Let’s Ramble

by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager Fall is absolutely magical in Colorado—but it’s also tantalizingly brief. With only about six weeks of peak autumn glory, the leaf-peeping frenzy starts early as people map out their golden aspen leaf treasure hunts across the state. For visitors to Colorado Springs, discovering the perfect fall spot…

by Asya L. Simons, Park Guide & School Programs Coordinator, Garden of the Gods Park Garden of the Gods Park and the Visitor and Nature Center are excited for the 31st year of school field trips to start this semester! For the fall 2025 semester our long-time School Programs Coordinator Bowen Gillings stepped down and…

by Jane Scanlon, Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, Above the Clouds Forest Bathing How would you answer this question: “When I connect with nature I feel _____.” Maybe your answer includes feelings like these: Relaxed. Alive. Focused. Less stressed. Energized. Grounded. Free. Curious. Like a kid again. Grateful. Joyful. Closer to God. These are…

by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager I spend my days guiding hikes through Garden of the Gods, and I thought I knew every inch of these red rocks. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Last month, I was standing at Siamese Twins, gazing south, when it struck me. Those big rock shapes in…

by Christina Haywood, Garden of the Gods Foundation Executive Director This year, we mark a powerful milestone, 30 years of stewardship, education, and preservation at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. Since its opening in 1995, the Visitor Center has welcomed people from every corner of the globe, drawing them into one…

by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager The best time to visit Garden of the Gods? When my kids were in high school, they discovered it was 6 AM with Dutch Bros coffee in hand, perched on a red rock watching the sunrise paint the formations gold. I learned it was during those stolen…

by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager When I first moved to Colorado, I assumed I had to become “outdoorsy” right away—complete with flannel shirt, hiking boots, a backpack full of granola bars. But I quickly realized I didn’t know the first thing about hiking Colorado trails. What even is a trailhead? How do…

by Melody Monberg, Hike for Life Operations Manager If you’ve walked any Colorado trail in summer, chances are you’ve seen signs that say things like “Beware of rattlesnakes” or “Bears active in the area.” Those signs can feel a little spooky—but truthfully? Wildlife is rarely the biggest concern. It’s the everyday stuff that can sneak…

by Elizabeth Borders, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site Lead Educator The Rock Ledge House’s 150th birthday party is Saturday, June 21, and we’re planning an event with something for everyone! While the Chambers lived here, they sold crackers and milk for 15 cents to visitors, and we’re bringing back this simple snack at the same…