Home Again

I had a nice time in Manitou Springs. I didn't really achieve the relaxation I was shooting for, which is no one's fault but my own, but I still had a good time.

I got to my B&B at 4:00, checked in and freshened up. After snarfing down some straight-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies (made special for me, I might add,) I headed out on foot to find a place to watch the superbowl. I wound up at a place that claimed to have "the best Philly cheesesteak this side of anywhere." Of course, this is an inherently ridiculous and foolish statement, especially when it's made in Colorado. But I went in anyway. Because really, even a mediocre cheesesteak can be pretty satisfying. (Let's just say it met my expectations.) The rest of the evening was much like the sandwich: it was alright, even kind of good, but nothing special. I eventually went back to my room and, since it was too late to sit in the hot tub, took a hot bubble bath.

The next morning, I was presented with the biggest breakfast my grizzly bear of a hangover could possibly handle. (Frankly, I was a little worried that I was going to have to excuse myself a couple times...) There were 2 blueberry muffins, a cup of fresh strawberries with vanilla yogurt, and this giant casserole of hashbrowns, ham, red peppers, eggs, and cheddar cheese. It was all very delicious, and I managed to make a dent in it. I skipped lunch.

[If you ever find yourself in or near Manitou Springs and need a place to stay, check out the Avenue Hotel. Everything about it was awesome.]

After poking my nose in a few shops and looking at a couple of the springs, I decided to leave Manitou and spend some time at Garden Of The Gods. Man, that's a beautiful place. I could just sit there doing nothing all day. I would have, too, had it not been so chilly. And really, after a little while, I realized that I didn't want to be by myself anymore. Everything I did and everywhere I went, I kept thinking, "I wish my family were here with me."

So I went home to them. We ordered pizza and cuddled on the couch. It was the highlight of my trip.

Crumpets and Superbowl Sunday

This is my last week in the 19-34 demographic. That kind of blows my mind out, man.


In order to cram it back in, I'm taking a little trip to Manitou Springs. Just me. Just a 2-day thing. I've reserved a room at a bed and breakfast where I can just relax. Take a bath. Read. Whatever.


I decided to check in on Superbowl Sunday, quite unintentionally. At first, I was disappointed when I realized what day I had chosen for my little getaway. I want to watch the Superbowl, but not all by myself in a strange little room somewhere! Most of the fun of watching a big game like this is the comradery and the trash talk. It's a social experience. So I've been thinking about my options. Maybe there will be some other guests watching in the living room of the B&B. Maybe they'll be really cool. Or maybe they'll be jerks. Which is fine, because I can just leave them there with no excuses. Perhaps I'll find a friendly little bar. Perhaps I'll forego the game and get a massage or a pedicure instead. The point is, I'll be able to do whatever I want, and that's a pretty crazy feeling.


I wonder what they'll have for breakfast.


I made crumpets today. I haven't had a crumpet since I was a kid. I've been wanting them for a while now, and you just can't find them anywhere. So I decided to make my own damn crumpets.


For a first attempt, they weren't half bad. The recipe wasn't quite right, though. The batter was really thick and sticky, so they didn't spread and they didn't bubble. Since they didn't bubble, they didn't get those delightful little tunnels running through them, where the butter can melt into and nestle. And really, that's what makes a crumpet a crumpet rather than just a round piece of bread.


So they weren't perfect. But I'll try again with another recipe, or adjust the one I have. I'll let you know when I get it right. I'll even let you have one.