Time for something different? Published April 26, 2011 By Col. Russell Wilson and John Geerdes CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- It is really easy to get caught up, even overwhelmed, with work and the challenges life sometimes puts in front of us. With the closure of every assignment and move to a new location, I've always been left thinking I should have gotten out to see more. With the encouragement of my family, I've generally done pretty well. Nonetheless, come packing time, I find myself ticking off the things I didn't do. I sincerely hope you make time to get away from the "toil" to refresh and to remind yourself why the work we do is so important. Actually, I intend to help a little if you will permit me. I wanted to share a few distractions that you might consider taking advantage of right on our doorstep here in this amazing place called Colorado. I'm guessing most of you are aware of the phenomenal array of activities and adventures the Outdoor Recreation folks offer. If you have never paid them a visit, you really should. I highly recommend their whitewater rafting trips. Likewise, the base ITT office can help plan adventures suitable for the individual, groups of friends or even families. Now, many of you may not be aware of some true gems right in our proverbial backyard: Colorado State Parks. My co-commander, John Geerdes, is the Southeast Region Manager for Colorado State Parks, and I've asked him to provide a few details on the great parks and programs they have which, while they are close, can transport you to another world. Colorado State Parks offer many unique, inexpensive getaways for military families in the Pikes Peak Region. State parks throughout Colorado serve more than 12 million visitors a year, but you can still find a quiet place to relax and enjoy your down time as a family. Try one of these three state parks - all within an hour of Colorado Springs: Cheyenne Mountain State Park, located adjacent to Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, this is Colorado's newest state park. In this park, visitors can meander and explore amidst nature's diversity with prairie-to-peak ecosystems and 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. Visitors will see that mule deer, elk and wild turkeys are plentiful in the park. The visitor center has park maps of the Cheyenne Mountain has 1,680 acres to explore. The park offers 61 campsites including a mixture of RV and tent sites and campsites are $26 for a full hook-up RV site and $18 per night for a tent site. Reservations for campsites can be made as far ahead as six months in advance by calling 800-678-2267. There also is an Outdoor Pavilion Event Facility, which will accommodate up to 200 people, complete with pavilion, restrooms and parking. Mueller State Park, located 35 west of Colorado Springs, between the small towns of Divide and Cripple Creek, offers 55 miles of trails that provide a 5,000-acre playground for the hiker, mountain biker, equestrian and wildlife watcher. A popular watchable wildlife area, Mueller is home to elk, black bear, hawks and mule deer. The visitor center is located atop Big View Overlook and features exhibits emphasizing the park's natural habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage. Three trailheads connect you to short family-friendly or long-connecting hikes. Don't forget to pick up a trail map. Mueller also has two options to stay overnight. There are 132 campsites in the park. The park also has three cabins for rent year-round. Visitors are encouraged to dress in layers and be alert for quickly changing weather. Thunderstorms can move in rapidly. Reservations for campsites from Memorial Day to Labor Day are strongly recommended. Campsites range in price from $22 per night for an RV site to $18 per night for a walk-in tent site. An 11-site group campground can be rented for $242 per night. Cabin fees range from $140 a night for a two bedroom log cabin to $260 a night for a four bedroom cabin. Lake Pueblo State Park, located 45 minutes south of Colorado Springs, Lake Pueblo, is rated a fishing "hot spot" and provides more than 4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and almost 10,000 acres of land. The park includes two full-service marinas and a diversity of 412 campsites. Water recreation includes sailing, motor-boating, waterskiing, river tubing and prime fishing. Visitors can rent boats from either of the marinas. Land recreation includes hiking, biking, picnicking and diverse nature exploration. Colorado State Parks offer exceptional settings for renewal of the human spirit. Check it out online before you go at www.parks.state.co.us. So there you have it. The weather is turning nice, really nice; time to reward all your hard work -- go explore.