Highs and Lows of Colorado

It seems I have a Love/Hate relationship with Colorado. I love the people here but hate the weather. It's been tenuous to say the least. Out of the 18 days we've been here, there were 12 days straight of rain, some days without ever seeing sun at all. All the locals say this never happens, but that's the same thing I hear every time I'm here.

"In Colorado if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes. Because it's bound to change," the locals all chuckle.

Not funny if it prevents me from riding my motorcycle. I hate arriving anywhere like a drowned rat, but least of all, visiting clients. I find myself hiding in the hotel, avoiding another wet ride.

We stayed in Longmont and visited clients in Boulder, family in Denver and friends all around. We even had lunch with our friend Betty who lives in San Diego was here visiting her son. We had a wonderful visit with Steve's brother Mark and his wife Beverly. We met up with quite a few friends, had meetings with clients and solidified some business relationships.

We visited with Steve's Mom Maki as well, and I wish I could say it was a good visit, but it wasn't. I'm not sure what's bothering her, but she doesn't seem to want to see me anymore and she's not the type to tell a person why. So the time visiting is strained and feels very forced, making everyone tense. I feel terrible about it, because I love Steve so much and I want to see him happy, and nothing would make him more happy than to see his Mom and me getting along. But I can't change another person and no matter how nice I am, it seems to have no impact on her negativity.

We also visited be remarkable Forney Museum of Transportation in downtown Denver. The beautiful collection of vintage Indians that was recently donated to museum was spectacular. My father was a huge fan of the Scout and after recently riding the 2015 Indian Scout, I just had to visit the museum.

"Your Dad would flip if he knew you were writing the brand new scout! He always wanted a 1932 Scout. I am sure he is looking down on you and is so excited for you and proud of you. But then again, he was always proud of you."

My step mother Kathy constantly reminds me that my Dad is watching over me. She is having a great time following along with our travels and cheering me on. I've told her a number of time what an inspiration she has been for me, being a woman who was riding her own motorcycle in 1970. She took a great deal of heat from the guys she rode behind, often getting teased about her Sportster. She took it all in stride, and knew how to handle being unique.

Our time in Denver mostly working staying out of the rain rolls in every damn day. It's been a time for me to connect with old friends socialize visit client and truly reflect on what's next for us. It seems every day brings another good and new opportunities for us as individuals and our business. I certainly hope that Maki and I can resolve our differences over time. Perhaps our need to keep returning to Denver by gaining a client base here, as well as building friendships with the ladies of the Steel Horse Sisterhood (which is based in this area), is all meant to be. I'm resisting my urge to run away and doing what I can to focus on the positive here in Denver.

After a little over 2 weeks, we are hitting the road today, heading south towards Pagosa Springs. I long to slay my personal dragon which is Wolf Creek Pass. First we'll stop in Salida for a couple of days, just to see what's there, then we are going into Pagosa Springs to visit our friend Jared for a few days.

Jared is just another reminder that in spite of the weather here in Colorado, the people are phenomenal.

With Charley Rock at Nordy's in Loveland

Lunch with Betty in Westminster

With my Sister-in-Law Beverly at Joe's Crab Shack in Denver

Gabriele and Charleyn invited Asphalt Annie and me to lunch at Sweetwater Station in Broomfield

Along Route 6 for a photo/rest stop with Jason, Amy, and Brian

Steve is now doing some consulting for Duke of Duke's Smoked Meats, our client in Boulder

With Jason, Amy and Brian at the end of our ride in the Rockies, parting in Golden, CO