First things first – yes, I passed the driver’s test. Knowledge test that is. DMV didn’t make me take a behind the wheel so I missed the terrors of parallel parking. I have this multiple layer piece of paper which states I am legal to drive until my license comes in the mail. (Or 30 days – which ever comes first).

The particular piece of paper that I almost forgot this morning when I was trying to convince myself that 0300 in the morning wasn’t all that early. I didn’t believe it but managed to get myself dressed and out the door accompanied by George who was stuck driving me to the airport as BART simply doesn’t run that early.

Shall we skip the part about the I-880 being closed in Oakland with a couple miles of backed up traffic? (Hint, trust the navigator when she says – this exit NOW! Followed by driving along some quiet streets and landing 3/4 of the way through the detour when she had planned just to take the back way through Alameda).

Check in and TSA took all of ten minutes and I was left to twiddle my thumbs in the gate area without coffee. Flight boarded at 0515. Coffee shop didn’t open till 0500 to a line of 20+….

Kathy picked me up in Denver and we drove to Bear Lake Park (or something like that) where Carmen met us for a lovely walk. Yes, it was hot. Yes, I put on both sun screen and a hat.

We saw dogs, bikes, kids, adults and horses. No snakes (which is a lot better than one time when Noah and I went hiking in Arizona).

More road construction and a significant amount of time later, Kathy and I arrived in Manitou Springs. Had lunch, wandered the town looking at buildings, arcades, tourists and tasting water from one of the springs. Interesting to see a place that was actually founded to be a tourist trap.

I’m now at Ft Carson and really tired. Plans for tomorrow include Garden of the Gods and being a tourist in Colo Springs.

I think I can handle that….