11/03/2009

Every year, Autumn is when we start our big projects. This is our 13th year of innkeeping, and many of those years have been spent in building the inn, landscaping, planting flower beds and developing our wedding areas.We are part of the historic Briarhurst property which includes a charming carriage house built in 1873. Dr. Wiliam Bell was one of the founders of Manitou Springs, and this utilitarian structure reflects the architecture of his original house.

It was always our intent to restore the carriage house to its former glory, and now is the time!

Gothic revival architure makes this building very interesting. Over its 136 years, several other builders have added to the unusual features – gables in the loft, round windows over horse stall areas and two distinctive truncated cross stained glass windows by the front doors.

Over the years, many guests have asked if the carriage house is a chapel. Since there aren’t many barns with stained glass windows, the question was a reasonable one to ask. At any rate, we thank those guest for planting the seed of an idea to create a Chapel at Blue Skies. The innkeepers will live upstairs, and weddings will be held downstairs. Here is how the structure looked when we started construction two months ago.

Welcome! Please see the “About” page for more info on who we are and what we do. We’re Sally & Mike, innkeepers of Blue Skies Inn in Manitou Springs, Colorado, situated at the base of Pikes Peak. That’s Pikes Peak pictured at the top in a Fall photo taken from our driveway. We’re located on 2.5 acres of land on Fountain Creek just off Manitou Avenue, though the actual B&B buildings are about a football field away from the avenue in a little scrub oak forest. We’re all about handpainted, themed suites and gardens.

Winter is hard on Sally – gardeners don’t react well to snow. Right now, we’re eagerly waiting for Spring. But the snowdrops are up (see below), and we’re encouraged. We expect our first crocuses (crocusi?) in about ten days. Feel free to add comments.

Best Wishes,

    Sally& Mike, Innkeepers

    Blue Skies Inn

    Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829

    (800) 398-7949

    (719) 685-3899