Playing hooky

Andy takes a municipality-sponsored shot ... of mineral water!

I'll admit it: I played hooky for the day. 

After 17 weeks of hard training, I just didn't feel like treading six miles today. (I'll do it tomorrow on what is listed by the trainers as my "rest" day instead.)

Instead, Andy and I had our first "us" day in a long time. He's been working super long hours, six days a week, and on the Sunday that we do have off together, we've been taking these ridiculously long walks. Not that I mind, necessarily, given that we're climbing mountains and hiking through the Front Range; but it was nice to have a day just to relax a little bit. 

Sampling the mineral water from Seven Springs. Cheers!

So we only walked two miles instead. 

We went to my favorite city in the area, Manitou Springs. It got its name, and its early fame, from the mineral springs that permeate the area. There are about 10 throughout the area that are now enshrined in various fountains. This is the really cool thing: The city convention and visitor's bureau has a guided tour that you can take of the different fountains, complete with little plastic shot glasses. Each spring fountain has a brief description of its water's unique properties and a detailed history. My favorite was Twin Spring, which is located on a pretty steep hill and tastes like soda water. (It would be great with gin, by the way. :-) 

The tour is definitely a fantastic, and completely free, way to see a cool little community.