Colorful Colorado Once Again

Colorado has always been one of my favorite places. It is a great coincidence that I have a son that lives in Colorado Springs. He moved here in 2002 when he elected to join the Active Duty Army shortly after the horrible events of 9/11/2001. No amount of convincing that he would be involved in a war and sent over seas would deter him from doing what he thought was his part in defending our great country.

Although he is now out of the Military, still a retired Disabled member of the 4th Infantry Division located here, having met his wife here and now their family lives on the front range outside of the city. We went to a Sports Bar, The Fox and Hound that has hosts the group Coloradans for Nebraska and watched the Cornhuskers win their Football game. With all the big screen tvs it was almost as good as being at the game! We had great seats!

Sunday was a day for reflection of the horrible events 10 years ago, and we flew our flag and watched the specials from New York City. We were awakened yesterday by the sounds of Bugles and Revoli...and then the sounds of gunfire across the Interstate on the gun range at Fort Carson. The result of those days 10 years ago, makes this country an entirely different place. I felt pretty safe going to Safeway...not because of the name, but the amount of 4th ID soldiers in the store at the same time! I have to get used to the large presence of soldiers every time we're here. It's wonderful to see all the dedication and sacrifice that they are making. We went to friends house for dinner Sunday evening and sat on the patio. It was wonderful to do that without it being 100 degrees, and sweat running down your back. They live in a very nice neighborhood by the Olympic Center and Broadmoor hotel and Olympic Ice Skating Museum. We felt pretty safe there too, in spite of the stories Ken was telling us about the large black bear that broke into his storage shed the other night, climbing through a window and trashed it. The fact that him and his wife were sitting on the very same patio and a large black bear waltzed up onto the front step and sat watching them have dinner...so he promptly threw a perrier water bottle at him and hit him square in the nose! The bear blustered at him and ran off! I would have been so gone! After all, Ken was mad that he trashed the little building! They always have bears and big cats in the trees in the back yard and in their trash.. the dogs always go crazy and let them know when they have company, so when the Molly the yellow lab that was snoozing at my feet suddenly got up and took off growling and barking, we promptly took leave to the car!

It was a great evening though, just not a fan of being there after dark! The weather is very pleasant and cool, it has clouded over and rained for two afternoons now and that is forcast for the remainder of the week. Not for sure when we will be leaving, but our next stop will be Santa Fe New Mexico. Just taking this adventure one day at a time and stirring the Jello frequently! Not much exciting but a great relief to be out of the heat.