On the Road to Colorado Springs

When we first started vagabonding, it was super exciting both to us and to people we met.  Now, people are still fascinated, but for me and Drake it's old news.  We have our story down pat.  What doesn't get old is meeting new people and going new places.  Just this morning we met a woman whose husband is a Ranger - the park kind, not the army kind, and she would have been willing to talk to us for an hour about how we got into this vagabonding lifestyle, but we were in a hurry.  It was move in day.  We still had to drive 45 miles to meet the realtor and get the key.  We are staying in the west this year.  I'll be writing my travelogues from Colorado Springs, Colorado and Prescott, Arizona.

Once again, the drive was interesting because we drove from the low desert to the high desert.  We drove Interstate 40 east to Albuquerque, then turned north on Interstate 25.  We wished would could have driven state highways, but when you are dealing with mountains, generally, there's only one viable road and it's an interstate.  I just seems like the low desert is all dirt and cacti while the high desert is grass, grass, grass.  The low desert is flat while the high desert is rolling hills and even small mountains.  Today, when we crossed into Colorado, Pike's Peak just popped up.  At 14,111 feet, it's pretty obvious.  In Colorado, they call these tall mountains the '14's'.

We pulled up to the Colorado version of our Arizona doll house.  Sometimes you just get lucky.  This place is amazing.  Two great chairs plus a sofa, table and chairs, lamps, lamps, lamps, and a desk.  And, as a bonus, there are two decks both of which have nice furniture and a grill.

Whenever we rent something before arriving obviously, we don't see it before we plunk down our money.  This time, it's a jackpot.  This house is so unusual because it's part of Brookdale Skyline Village, An Independent Living Community.  Yep. We are going to be living in a community which is inhabited by what I call the uber elderly.  (Before it was a car service, 'uber' means a supreme or outstanding example of a person or thing.)  There are 44 patio homes, a three story apartment house, an assisted living apartment house, a health center, and a memory care center.

My mother-in-law's independent living community back in Arizona prepared me for this lifestyle. First and foremost: it's a small town.  Everyone knows everything.  We have yet to meet ANYONE, and we've met lots of people in just the first week, who didn't know our 'story'.  I can already tell we are going to be a source of new stories and will be of great interest to everyone.   Our 'section' leader dropped by today, and she will be returning next week with my welcome bag and for a visit.  (Note to self:  make sure house is perfect next week.)

So far, we've been in 'shake-down' mode getting settled.  This community seems to be a great deal for us.  Duplex, all on one level on the 'tourist' side of town. Some of the direct benefits are a daily continental breakfast, a dining room with a meal plan, an indoor heated pool, and a fitness center.  The monthly calendar is taped on the fridge, an 11"x17" piece of paper chock full of activities.  This housing choice has opened up a whole new idea for vagabonding.  Stay tuned!

P.S.  Already been on two great hikes.  Here's my favorite picture from the one today

Jan's imitation of a grizzly.