You see it was after I’d agreed to return to the Silvertree on June 5 to conduct training that I’d realized that the Aspen airport was closed for runway maintenance through June 7, leaving me with two choices: take flights at very inconvenient times and exorbitant prices to fly into Vail/Eagle, and still drive almost 2 hours, or drive the full 4 hours from Denver to Aspen.  Despite my phobias I had chosen the second option, which got me there 5 hours earlier in the day and saved my client about $700.  Fortunately for me the weather cooperated and there was not too much traffic.  (I found this mountain drive much more picturesque when you don’t have an 18-wheeler riding your back bumper at 70 mph on a 4% incline.) 

The best part was hearing the obscure AM radio stations I’d picked up during the drive, and I even heard Gordon Lightfoot’s Early Morning Rain, which was a song I recall listening to when I was the driver of the hotel airport van for Marriott.  I recall vividly dropping off the flight crews, business travelers and other guests and listening to the refrain:  “…I’m stuck here on the ground, with no place to go.”  Gosh how glamorous life on the road seemed back then, when my only experiences were Spring Break or vacations with my parents; what a reminder to be careful what you wish for in life, as it just might happen! Between songs I found myself relaxing and was even conscious enough of the stunning views to snap a few pictures for my blog readers, of which this one came out the best. 

I arrived at Silvertree before the close of the business day and in plenty of time to have my introductory meeting with the GM and Director of HR.  Next morning I found myself presenting to two very lively groups of participants from the front desk, PBX, and Guest Services/Concierge staff of the Silvertree Hotel, where I’d just been two months earlier to train their Reservations team.  After the training I decided to drive as far back towards Denver as possible to make my 10am departure, so immediately after my workshop I was headed back in CO 82 West towards I-70 East.  Again the weather and traffic cooperated and I was able to make it almost all the way out of the mountains before dark, but instead decided to stop at pretty much the last exit – Idaho Springs – where I’d visited over 15 years ago on vacation.  Since there were no chain hotels there I decided to head right back to the same motel I’d stayed at then, which was the famous Indian Springs Resort, known for its mineral water treatments.  While the historic part of the hotel itself has probably seen its better days, I got a great rate for a motel room which was just fine.  Best of all, minutes after check-in I’d changed into my swimsuit and found myself floating face-up in the heated thermal waters of their indoor swimming pool heated that is refreshed daily from natural underground sources.  After changing after my swim I even headed to their pub where I enjoyed the cheapest drink specials and best Karaoke performers I’ve heard in some time.  Here’s a picture of the Indian Springs Resort the morning of my departure:

                                                

After an uneventful drive back to Denver and an equally uneventful flight back home I was able to enjoy two days straight in the office, which as events were to play out were to be my last two full days office days for the rest of the month.