Archives for October 2014

Go Rest On That High Mountain

By Susie October 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

We’d been back from America for 2 weeks when cousin Ron from Tennessee phoned to tell us the sad news that Linda had passed away. Everyone was shocked. Linda had clearly been unwell but she’d been upbeat and determined to recover, and the week we visited, she was hiring the kitchen and function room for the family’s big Christmas Eve celebrations.

Linda’s son Mike told us that she’d suffered a heart attack and her body had been simply too frail to withstand the trauma. Mike and his brothers had lost their mother and father on the very same day, 18 years apart.

We are both grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Linda, but at the same time it’s very sad that Linda and Stephanie didn’t have the time to get to know each other better.

We will always remember the excitement of that first meeting. Linda’s cheerfulness and determination and how on the ball she was despite her illness. As she said to Chris as he was trying to pull the wool “Mothers know everything”. We were also moved by the way her family pulled together to look after her, and her obvious pride as she spoke about each and every one of them.

Rest in peace Linda.

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Homeward Bound

By Susie October 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

We arrived at Denver airport in our chauffeur driven limousine – at least that’s what the driver of the Alamo shuttle bus told us 🙂 We were the only passengers on the bus, so perhaps he was right.

Once arrived our first order of business was to find a luggage trolley. There were luggage trolleys, but you had to rent them and it didn’t appear to be like the supermarkets where you put the pound’s deposit in to free your trolley and then get it back at the end. It looked like you had to put notes into the machine and then at the end, if you returned your trolley it gave you a quarter (25 cents) back. Big Deal. I’m from Yorkshire. I refuse to pay dollars to rent a trolley, so we wheeled our luggage.

Our second order of business was to decide what to do about the extra large cardboard box containing my new boots. We had discovered in the shop that they had such incredibly slippery leather soles. I could do quite a passable impersonation of Jayne Torvill skating round the carpet much to the amusement of our sales assistant. So wearing them didn’t look like the most sensible option if we wanted avoid a second trip to ER and to catch our flight instead.

We found a bench and proceeded to repack. Fortunately my carry on bag was just large enough to accommodate the boots providing I stuffed them with all the clothes I already had in the bag. And then the collapsed box, fitted in Stephanie’s suitcase with barely a millimetre to spare. Excellent.

Until we got to the bag drop. Then to our surprise and slight dismay we discovered that Stephanie’s suitcase was 27.4 Kg and mine was 22.7. The weight allowance per bag is usually 23 Kg and if you’re over that, they get the big fines out.

However, the lady on the BA baggage desk said that they give you an extra 2 kilos allowance for the return journey. So all we had to do was to repack (again) and even out the weight between our 2 cases and we would be fine.

So having repacked for the second time, we sneaked in at about half a pound under the limit for each bag (although when we collected the bags at Heathrow they were both marked up with heavy bag/extra charge stickers, but we escaped without incident). And then it was onwards to security.

We stared down in horror from the balcony at the huge queue for security. The sea of football shirts told us that it was extra long because of the Denver Bronco’s game which had recently finished. But joining the queue we were very pleasantly surprised that we kept moving the whole time. The well oiled machine which was their security operation seemed to work like clockwork. Apart from my trousers failing the scanner and having to be investigated by the officer on the desk we were through (I was quite relieved it wasn’t a more intensive search as the marigold gloves I’d bought to do the washing up in our suite were safely in my suitcase).

Preparing our Plane at Denver

There was a huge queue at all the food outlets, and we decided that a sandwich would probably tide us over until dinner on the plane. So I went off in search of the only cold food outlet in the place right at the far end of the building. It turned out to be a kiosk, with sub rolls with only 2 types of filling, Italian or turkey and Swiss cheese. As one lady was complaining that there were no prices on anything, I did think that probably meant that they were expensive. $7.60 for what turned out the be half a sub roll, cut in 2 and squished together tightly with cling film. It wasn’t even very nice. It was definitely an occasion to take your own sandwiches. But then I’d lost my appetite as we arrived at the airport, so really it was only for Stephanie.

While Stephanie wolfed down the roll (it had been a long time since breakfast) and I nibbled halfheartedly on a corner we watched the maintenance man open the cockpit windows and clean them with a squeegee. I had no idea that the cockpit windows even opened!

A while later, as they announced the boarding order, it was time for my second Valium and then we were off…

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Cowboy Boots

By Susie October 8, 2014 Leave a Comment

We’d organised a late checkout from out hotel room. Which was just as well. Our flight left at 20:50 and we had been told to clear security by 19:30. Once we were homeless we had to entertain ourselves, and find restrooms (toilets), until it was time to hand back our hire car and for me to take my first valium.

Packing was tricky. As we’d been out of action for most of the last week, we didn’t seem to have bought much in the way of souvenirs but despite that I thought it would be touch and go whether or not we would manage to get everything into our two suitcases. With a lot of squeezing and pummelling we just about managed to get everything to fit. We had also been partially self catering for the past week so there was a lot of stuff left over which I hope the cleaners might have found a home for.

So what to do next? One of the ways America wins over the other countries we’ve been to is that most of the shops have restrooms. So we went for the nearest big shop, a return visit to Sheplers western outfitters, where we whiled away a pleasant hour trying on hats and boots. And finally, after much deliberation, we succumbed to temptation and Stephanie bought me a very impressive pair of cowboy boots. In Italian leather. And in a very large box…

I guess I could have worn them on the plane, but I just didn’t think that a 9 hour flight, plus hours of waiting around time was the perfect occasion to break in a new pair of boots – especially since I’m really a trainers kind of person.

Sunset on our Last Night in Denver

We pondered the vexing question of how to expand further our already bursting luggage as we made a final trip to Golfsmith where they had an even better selection of women’s clothes than in Colorado Springs. This time I didn’t dare try anything on! It was probably fortunate that they didn’t have any of the items we specifically went in there to look for. Although I was sorely tempted by the most wonderful, garishly coloured golf shirt with no collar which I’m almost certain would have got me thrown of my home course for dress code violation.

One last stop for Stephanie at the Dress Barn where she (again, perhaps fortunately) failed to find a suit or something similar for work and then it was time to go and hand back our week’s trusty steed.

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St Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast

By Susie October 7, 2014 Leave a Comment

And so the last day of our American denture dawned, and as we’d come to expect it was another beautiful, sunny day. As we were both feeling OK for a change we decided that we should celebrate by going out for breakfast. Something we’d been meaning to do since the very start of the holidays. And what better place to go than just across the road, to Trip Advisor’s top rated restaurant in the area, “The Original Pancake House“.

We arrived there at 8.20am, and the queue for tables had already spilled out of the building (and it was not a small building!) and people were perched on the benches outside. So we announced ourselves to the reception staff and joined a bench to wait for a table, it should be about 20 minutes they said.

As we were waiting we were joined by a lady who had clearly been there before. Yesterday in fact, as she was in town from Iowa for the Denver Broncos football game. The food she said was excellent, and the portions very generous, and yesterday they’d waited an hour and twenty minutes for a table!

Pancakes with everything

We chatted for a few minutes until, on cue, after 20 minutes the announcement over the tannoy into our waiting area, “Susie, party of 2, your table is available”.

We were seated in the outside seating area which was warmed by such an effective heater that it felt like we were being lightly grilled and might possibly be served as an appetiser. Fortunately, as the sun came round the heating got switched off and we were able to fully enjoy our breakfast. Stephanie had corned beef hash, served with 2 eggs, cooked to her specification. This of course came with 3 original buttermilk pancakes. I was still slightly below par so had a small plate, which was bacon served with 3 pancakes. On the table there was a large jug of Maple syrup with which to liberally douse our pancakes.

The pancakes were without doubt the best I’ve ever eaten, light, fluffy and had a lovely flavour – masked slightly by the lashings of maple syrup :-). Apparently the Corned beef hash was very tasty as well (although not quite as tasty as the corned beef hash at our hotel in Colorado Springs). Neither of us managed to finish our meal, but I suspect under less buggy circumstances I might have just about managed to polish off a small plate.

We marvelled at the expertly skilled waiting staff who were clearly not allowed trays. Carrying 5 large full glasses of water at once, like plates standing them on their hands and up their arms without spilling them. Amazing. Our water glasses were constantly topped up and if we’d had coffee, as seems to be common in America, that would also have had free refills.

Queuing for breakfast – get there early!

As we left if was 9.50am and the queue for tables outside looked to be at least 3 times the size as when we arrived.

Of course, on further investigation, it turns out “The Original Pancake House” is a chain, so if you find one near you it may be well worth a visit – but get there early!

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A Sea of Cowboy Hats

By Susie October 6, 2014 Leave a Comment

The first order of business on Saturday was another trip to our now second favourite supermarket King Sooper, to pick up a few little necessaries and check with the pharmacy that valium and gastroenteritis medicine can be taken together for the journey home. They can, which was a big relief to both of us, as I don’t think Stephanie wanted to have the circulation cut off in her hand for the whole 9 hour journey.

It had turned out to be yet another beautiful day – in fact I don’t think there had been any other kind of day since we had arrived. Having already seen the centre of Denver, and done the major sights a week ago, we decided to go somewhere new, somewhere we don’t have in England. Our trip out for the afternoon was to Sheplers Western Store. Fine apparel for the country gentlemen and gentlewoman (I made that up, it’s cowboy and cowgirl clothes).

Annie carry your gun…

It was a huge store, with a vast array of the type of colourfully decorated clothes we used to see at line dances. There were hundreds of pairs of incredibly decorated boots, stetsons and most unusually for us, purses (handbags) with labels which pointed out the special “concealed carry” pockets for hiding your gun.

After much deliberation I bought the most amazingly bling steel tipped black belt and a fabulous black shirt with colourful embroidery across the shoulders and down the back. As Stephanie pointed out, I now just need the boots to go with them…

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Breakfast at Tiffanys

By Stephanie October 5, 2014 Leave a Comment

OK. Not breakfast exactly. Nor any meal to be honest. But we did go to Tiffany’s (briefly) with Susie chatting up the “minder” by the door.

After we’d checked into the hotel in Denver, we decided to go for a shopping experience and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center wasn’t very far away. Plenty of parking and what’s more, it was free (parked at the Oracle anyone?).

We had a wander round and had a brief look at clothes in Macy’s (just like Debenhams as far as I can see) but really, it was a ubiquitous, anonymous shopping centre which could have been anywhere in the world.

We did have a look round Tiffany’s. I think Susie wanted to be able to tell her mother that she’d been in the store. Obviously, the first thing we noticed was a complete lack of pricing. Oh well! Perhaps another day.

We also called into a shop called “Buckle” as Susie thought they might sell belt buckles. But no, it was your usual jeans boutique.

Quite unusually for a holiday, I haven’t bought myself any earrings – or a scarf. Just a pair of golf shoes and a golfing belt. Still, there’s still half a day and a lot of waiting around at the airport to go yet.

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Oxygen

By Stephanie October 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

And now for the continuation of the story of Linda and what happened when she ran out of oxygen.

We gave Linda a call on the Friday afternoon whilst at the Garden of the Gods to suggest we called by to say goodbye in person before heading back off to Denver. She said she’d be delighted to see us.

Well, once we got there, we heard the full story of what happened after Mike and Lynda spirited her away from the restaurant on Thursday evening.

As her oxygen cylinder was pretty much out, Mike and Lynda took her to the nearest fire station. Apparently the firefighters were about to set off to put out a trash fire but they decided her problem was more interesting and that another unit could deal with the call out!

As she can’t walk too far and didn’t have her mobility scooter with her, the firemen dragged out a wheeled office chair, sat her on that and then pushed her into the station. They gave her some oxygen while Mike took the car and dashed back to her apartment to collect a spare canister. It sounded like she quite enjoyed her visit with the firefighters – we teased her that it was a deliberate ploy just to be fussed over by a bunch of young men in uniform.

While we were there, we had a brief chat about our mutual parent and I learned something new. According to Linda, Cliff had had a girlfriend he never married, and that there was a son from that union. This means that I have (or had) a half brother somewhere! It seems that there is no way of tracking him down but it’s just another interesting little facet of the whole story.

We didn’t stay for long as she was still a little shaky from the events of the previous day. It just gave me a chance to say goodbye face to face.

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Yesterday

By Stephanie October 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Yesterday was our last day in Colorado Springs (I’m writing this Saturday morning).

Sunrise on the Rockies

We woke up with the dawn and a glimpse out of our window showed the sun really lighting up the Rockies. This prompted us to throw on some clothes, leap in the car and drive to the shopping centre car park opposite as this gave an uninterrupted view for some picture taking. The cloud base was pretty low but the sun in the east behind us gave the mountains a beautiful golden glow.

With the help of all her medicines, Susie was feeling a bit better and able to do a few things (although needed top up doses once they wore off). We arranged a late checkout from the hotel and headed out for a drive.

First up was a drive through Old Colorado Springs as this is where I had eaten with Linda, Mike and Lynda the night before and I wanted to see a little more of the area than the white lines on the road! We followed the road through Old Colorado Springs and ended up in Manitou Springs which was a really scenic spot. We drove up to where the cog railway starts on its journey up to the top of Pikes Peak (summit 14,114 feet). I’m sure this is a great thing to do and would be absolutely superb for photo opportunities but felt that as we had a bit of an issue with the altitude at Colorado Springs (more like 7,000 feet), this may not be the wisest thing to do.

We then went back to the hotel and finished packing the car and completed the checkout process. We were now homeless until arrival at Denver!

We remembered that Nurse Carrie in the ER had recommended the Whole Foods Market (of which more later) for cornbread so we decided to pay a visit. It was brilliant and furnished us with a slice of maple bacon, apple and garlic pizza to take away for a bite of lunch.

Entrance to Garden of the Gods

As the sun was out – it was still fairly cool out though – we headed back to Garden of the Gods so we could see it in good daylight, rather than the fading light of a few days previously. It seemed like a good place to munch our piece of pizza too.

There is a driving loop round the park, most of which is one way, with a 20 mph speed limit. There are some designated “pull off” areas plus a parking area but for the most part you cannot just stop to take photos when you want to. This means that we’ve taken quite a few photos on the move, through the windscreen, side windows along with several where the camera was stuck out of the open window and the shutter depressed without any idea of what the camera had in its viewfinder! Some have turned out pretty good, some disastrous and some our personal reminders of the scenery but not really good enough for sharing.

Us in the Garden of the Gods

The car park was really busy but we managed to secure the last spot. After polishing off our pizza we went for a walk down the path which we hadn’t had a chance to investigate on our previous visit. It lead down behind the “Kissing Camels” and provided some photo opportunities. We finally remembered to take our first “selfie”, something we’d been meaning to do all visit!

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Dr Robert

By Susie October 3, 2014 Leave a Comment

So the morning dawned earlier for me than I’d like when I discovered, to my deep dismay, that I seemed to have caught the same bug as Stephanie is just getting over. This time I’m sure it’s not the altitude which is a problem as we’ve been here now close on a week.

At least this time we had more of a plan. Sherri, one of Mum’s American friends had been kind enough to send us the info we required to get the situation sorted out.

“Go to an Urgent Care facility” she said, They’re one step down from the ER, but you can see a doctor and get fixed up immediately. It’s usually quicker as well. It seems our wonderful experience at Memorial Hospital where we walked in and were seen literally straight away, is not the norm.

Sherri had also very kindly sent me a list of facilities in Colorado Springs. So we went along to the second one on her list, “Premier Care” on Voyager Boulevard and paid our $114 to see a doctor. Dr Rob gave me a thorough examination, declared that I had a virus and gave me a prescription for the same stuff Stephanie had got plus a different drug instead of the Imodium. That turned out to be on the restricted list. Always good to know I’m getting the hard stuff!

I’m hoping to get over this rather quicker than Stephanie, indeed the medication is controlling the symptoms very well, I just feel knackered! But hopefully this time it won’t disrupt the remaining couple of days here too badly.

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Last Night

By Stephanie October 3, 2014 Leave a Comment

Thursday night was our last night in Colorado Springs.

We had arranged to go out to dinner with Linda – we were to pick her up and she would guide us to the Mason Jar. Linda suggested the meet time of 16:45 which was a little earlier than we would eat normally (more late lunch really) but as my body clock is still a bit confused, we thought that would be just fine.

With Susie not feeling too grand, we decided I would go on my own. As I had not yet driven over here, this was a scary prospect! I had a practice drive to the Urgent Care Center (see previous post). I have only ever driven an automatic once before and that was at least 25 years ago and I have never driven a left hand drive car before. Once I had stopped trying to put the clutch in and could keep my left hand on the steering wheel, it wasn’t too bad. I concentrated really well on keeping in the middle of the lane otherwise there was a tendency to drive too close to the right hand lane edge.

I arrived at Linda’s 10 minutes early so decided to wait in the car. I had managed to park in a prime spot just outside the front door so Linda wouldn’t have too far to walk. A few minutes later I saw Chris arrive and he called over to say he was just going to help her downstairs.

Once Linda was installed in the car we set off with her providing the driving instructions. Luckily it was pretty straightforward.

On arrival at the Mason Jar, we were greeted by Linda’s eldest son, Mike, and his wife, Lynda and so we made a party of four. We had a good time, with lots of chat flowing and I learned a lot about American menus!

Along with Mike and Linda I had the steak and a “fully loaded” baked potato and managed to eat most of it. This was really my first proper meal since the preceding Friday so I didn’t want to push it too far. Linda ate hardly anything in spite of Mike’s coaxing (she’s supposed to eat 2,000 calories a day to regain some weight) but decided to have the leftovers boxed up to take home.

We had just about finished eating when Linda suddenly announced that she was nearly out of oxygen! Lynda fetched their car immediately and they took Linda off home to try and get there as soon as they could before she ran out. We all said a hurried but heartfelt goodbye and then I was left to find my own way back to the hotel…

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