a flashlight, and wear sturdy shoes. Recommended for ages 5 and up. No pets or strollers please. Tuesdays 6:30 pm through August 30.

(Reservations required, please call 219-0108)

Location : Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center – upper level – Red Rocks Room

For more info click HERE.

Review: YayLabs! Ice Cream Ball

by Callie Helm - Jul 21, 2016

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What’s more fun than tossing a ball around on a warm Summer’s day? How about tossing a ball around while it makes ice cream for you?? Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, ice cream balls are actually a thing now, and a super fun way to make homemade ice cream! The idea is you throw the ingredients inside a ball, and as the kids kick, throw and roll it… you eventually end up with homemade ice cream for everyone!

But, do they actually work?

Well, we decided to give it a try to see for ourselves, and the results were surprisingly fun!

The ball we used is called the YayLabs!™ Ice Cream Ball™….and you can buy it on Amazon.com or locally at Sportsman’s and REI. They retail for around $44 and come in pink or blue.

I love that you don’t need electricity at all, so the ball is perfect to take along camping or to BBQs and picnics. You just add ice and rock salt in one end and ice cream mix in the other end. Then, have fun shaking it, passing it, or rolling it around for 30 minutes. (This is where kids come in handy!) The ice cream mix can be as simple as cream, sugar, and vanilla or you can try a more adventurous flavor from the included recipe list, use Flavor Fountain flavorings, or make up your own concoction. The Ice Cream Ball is lightweight, portable, and easy to clean which is a plus.

We added Oreos to our mix, and it was honestly the BEST ice cream! So creamy and flavorful, and the kids had fun using their soccer skills to make it.

We give YayLabs!™ Ice Cream Ball™ a thumbs up, and will be using it a lot more this summer to make our own ice cream! Give it a try!

Watch another moms YouTube video review below!

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