Back to earth

After 3 days in the Mile High City, I got back to the flat lands of the mid west and a taste of the colder temperature we should have gotten in December, but did not. With temps slated to be in the mid 20's for a high through the weekend, winter is here as is the snow.

Some tough calls in the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins areas but it is how one gets better. We got some great input from all the dealers that we met with.

Some observations on the Mile High City:

Those side streets must have really been a mess out West. Lots of ice and ruts in the road as a result of the multiple storms that dumped all that sun and then when the cold temperatures held for weeks on end! You can can almost see the areas in which the cars were parked and the snow remaining that has really reduced parking areas in this residential area near Golden Bear Bikes in Broomfield.


Denver is oh so beautiful, but crowded and oh, the traffic! The view of the mountains was simply awesome and the sunshine made the days really nice in spite of the cooler temperatures.

The growth is everywhere. Not sure where all the people are coming from but there are construction projects everywhere and what used to be a lonely drive out to Denver International Airport now shows signs of development everywhere. I know that it is a thing called progress, but it is taking over everything and everywhere.

What was Stapleton Airport is now being re developed. This has given the city a lot of land for redevelopment right near the city. This is perhaps what they should be dong in Chicago with taking over the land we now call O'Hare and build an airport somewhere to the west or southwest. Just beyond those freight cars is the open space that used to be Stapleton Airport. Lots of shopping and condos going in to what was once the airport. The skyline contrasted against the Front Range is a terrific view.

I am amazed at all of the bike lane markings. They were even there on the road out to the airport.

The Holiday Inn Select in Cherry Creek is a place no one should stay at. The hotel is not being kept up. I know the weather has been bad, but when you have dirty dishes in the breakfast buffet line...well, that is inexcusable. The lack of cleanliness in the room and the hotel in general is very disappointing.

Sitting here on Saturday night. In the AM Kevin will head back to SNC for the start of the Spring semester. Snow is in the forecast for Sunday which should make the drive up and back interesting. The break has been a good one, but I think that he is ready to get back to school and make his way towards improving on the efforts of the Fall. Some talk of transferring to either Marquette or the UW at some time in the future. He visited Marquette unofficially yesterday but the big wait is to see if he can get in to either school.

I head off to Chicago this coming week and then hit Boston the week after next for Nike action. With KJ back at school, things will get back to normal around here for the first time since the middle of December.

Can't wait for Spring to pop in the coming weeks and getting back out on the fields. The run in the snow planned for a few days ago did not come off, but tomorrow with up to 4 inches on the way, it has got to be part of the day!