Colorado Springs and Bronco’s Game

Location: Colorado
Place we Stayed: Days Inn in Grand Island and Cousin Jesse’s in Colorado Springs
Attraction: Garden of the Gods and Bronco’s Game

As an Anniversary/Vow Renewal gift, Jill got us two tickets to the Broncos/Chiefs game in Denver. Since the game was on New Years Eve, it allowed us an extra day in Colorado and the ability to drive back on New Years Day. One goal of the trip was to not eat at a single franchise restaurant.

We took off at 2:30 pm on Friday afternoon during a snow storm. We were getting about 5-6 inches of snow and the roads were terrible. It was a pretty snow though. Not much wind, so we were driving through what seemed like large white sheets of paper falling slowly to the ground. We took it slow and really didn’t have any trouble on the drive out. Once we got to Des Moines, the roads were a lot better since they weren’t getting as much snow towards the south. We decided to grab a bite in Omaha and found a unique place called Block 16. We landed on Dragon Fries for an appetizer and Poutine Burrito and Pulled Pork Roll for sandwiches. Dragon Fries had spicy dragon sauce, melted cheese curds, scallions, and a crushed fortune cookie all smothering french fries. It was delicious and we made quick work of them. Our sandwiches were very tasty too. Then back on the road for a few more hours until we stopped in Grand Island for some sleep.

We were lucky enough to have a hotel that offered us a buffet breakfast next door at no cost, so we ate a nice large breakfast of sausage patties, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and orange juice before we hit the road to Colorado. As we walked out to out car, we were smacked in the face by the cold air. The boogers in my nose froze almost instantly and as I turned the car on, silently asking it to save me from hypothermia, it displayed a single “1” on the thermometer readout. The forecast for Colorado Springs was mid 40’s, so we anxiously put the car in gear and step on it towards the warmer weather.

It was around lunch time when we arrived at the Phantom Canyon for some good food and good beer. We both were holding out to go to the bathroom and had to pee so bad, we were holding ourselves in a completely inappropriate way as we rushed through the door. After lunch, we decided to hike the Red Rocks Canyon for a bit and took a drive around the Garden of the Gods. This part of the country is spectacular. I’ve been here around half a dozen times but every time I’m taken back by how beautiful it is. The bright red rocks sticking out of the ground with the Rockies towering in the background. Everyone around there seems to appreciate the outdoors. People are so friendly and seem so active. There is so much to do in the area, it is an active couple’s playground.

After making sure we got a full dose of the Red Rocks area, we headed to Shane’s cousin’s and long time friend’s house. Night one in Colorado consisted of having a few adult beverages, catching up and throwing down on a few mean games of Foosball. I had almost forgotten how competitive my good friend was. We were playing couples for teams and when the night was over, the Klein’s won the majority of the games, 3 to 1.

Morning came and we decided to make breakfast. We hit the store and picked up eggs, bread, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, cheese, green peppers and onions. Then our hosts contributed some delicious maple sausage and hash browns. We collaborated to cook up one amazing breakfast, and finished up just in time for Shane and Jill to head to the Bronco’s game. We got stuck in a bit of traffic on the way, but still made it in time to walk around a bit and see all the tailgating fun while drinking a couple of our own beers. I’m always impressed with how far people will go to prove they are a big fan. We saw several Bronco painted vehicles: buses, campers, a limo, and even a fire truck. It was a bit chilly, so w didn’t walk around too long. Once in the stadium, w purchased a bottomless cup of coke that just happened to pair perfectly with the secret stashes of Jack Daniels that were hidden in one of about 16 layers we were wearing to stay warm. The Bronco’s ended up losing by a field goal as time expired, but the game was a lot of fun none-the-less. I was again reminded of how obnoxious some people can be with just being loud and saying drunk things that they feel is witty but came off just plan belligerent.

After the game, we headed back to our kind host’s house where they were having a new year’s party. We attempted to drink just casually since we had a long trip in the morning, but there were still a few shots taken. More foosball and talks of legalized marijuana (its legal for recreation there) were how much of the night was spent. We had our new year kiss and then one more game of foosball before going to bed.

We woke early to start our trek home and made it about halfway home before a tire exploded leaving us needing a new tire… in 5 degree weather… in the middle of no where… on New Years Day. Changing the tire in freezing weather was less then enjoyable. Especially when only a few feet from semi-trucks screaming by. We got the spare on and managed to find to a Wal-mart that would swap out the tire on the rim, but would not put our car on the lift since it was New Years Day and they were short staffed. Since the other tire was bad too, and I’m a gluten for punishment, I had them do both back tires and changed them out myself in the parking lot while freezing lug nuts off. Surprisingly, the whole ordeal only set us back a couple of hours. We were home in time to put our kids to bed and get to sleep at a reasonable time to get back to reality and the work week ahead.