Got it turned in....a Great evening with my cousin....looking at palm trees again!

After my geocahing I slept great Thur nite. Friday morning I was up working as usual. Today was return day for my little humble home. I only worked 1/2 day and then finished closing up things on the rig. I had to dump the black and gray tanks, un-hook from the water and electric pull in the slide, check the tires and around the rig and roll. I wanted to ride the Cog Railway up to Pike's Peak on the way up to Aurora to return the rig. I had to drive through Manitou Springs to get there and then up the mountain a short distance. The further I got the more I knew this was a bad decision...the roads were narrow and the parking lot was awful, but I made it. Note to self....don't do something like this again without asking if it is big rig friendly. I kept seeing buses going up there, so I thought I could make it, and I did, but it was tight. Those bus drivers are GOOD, and better than me!!! I got parked, paid my $5 and headed to the train station....it is advised that you make reservations ahead of time but I went to the ticket window and ask if I could get a ticket for 1. The answer was yes, but it took 3hrs to do this. 1hr 15min ride up......30-45min on top, then the ride down. I didn't have that much time....I had to have the rig returned by 230p and it was about a 1.5hr drive plus I had to stop and gas up before returning...this would have to be for a return trip. I took a few pics and headed back to the rig.

Really cool train cars.....love trains.

You can't see Pike's Peak, but it is around the corner and way up!

I wanted to go so bad....but, I'll be back!

Now it was time to head north....up 25N and as an added pleasure I got to fight more wind!! Seems for some reason it's been very windy in Colorado for a few days, not normally so, lucky me!! I hit a little traffic, and was cutting it close but I made it.....1401.9 miles...I drove all but 10 of these miles, not bad for my first adventure!!! I got parked and they came out to check me in pretty quick. All that went well and I was on my way. 

My cousin Russell and his family live in Denver. He had graciously offered for me to spend the night with them, so pretty soon he came to get me. He had his adorable daughter Lila with him...she's a cutie. We made a few stops and then went to Hoss's BBQ for dinner...a terrific local place. We were in no hurry and just kinda chilled. ...at slow and visited with folks, was a great evening. It was time for Lila's bath and bedtime so we headed home. They live in an adorable older restored home across the street from a park. I walked outside about sunset to take a few pics. If you look close you can see Russell sitting inside the left window at his desk. 

His few from his home office.....not bad!!!

It's a 3 mile walk around the lake, the other side was coming alive with lights!!

He said they will often put Lila in her wagon and go for a stroll around the lake, maybe stop for dinner or coffee....what a great neighborhood.

Look at those mountains!!!

We then sat inside and chatted, and looked at old family pictures.....we laughed a LOT at some of those. Amber, his wife, had previous plan and was not there which is fine I was kind of last minute. I had a bottle of wine left from the week, Russell had his Coors and we had a blast. Was a wonderful evening, thank you guys so much for having me. Morning came early, I had to be at the airport by 7a....I had a short visit with Amber and Russell and I headed out. Flights were tight but I made it all the way back to FL. Was a long day and I was tired, but I was back home. Denny picked me up and we went to my favorite restaurant for oyster happy hour....$8/dz raw...yum!! I got my fix and we headed home. 

It had been a wonderful trip, I've learned A LOT, and can't wait to do it again. 

Hope you enjoyed following along.....now, back to my reality for now.....beaching it and riding my bike!!!

Not a bad life!!!