Bright lights, small(ish) city ...

A lovely, well-lighted lane at the resort's West Entrance. The capitalization is theirs, not mine.

As of the 2007 census estimates, 376,427 people call Colorado Springs proper home. Not exactly a massive metroplex, but, as Andy puts it, "Not exactly small," either.

So suffice it to say that Colorado Springs is a lovely mid-sized town. Small enough to feel quaint while still being large enough to have its share of growing pains.

And it's own five-star resort.

The resort is called the Broadmoor. If you're not familiar with it, the Broadmoor is toted as being the longest-running five-star in the country. It spans 3,000 acres on the city's western side, part of it abuts Cheyenne Mountain. According to it's Web site, the resort features: "an award-winning spa; fitness center; two swimming pools; three outdoor hot tubs; ... six tennis courts with camps run by hall-of-fame member Dennis Ralston; children's programs; 24-hour room service; and 25 specialty retail shops." Every year the resort plays host to a USPGA Senior Open tournament on its three 18-hole golf courses.

In short, pretty nice digs.

This tree was amazing! Just one of hundreds that the Broadmoor landscapers caked in tiny white lights. Too bad the photographer (me) couldn't do it justice.

As it turns out, every Christmas they do something called "White Christmas." This is a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society of Southern Colorado as well as a really cool opportunity for them to drape their sprawling grounds in white holiday lights and play host to the city. It took more than 250,000 strands of lights to create the desired effect this year. You read that right: Strands. Not lights themselves. Doubtless there are millions of white twinkle lights sucking down power every night on this incredible display, but the folks at the hotel obviously can afford it.

Anyway, Andy and I went to check it out under the new blanket of snow. The effect, as you can see, is stunning.

Another gorgeous, tree-lined lane. The cool thing about White Christmas is, the grounds are usually off limits. During the holidays, however, they're open to whomever wants to stroll and enjoy their quarter-million-plus strands of lights.