The reason
why we made this mid-Covid journey had finally come to pass. Rob’s very special specialist is located in
Denver and he needed yet another medical procedure. We chose Chatfield State Park as our
residence for the week so we’d be within at least an ambulance ride if needed. Arriving on Labor Day (parks are increasingly
difficult to find campsites during weekends!), Jacob and family were beyond
gracious enough to drive a car up to us for our use for the week.
We arrived
early afternoon and set up camp, surprised at how fun it was to go through our
“motions”. Pull out the awning, put the
outdoor “carpet” out with the chairs, tablecloth on the table (with a candle of
course!) – one of those rituals you create in these offhand lifestyles.
The kids
showed up soon after and we hung out in the hot, dry heat of the Colorado
afternoon before deciding we should head
to the reservoir for a swim. The family
got in the car while Rob and I jumped on our bikes and we made our way across
the lake to check out the swim beach.
Being the last weekend the beach was open, it was quite busy but
everyone was doing their part while enjoying the beach.
Returning to
camp, the family didn’t stay too long with an hour drive’s home and school/work
the next day. Also on the schedule was
an approaching storm – snow they said.
It wasn’t too long after that the wind picked up and the clouds
arrived. We undid our “motions” and
prepared for what, we did not know!
The next day
was procedure day and we were due at the hospital at 630 am – a 45 min drive
away. Waking up at 5 we found the temp
having plummeted and the snow beginning to fall. We went from a 93 degree high to a 26 degree
low in less than twelve hours!!!
Thursday we
accomplished a doctor followup where we met a sweet older couple in the first
stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions. It is sad to think of all the lives impacted
by this despicable disease yet it was good to be able to share some “rules of
the road” and stories of hope with them.
In the end, I think we helped.
To add to
the visit, we checked in on our friends Bob and Sue who we had missed this trip
with covid and snow challenges. Sue is
also battling cancer and she and Rob are comrades in arms, so to speak. With all of our missed attempts to connect,
we had a great conversation from different rooms at the same cancer
center! She was there for tests before
started yet another trial drug while Rob was in his . We waved through the walls as we talked.
Following
the doctor visit which brought its own challenging news, we caught up on
grocery and sundry shopping. It’s funny
how a simple stop at Trader Joe’s for familiar groceries can bring me joy! With some favorites in the bag we carried on
to do some big city birthday shopping for our son before heading back to camp
where we were hosting our niece for dinner.
came at
4 and we wasted no time getting on with happy hour! With my brother’s amazing smoked salmon added
to other goodies, the party was on! Jojo
works in the sustainable energy field in Golden and leads a fun, rewarding and
diverse life. She and boyfriend Michael
had just driven back from Alaska together after a couple month Covid stay.
We told lots
of stories huddled in ever increasing clothes against the ever increasing
evening cold. Charleston friends Craig
and Cindy now living in Denver joined our chilly surroundings for dinner of hot
sweet potato chili and all the accompaniments – al fresco! I kept the food and beverages coming and we
all had a good time warding off the cold!
With the
medical needs accomplished and more friends and family connections made, it was
time for our final stops before the road home.
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