“So, the trip takes us from Boulder to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Now, this is one of our longer stops—mostly because we actually know people there. And hey, knowing people? Pretty handy when you need a mailing address for those Amazon packages. Seriously, my buddy Roland claims we practically paved a new path up his walkway with all those deliveries. But hey, I mean, he might be exaggerating. But also, he might not be.

So, Colorado Springs. Now, I’ve been playing soccer in a tournament out in Las Vegas for, oh, a decade or so before that whole pandemic thing, and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the top-tier players from Colorado Springs. And by “top-tier,” I mean, yeah, their talent on the field might be, uh, lacking, but what they lack in soccer skills, they make up for in… interesting personalities. Roland, Ron, Eric, Ken, Tim—the whole gang, really. So naturally, I figured I’d say hello to the guys, maybe even get in a game or two.

Day One – Friday: The Calm before the storm!

Arrive, set up, relax, and let the boys know I’m here. A nice, calm day.

Day Two – Saturday – Straight into the Fire!

The itinerary? Classic: hit up a local tavern, grab a drink or two, then go watch their professional (USL) team, the Switchbacks. Now, I don’t know if you’ve seen a soccer ref, but they’re pretty much the same everywhere. In other words, awful. The stadium and atmosphere was incredible, really had me thinking that we need to push harder for this in Saskatoon. It was a great experience – Thanks Eric, Roland and who ever it was that gave me their ticket.

Meanwhile, my wife, Tracy, decides to stay back at the RV with the pups, and, well, that turns out to be the best decision of the trip. So, I get a text right after the game—midway through another round of drinks, mind you. It’s Tracy, and she’s like, ‘No rush, just had a small fire, no power, all good. Talk tomorrow.’ So, apparently, our electrical panel shorted out and caught fire. Luckily, Tracy was there to catch it and flipped the breaker before it turned into, you know, a full-on campfire. So glad she stayed back with the dogs, so Thank God, or for that matter Tracy!

Day Three – Sunday: Soccer Game Anyone?

So, I sign up to play a little footy with Colorado Arsenal. I mean, the electrical panel can wait, right? (Thanks, Tracy!) Now, they tell me the altitude here is 6,600 feet, and I’m thinking, ‘Nah, what’s a few thousand feet between friends?’ Turns out, my lungs had other thoughts. I was wheezing like – well more than I usually wheeze, and I don’t even smoke. Let’s just say I didn’t exactly represent the Saskatoon soccer scene that day. But hey, they were going out for beers, so I figured I’d make up for it there…until I got the call to come back and, you know, handle the fire hazard situation back at the RV. One of us really needs to re-evaluate their priorities. Anyway, Three-and-a-half hours later, and the RV is rewired and better than new. New hat added – resident electrician.

Day Four – Monday: Relax and Reflect

Recap time. Groceries, a little tour of town. Colorado Springs really is a beautiful place. Highly recommend it—put it on the list.

Day Five – Tuesday: 
Anyone for another game of footy

Now, it really seems like I was leaving Tracy to look after the dogs and fend for herself a lot here, but in actuality, that is pretty accurate. But… she was ok with it. I think she may have enjoyed her alone time, not sure how. I mean , who wouldn’t want to be around me 24-7 for 8 months? Right? Anyway, back to me, this was an evening game and it was on an indoor field which I had convinced myself would take away the elevation issue. In all honesty, I must have been getting used to the elevation as my game was only half as bad as the first one. I even managed a goal in this one. The event was probably was splattered all over the Colorado Springs gazette – I was certain there would be photographers all over me in the parking lot. (Insert dismay here.) Switchbacks, I’m available and my transfer fee is cheap.

Day Six – Wednesday: Big Hump Day

Given that Roland had a job and couldn’t just tour us around or find me soccer games to play everyday we needed something else to occupy my time and give Tracy some more much needed alone time. Today was the big climb day. We had been planning and looking forward to this day for months. The Manitou Incline. I was looking forward to it for the challenge and Tracy was looking forward to it cause she knew I didn’t like heights and she had just updated my life insurance. So with those things in mind, off I went for a morning climb of 2744 steps straight up. And at times, it felt like it was just that…straight up! Here are some their facts: https://manitousprings.org/where-to-play/manitou-incline/#Facts, and a couple of mine: glad I did it, never again and depends might have been a good idea!  I made it to the top! Took a few photos for proof and then walked down the mountain through incredibly scenic switchback trails. From there I walked in to Manitou Springs and called Tracy to meet for lunch – should have packed some salt. (If you know you know). Maybe playing a couple games before this wasn’t this best idea!

Day Seven – Thursday – Wonder what Tracy is up to?

During my climb yesterday Tracy had found a cool place called Red Rock Canyon Free Space, so we spent the day touring that and the Valley of the Gods. Both Spectacular. As well, we went for a visit to the Cliff Dwellings that was again fantastic. I think we could have spent another week here with so many more amazing sites to see. We only scratched the surface —some of us higher surfaces than others but we aren’t in a competition here. That evening we invited Roland and his wife Scarlett out to the RV for supper and thank them for everything all week. Im sure Scarlet saw Roland as much as Tracy saw me. They both seemed very happy in spite of that… Any way great visit with some truly beautiful people.

Day Eight: More Sights

Our last day, we revisited Red Rock Canyon and Old Colorado City. There’s so much to see here. It’s no wonder people come and just…stay. Our final night in town, we had dinner with the Cerezo family. Incredible food: beef asada, roasted peppers, salsa, and get this—jello with cottage cheese instead of marshmallows. Sounds weird, but wow, don’t knock it till you try it. The dinner was amazing! Great visit with the Cerezo family, brothers, children friends and of course the soccer family. They really did remind me of my own family back home – just not as pasty white! Thanks to all! We had an amazing time and will see the soccer family in a week for the tournament in Arizona!

Day 9: Thought we were leaving ..

So all that behind us and a deadline to get to Arizona we got packed up, loaded the car and bid farewell to Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs was not that quick to bid farewell in return. Just as we were leaving the campsite Tracy noticed fluid on the ground where we were parked and although the gauges read cool the engine was hot and leaking. But from where? So after getting gas we babied the RV back to the RV resort as it had a quiet street where we (I) could assess the damage and see if the trip would commence or if we too, like many before us would never leave Colorado Springs. So anyway, underneath we go and then inside the RV remove the engine cover and dig in…torn rad hose. So drop the car and head to O’Reillys Automotive for parts. Hour and a half later we are ready to go! This gives Roland just enough time to fly over with our one last Amazon Delivery! It was meant to be! New Hat – Resident Mechanic!

Just an aside: Moving at neutral speed

So while working on the RV, there is a car parked a couple car lengths in front of us with the car running. After some time a young man musters up the courage to approach me and asks if I know how to drive a standard. He had just bought a new car and to save what he thought was a lot of money he opted for the standard transmission and had no idea how to drive one. I asked how he managed to get it here and he said, I just drove in neutral – and I said, “Uh no you didn’t” he responded yeah but you can only go so fast in neutral. To which I responded, “If you could go at any speed in neutral you would have to give it a new name” but I digress. I think he would have loved for me to take him for driving lessons but settled for me explaining how a clutch and gears work. He did say he wished people would have told it to him that way before as it makes so much more sense. Any way, back to the car and away he did squeal, jump, bang and drive away. I think his savings might get used but family quickly! Anyway thought that was worth mentioning. New Hat – Driving Instructor!

And that’s Colorado Springs: great friends, great views, a small fire, and a whole lot of steps up a mountain. Definitely a place worth seeing.We stay so long you would swear we wearing cruising in Neutral.