Sunday, June 10, 2007
Road Trip
After our streak of bad luck in Denver, we decided it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get away from the city. We ended up retracing Peter's route back to Steamboat Springs yesterday. Though I've lived in Colorado for something like 7 years cumulatively, I've never been there before. I was game for the getaway so we grabbed the keys to the KIA rental and headed out after our now routine visit to BMW of Denver. Finally, a road trip! Not exactly what we had in mind 7 months ago, but we figured what the hell.
We stopped in Winter Park for a bite at Denos Mountain Bistro off the main road and made quick friends with the restaurant's manager, Edie (Edith). She came back to our table with her senior yearbook from 1961 and told us about a recent surprise visit from her Vermont classmate Karen. After decades of not having seen each other, she said their reunion was as if no time had passed. That's how it is with friends.
When we made it to Steamboat, we drove through the town, circled back and stopped at a Safeway to pick up Starbucks. No surprise there. The weather was sunny and warm so we sat at the tables outside and chatted as we drank our lattes. This was the very location from where Peter sent a text on Tuesday saying he was stopping for a bit because he was beat after riding 400 miles. After chilling, we checked into a couple of rooms at the Holiday Inn. I just wanted to sit in a hot tub, but when I got to my room, I just crashed. I was still needing rest from my accident.
An Italian restaurant was recommended, so we drove into town for a late dinner after I got up from my nap. We closed down the restaurant/bar after two well-needed bottles of wine. In the morning, I got a call from Peter saying he was going to the pool and hot tub and to meet him there. I was groggy so I was agreeable to get off the phone. I went back to sleep for a bit and eventually made it to the hot tub, though Peter had already left. I wasn't thinking and stepped in before taking off my shirt. Doh! It must've taken 10 minutes to remove it when I got back to my room. It felt like I was attempting a Houdini trick with how tightly my shirt clung to me. I needed to shower and pack up. Just then there was knocking at my door. It was Housekeeping. I had missed the 11 a.m. checkout. I haven't had a watch since the accident, so my sense of time has been off. I called the front desk and asked for a late checkout. We ended up leaving around 11:30.
On the drive home, my iPod had shuffled to Kenny Rogers. Turns out Peter likes Kenny Rogers, too, so he cranked it up to sing along...to Dolly Parton's lines. It was the gayest thing - two straight guys rocking out to 80's country love songs. But it was fun and it sure beats "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall".
We made it home with time to spare for a video diary. After the packing was complete, we drove to the airport and talked about making Seattle home for me again. It has crossed my mind many times, but I don't know just yet. At the very least, I'm sure I'll ride out there again someday...that is, if I ever make it safely out of Denver.
We stopped in Winter Park for a bite at Denos Mountain Bistro off the main road and made quick friends with the restaurant's manager, Edie (Edith). She came back to our table with her senior yearbook from 1961 and told us about a recent surprise visit from her Vermont classmate Karen. After decades of not having seen each other, she said their reunion was as if no time had passed. That's how it is with friends.
When we made it to Steamboat, we drove through the town, circled back and stopped at a Safeway to pick up Starbucks. No surprise there. The weather was sunny and warm so we sat at the tables outside and chatted as we drank our lattes. This was the very location from where Peter sent a text on Tuesday saying he was stopping for a bit because he was beat after riding 400 miles. After chilling, we checked into a couple of rooms at the Holiday Inn. I just wanted to sit in a hot tub, but when I got to my room, I just crashed. I was still needing rest from my accident.
An Italian restaurant was recommended, so we drove into town for a late dinner after I got up from my nap. We closed down the restaurant/bar after two well-needed bottles of wine. In the morning, I got a call from Peter saying he was going to the pool and hot tub and to meet him there. I was groggy so I was agreeable to get off the phone. I went back to sleep for a bit and eventually made it to the hot tub, though Peter had already left. I wasn't thinking and stepped in before taking off my shirt. Doh! It must've taken 10 minutes to remove it when I got back to my room. It felt like I was attempting a Houdini trick with how tightly my shirt clung to me. I needed to shower and pack up. Just then there was knocking at my door. It was Housekeeping. I had missed the 11 a.m. checkout. I haven't had a watch since the accident, so my sense of time has been off. I called the front desk and asked for a late checkout. We ended up leaving around 11:30.
On the drive home, my iPod had shuffled to Kenny Rogers. Turns out Peter likes Kenny Rogers, too, so he cranked it up to sing along...to Dolly Parton's lines. It was the gayest thing - two straight guys rocking out to 80's country love songs. But it was fun and it sure beats "100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall".
We made it home with time to spare for a video diary. After the packing was complete, we drove to the airport and talked about making Seattle home for me again. It has crossed my mind many times, but I don't know just yet. At the very least, I'm sure I'll ride out there again someday...that is, if I ever make it safely out of Denver.
Labels: friends, starbucks, Steamboat Springs
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