Tag Archives: arcade

Fun at the Arcade

Most of the time I want family outings to have some educational moments. Today though we took our change jar and went to play at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. They have rooms and rooms of games. Some are very old and some are very up to date and modern. Some of the old games only cost a nickel or a dime. There’s an “English Football” game that is not electronic at all but has entirely mechanical works. And it costs a penny to play! One of my sons had great fun scoring goal after goal on me. We had … Continue reading →

Portland, OR: Ground Kontrol

Around the corner from Backspace is The City of Roses’ favorite arcade, Ground Kontrol. It’s a huge collection of classic pinball and arcade games. What a find! Eons ago, when I was in high school, every Friday night my sister and I would go hang out at The Castle. Miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, rides, and, of course, a huge arcade to eat your quarters. We’d take our money and save the last quarter. After we’d spent the rest, we took that last quarter and headed over to Eight Ball Deluxe, our favorite pinball machine. We knew we’d be able … Continue reading →

Portland, OR: Backspace

We make frequent trips to Portland, sometimes for a cultural activity and other times just to play. It was on one of these play trips that we discovered Backspace. They bill themselves as Portland’s “hip, uncool place”. It’s a 4000 s.f. space that reminds me of the beatniks of old. Yes, this conservative, Bush-loving, gun toting Christian mama likes a hotbed of insurgent thought. I just look past the anti-W stickers, the slogans of disillusioned youth, and the propaganda of the left, knowing that as they grow and have families, they’ll recognize the error of their ways ;-). Seriously, though, … Continue reading →