September 30, 2022 | CULTURE | By Grace Cutler
Taos, Albuquerque, Denver, Boulder, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs… the possibilities seem endless. Camping, backpacking, cliff jumping, spelunking, you name it.
All of the above are potential responses when asking a CC student what they do over Block Break. But for some, those options simply aren’t feasible for a variety of reasons. Still, there are a number of things to do in and around Colorado Springs and CC’s campus to spruce up your Block Break.
Just take my Block Break as an example. I stayed local for this Block Break and ended up discovering new hiking, eating, and studying spots.
To start off my Block Break, I hiked Mt. Cutler in the nearby Cheyenne Canyon. It’s a short, beautiful hike with views of the Colorado Springs valley and won’t take up much of your day. Shortly after, I embarked on a longer, more strenuous, but very rewarding hike to the top of Mt. Raspberry near Divide, Colo. With panoramic views, beautiful blue skies, and Starbucks afterwards, I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Finally, to round out a Block Break of local hiking, the next day I did the grueling, yet rewarding, Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs.
My friend and I decided on these hikes for various reasons, but mostly because the weather was gorgeous, which paved the way for incredible hikes and even better pictures.
I also had some time to explore downtown Colorado Springs’ coffee shops, bookstores, study spots, and more. Poor Richard’s bookstore and restaurant is a new favorite of mine, as well as Tattered Cover. In terms of food, I always highly recommend the Denver Biscuit Company or Josh and John’s Ice Cream.
In the end, Block Break is your time to do whatever you please. It can feel isolating to be on campus when it seems like everyone else is leaving. But it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes that time alone or with a few close friends can lead to the greatest self-discoveries.