Made it back from Colorado

Well, it was an event, we got delayed on the Richmond to Cleveland flight so the door was closed and they didn't let us make our connection...bags made it...then had to fly to Phoenix then to Denver, so it was a very long day.
So Friday we basically slept in and then did try to hit USAFA for noon meal formation so I could show my friend travel buddy Lara my old haunts.

 So here are the cadets getting lined up for the noon meal formation.

 Here is a picture from the Overlooks near the North Gate, It was Friday but the snow from Wednesday was still present.

here I am pointing to the track where I spent quite a bit of time over my four years.

So Saturday, we were hopeful that with 60 degree weather and a few days between the snow we would be able to get to the top of Pikes Peak. The cog train took us to about 12,000 feet due to high winds and snow drifts...which was ok, it was still a nice trip and day. Lara and I did get lots of advice and tips on when we try to do the hike in the future...gotta do it during late spring and/or summer when you have better weather.

But here we are on the cog train:

 So we started at the train station, and made it up to 12,000 feet.

 My travel buddy Lara who I know owe another trip to Colorado so we can attempt to climb the Peak

A view from the train, it was a really nice ride and nice day too bad we only made it to 12,000 feet.

Sunday we did Garden of the Gods with my nephew and niece. Another great day and good weather for hiking around the park.

 Garden of the Gods with Ryan and Amy Cho

 Lara and I in front of a Pikes Peak View. Another time we are going to hike up to the summit.

 View of Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background.

 Amy and Ryan are having fun at Garden of the Gods.

 The Twins at Garden of the Gods. We really had great weather on Sunday and again on Monday when we went back. Monday we took Matthew with us b/c it was another beautiful day with warmer weather.

Just another view of the red rocks and the blue sky. 

So Monday night we took Matthew to a few houses in Leone's neighborhood. Matthew was dressed as a Monkey. Ashley (my other niece) got a few good pictures of Matt in his costume b/c he was not liking it so much. It was a little big and warm but he tolerated it for a little while so we could visit some houses.

 Matthew in his Monkey Suit.

 Amy and Ryan taking Matthew to a few houses!

Matt with his Aunt Leone trick or treating in her neighborhood.

So the return trip was almost as eventful as the going...we were waiting on the pilots in Denver to land their flight from Vegas and then get to our flight...they were later than the 15 minutes we were told...of course, by the time we were taxing and taking off we were 50 minutes behind our original take-off time...of course going East we made up some time, but in Cleveland, the layover times are 30 minutes or so...we had 40 minutes from our suppose to land time to our take-off...bear in mind they close the door 10 minutes before scheduled take-off...so we deplane and it is 320, so 5 minutes before our scheduled take-off and while we touch-down in Cleveland at 307, so 22 minutes late, by the time you taxi and wait for everyone seated in front of you to get their crap and deplane, there is not a lot of time...so yeah, lesson learned, not going to fly through cleveland or anywhere with 30-40 minute lay-overs...ok, back to the story, we deplane, and have Matt in my arms, Lara pushing the stroller, and the lady tells us to run, from C5 to another terminal to catch our flight at gate D11...yeah, RUN, with a baby??? ugh...so we try to "run" which is fast walking through and around folks. down an escalator, through a tunnel, up an escalator, and yeah, Lara is on the escalator with the stroller, Matt still in my arms and we get to the plane...they waited...finally some good news...b/c it would not have been fun to get re-routed to Newark or Atlanta or somewhere to get to Richmond...it is also amazing how when it is their fault, the Pilots are late to a plane, how all of a sudden they will hold connecting flights at the next place whereas the "supposedly bad weather" (the reason for our re-route on the first trip) they did not wait 10 minutes for us...yep, they had that door closed right on-time when we were still there before take-off time but after that magic 10 minute before mark.

So we made it home, Matt is somewhat cranky today from the time-zone changes and flights but it was a great trip and thanks for my sister and her family for putting up with us. Also thank you to Laurel for meeting me for dinner and HAPPY BIRTHDAY as well!

So next travel adventure is Thanksgiving to Louisiana...hopefully it will be uneventful and Matt will travel as well as he did on these flights!