Saturday in Colorado Springs

On Saturday morning Kathy and Jeff hosted breakfast in their suite. After breakfast we were off to the USAFA to drop the cadets off for their accountability check for 0930 at the football stadium. This was to be Air Force's first game of the season against Southern Utah.

At 0900 people were already arriving and in the Cadet Wing area each Squadron was busy setting up their Tailgate party. Any and all things one could imagine for a tailgate was taking place. Sam's Squadron, Viking IX had various beverages, snacks of all kinds, hamburgers, hot dogs and Brats. A large can soliciting donations was conveniently placed near the Grill Maestro.

Upon filling ourselves with a second breakfast we were off to the stadium for the pre game festivities. The march on by the cadets was awesome. When dismissed , it was a mad rush to their seats in on the visitors side of the field from the 10 - 20 yard line. We were seated on the 30 yard line, eighteen rows up. The Cadet Falconry Club performed with the Falcon mascot, the Parachute team came down from above to drop in on the 50 yard line.

The playing of the National Anthem was just awesome, with most all of the fans singing it's lyrics. The final culmination to the pre-game events was a fly over by T-38 jet trainers. Just a patriotic moving moment for all in the stadium to share. Got Bless America and thank you to our men and women in uniform.

The game was great with Air Force winning 41-7. Just a little follow up, this past weekend Air Force beat Wyoming in Laramee 23-3. Air Force (2-0, 1-0 MWC) travels to Houston, Texas, to take on Houston (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2:30 p.m. Central time at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. The game will be televised live on CBS C (Formerly CSTV). Now Hurricane Ike might have something to say about that game happening. Also, on Sunday Sept. 14, the Baltimore Ravens are supposed to be in Houston for a game against the Texans.

After the game we went to the home of Sam's sponsor for a cookout. Each Cadet has a sponsor and Sam's sponsor has four Cadets who can use their home as a respite during time off. We got to meet the other Cadets and their families and a great time was had by all. After the cookout it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Sam and family had another picnic to go to on Sunday so Granny & I rented our own car and did our own thing. Our first stop was the Garden of the Gods, Granny wanted to get out and hike, but no parking any place. Our second stop was Manitou Springs. This was our second time at the springs. We were there several years ago with Tommy and Elva and Bobby and Barbara. Being somewhat parched we stopped by the local American Legion for a beer on their deck. The deck, so to speak sits adjacent to the sidewalk and we enjoyed the beer while watching the passer bys. Their were two festivals going on in the town this day and the crowds were enormous.

We made our way to the central park where a Native American festival was going on. Being hungry we searched out some food and found a booth selling barbecue. Granny wandered to a table ( a fatal attraction) with two obvious street people sitting on one side engaged in conversation. Granny sat down and of course I had to follow. Moments after starting to eat, one of the two, and we shall call him Summer, lit up a Roach and took several smiling drags on it and snuffed it out. Now why Summer you might ask. Well, when he opened his mouth that's what his teeth were. Some are here, some are there and not much in between. He also had a long necked Bongo Drum.

The other individual had pure white hair, cut in a Little Lord Fauntleroy style. He was carrying a book, "A Time To Kill" by John Grisham. And you thought I was kidding when I said Fatal Attraction. Their conversation was being dominated by Summer and was centered on hanging out in the Library and using the computers and searching places on Google Earth. Fauntleroy had no clue what Summer was talking about. After a short while Fauntleroy departed and Summer turned his attention to us. Oh my Lucky Day.

"So, you guys from around here", he asked? Summer told us he had been in radio, on air, production, engineering and such. He asked us how we liked the band up on the stage. He also said he performs up there also. After rummaging through his backpack for several moments and coming out with nothing, he lit and took a few more tokes on his roach. Ah, that glorious glow from a true believer, he smiled. Now it was twenty questions. Are you in the Military? What do you think of George Bush? Did you know this about G. H. W. Bush? Did you know this about the CIA? Yep Grannie, you picked a great seat!

Almost instantly the conversation ended when a friend of his from the band appeared and all attention turned to his Bongo and how to tighten it. Too much vibration on the face we had been told. We bid Summer good by and escaped to walk the streets among the throngs of people. We even passed Fauntleroy, still clutching his novel in his hand, tucked under his armpit. Fauntleroy had that far off gaze, like wow man, where am I?

I saw a man with a Phillies hat, and asked him how they did last night. He didn't know but we did chat a bit, he was born and raised in Haddon Heights, NJ and lived about six blocks from where I lived in Audubon. Small world!

After we saw all there was to see, it was back to the hotel to meet up with the kids. Turned out they had a great day at their picnic and all were ready to veg. Jeff and I were sent on a run to find Chinese Food, especially Sushi. After a good hour we returned and had a feast.

On Monday Kathy decided we needed to head south forty five miles to Pueblo. Why Pueblo you ask, because it's there. Driving into the city.
, some concern towards Malcom was exhibited. You see, Malcom gets motion sickness sitting in the rear of an eight passenger van. We quickly found a drugstore and got the boy some medicin and moved him to the front seat. A future pilot?

We saw signs for the Colorado State Fair and followed them to the fair. We used the old Military Discount routine and the seven of us got in for $20.00. A pretty nice perk, if I do say so myself.

Every kind of fair booth you could think of was there. Food, jewelry, T shirts, recruiters for the military were all vying for you time. We went into the Colorado Dept. of Natural Resources building. A great many displays gave the history and current state of the resources that abound in Colorado. One booth in particular grabbed the attention of the Cadets, a shooting gallery. Both Sam and Malcom showed us how well they could do. They both were Laser Hot Shots.

We found a booth selling Funnel Cakes and purchased a big basket of them to share. If your a Cadet in uniform, you must check out the wind direction prior to eating. Powdered sugar and Air Force blue just don't go well together.

Our next stop was to watch Cowboys and Cowgirls perform with their Cutting Horse. This was a judged event and Abby, ever the horse lover, loved it. The horses trotted in great circles, galloped fast and came to sudden stops, as well as turning continuous circles within it's own footprint. It was an event new to all of us.

The trip back to Colorado Springs was very quiet, all, except yours truly, the driver were asleep. We had our main meal for the day at a Macaroni Grill. After the meal Abby was presented with a desert with a candle and she officially turned Twelve a little early.

We went back to the Hotel, the Cadets packed their things, and we were off to the Academy one last time. We were able to drive right up to Vandenberg Hall to drop the kids off with all their stuff. We made one last trip up to the dorm area, said good by with hugs all around and walked back down the stairs one last time. We left knowing that Sam and our country's future are in good hands. It had been a great and memorable weekend.

On Tuesday morning we were up and at it at 0400, our flight was to depart at six. All went well until Lee was going through security. I was admonished by a TSA employee after I said, yes I have tooth paste. It seems this young lady wanted it with my shaving cream (3 oz) outside my carry on, for her to see. This was not the case in BWI on the way out. At any rate, she got her, I'm in charge here thrill for the day. Our flight was on time and the trip to Chicago uneventful.

We had a long walk in Chicago to our next gate, getting there minutes prior to boarding. We had not eaten except for a Bagel at at four AM. Grannie and I boarded with the first wave onto the plane. When Kathy, Jeff and Abby boarded some minutes later, we got the greatest gift. It seems there was a Starbucks next to the gate. Kathy had gone in and made a purchase and as she passed us going down the aisle, she passed us two of the finest sandwiches we ever had.

The flight to BWI was again uneventful. Our car was where we left it. We parked in the new express parking area, a great treat if your ever traveling out of BWI. The ride home was great, now stoppages on the Bay bridge. Our cat greeted us in the driveway as we drove up. It was a great trip, and it was good to be home. Next up, Greenville,SC for Delaware vs. Furman on September 20'th.