Another Winter in Denver

It looks like I am making quarterly posts now. I have been mainstreamed for the past little while and it doesn't feel natural to blog about it.  I have been involved with a friend remodeling a couple of houses.  It has been very satisfying and has kept me pretty busy.  I have done an assortment of projects ranging from tiling backsplashes to refinishing hardwoods to installing drywall to painting and a various collection of smaller projects.  (Pics and vids to come soon)

I want to address Colorado weather to clear up any misconceptions out there. Colorado (specifically Denver) has the best weather of anywhere I have visited. There are four distinct seasons. Living on the bus I really enjoy the fall and spring due to the mild temperatures. Winter is cold, but not brutally so.  Yes there are days that the temps have dropped to single digits and there was snow around Halloween.  But for the most part temps have been around 60 during the day and a low around 30 at night.  Lately it has been a high of 50, with lows in the mid 20's. Not surprisingly, one easily gets acclimated to cooler temps fairly quickly. Perhaps it is the gradual shift in temps or the fact that we get a couple of really cold days (highs in the teens) that make barely freezing nights so tolerable.
I have made the bus as comfortable as I need.  I have become a seasoned veteran of cold weather living.  I know how to best optimize my heating sources and running my generator.  I have a steady income that allows me to eat out and purchase nice-to-haves. I have a car to get around town easily (although it is constantly on life support, it has been fairly reliable since I bought it in March.)  I have a smart phone again that simplifies life, with easy access to the web.  My internet card gives my laptop access to the internet anywhere I am.
Basically, life is good. Almost too good.  I fear I have become complacent and gone back to being mainstream. My pets keep me grounded and make traveling overnight without the bus an ordeal.  I love them without question, but they do hamper certain freedoms. Finding a reliable pet sitter would really free me to explore more frequently.
I miss having unusual stories to write about and challenges to post.  I vow to remedy this soon.  This blog isn't dead...just hibernating temporarily.

Getting back in the Groove

The past week and a half have been busy for me.  I celebrated the last hurrah of summer over Labor day weekend by going to Water World and playing copious amounts of volleyball.  

The group who made it so fun at Water World

Jen Sasser, the birthday girl

As soon as the 3 day weekend was over, my mom came into town for a week long visit.  I was able to show her the Denver that I have come to know over the past year. 

Up on Mount Evans

 Although she stayed in pet friendly hotels, we only felt comfortable walking Nala dog in.  Cat had to be smuggled in via duffel bag.

A few friends met us at the rooftop pool at the hotel to socialize.

Now it is time for me to get back into the groove of normal life.  Working and getting ready for cooler weather.  

Today, it is a high of 58, which is cold in comparison to the past week.  I broke out my space heater for the first time in 4 months.  And there is an unusual steady rain coming down that started last night and is expected to continue through tonight.  It seems this year we got more snow in the winter than rain in the Spring and Summer.  

I am catching up on neglected projects (editing Water World video, etc) while my pets are curled up sleeping on my bed.

Sick Pup

I have been having a busy summer. This week has been a little more low key. Nala, my 11 year old black lab, is sick. She has had the runs since Monday. It is now Friday and I am really concerned. Living on a bus is a tough environment for a dog with bathroom issues. Several times this week she has had 'accidents', always by the front door. Like she was trying to get as close to outside as possible.

Now I have to go work the weekend and I don't like having to worry about her well being. A few months ago, she had the opposite problem. She was all stopped up. Seems my little girl has some tummy issues. Right now, based on online advice, I'm putting her on a 24 hour fast and then fixing her a rice and boiled chicken dinner. If that doesn't work a visit to the vet will be my next step.

Pedicabbing Pics and video

I really am enjoying my alternative job riding a pedicab in Denver. There is always something going on and each night is unique. I have so many stories that it becomes difficult to recall them on demand. It can be strenuous on a busy night but that just means I am doing well. The Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesnee Stadium concert was particularly profitable for me. There are always interesting things happen all the time, Here is a clip showing me at Larimer square. Then I am peddling to the firworks show, finally, I find myself enjoying the grand finale, Here is a picture of 3 girls in my cab at 2:55am. There were 5 girls in there but we are waiting on the other 2 to get taco bell, since it is the only place open. The girl in the middle is the one who got me then added 4 other girls. They make the job fun.

Here are a line of pedicab drivers waiting outside Rockies baseball game.