Colorado/New Mexico Vacation - 2015

This latest adventure is my somewhat-annual trip to Colorado and New Mexico to catch up with old friends, with the possibility of meeting new ones. I start in Denver and work my way south to various destinations. Some are for sightseeing, others are for riding trains, which is no surprise to anyone that knows me. Although I love Houston and my job, it's becoming more and more necessary for me to escape to remote destinations...ones I've been to before, as well as news ones I hope to encounter. It's been a tough year with the passing of my mom, but it's also been a wonderful year for many reasons. Life, with it's changes, adventures and unknowns, continue to excite me and maintain my positive outlook on the world around me.

With that being said, and my already missing Lawrence and our dog Desiree, let the adventure begin:

Day 1 - Friday, September 25th

11:45 am - Here I sit at the terminal at Hobby Airport waiting for my flight to board for Denver. I got up early and packed some warm clothes as it's getting into the 30's where I'm heading, and got all my camera gear packed as well. Thanks to my friends and co-workers at the police department's helicopter division here at the airport, I was able to park my car there and get a ride to the terminal. In a police car. Why not arrive in style! At least I didn't have to ride in the backseat, but my luggage did.

I got through security in no time and then stopped for some lunch. Eating at the airport is like eating at a ballpark...two tacos with rice and a drink...$20. Being a captive audience is definitely to their advantage.

I was number 39 to board the plane, which is wonderful for seat selection. It costs a few bucks more, but it's worth it. I got my aisle seat, and pretty soon a nice young lady arrives with her 2-year-old to sit next to me. This will possibly turn into the 2-hour Screaming Baby Express pretty quickly. I might slip the child a Dramamine in her sippy cup.

If I have any sanity left when I arrive in Denver in two hours, it will be a good thing. Doors are closing...gotta go.

1:45pm (Mountain Time) - A smooth flight, and right on time into Denver. Surprisingly, the 2-year-old was very quiet, other than the usual banter with her mother concerning a banana and Mickey Mouse, and some cute singing. No screaming, at least not from her. A few rows up it was a different story. Although they were a few rows up, it's still ear shattering whilst inside a metal tube. I should have just started chunking Dramamine up there. Anonymously, of course.

The weather in Denver is amazing as always. Sunny and mid-70's with low humidity. It's a little hazy making it difficult to see the Rocky Mountains, but I know they're there. It's supposed to be around 50 degrees tonight. Awesome!

I'm on the shuttle to the rental car lot. Let's see if the Bentley (Toyota or equivalent) is ready for me.

3:45pm - It took over an hour to get through the line at the rental car place. Their computers were messed up and there were a lot of irritated customers, understandably. I wasn't one of them. I understand these things happen, and I felt sorry for the employees. Besides, I do the same thing at my job, and now I'm on vacation and not in any hurry, so I'm chillin'. As for the car, I got a bright red Hyundai Elantra. It has 4800 miles on it, rides like a rock, is ergonomically uncomfortable, and has the pickup of a turtle. I now remember why I have driven Hondas for 30+ years, and I miss mine already.

I'm staying the next two nights with my newly-married friends Christopher and Rob here in Denver. I'm waiting for Christopher at the subdivision where they are building a new house, then we'll head to their apartment and settle in. I have no idea what plans we have for dinner tonight, but I know a good German restaurant close by in Aurora. There are no good German restaurants in Houston, so I've been craving it! I'll try and convince them.

8:30pm - We actually did try to go to Helga's for German food, but it was Octoberfest, and the wait was long. We decided to go to a close-by Greek restaurant instead and it was quite good. We'll try Helga's for lunch tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow....I have no idea what the plans are, but since I'm on vacation, I don't really care. I just want to relax and enjoy the beautiful, low humidity weather and the view of the mountains.