1 Sep 2023 - Arrived at the United States Air Force Academy FamCamp

 

Holy schmackeral, it cannot be possible (1) that it is the first of September already, and (2) we are within a couple weeks of being home!  This morning we pulled chocks at Cheyenne WY and motored on down I-25 through Denver to Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy's 'Peregrine Pines' FamCamp.  'Peregrine' as it is the peregrine falcon, the mascot of the Air Force Academy, and 'Pines' because of the beautiful pine trees that encompass this great campground.  We stayed here in 2017 and loved it, so a return visit seemed most appropriate.

 

So I am the 'master planner' so to speak,  for our family as it pertains to planning these trips - where we stay, how long we stay, the route, etc.  Obviously Doreen is very engaged in the process, but I serve as the logistician!  When I planned this trip, specifically this stop , I was not tracking the fact that we would be traveling through Denver on the Friday of Labor Day weekend.  I was also not tracking that we would be arriving at the Air Force Academy on the Friday of parents weekend and oh by the way, it is the their first home football game of the year!

The drive through Denver was challenging, to say the least.  Our roads are polluted with self-centered egotistical idiots that have no consideration for anything or anyone but themselves.  They drive like idiots, weaving in and out of traffic, cutting in front of others, etc.  Needless to say it was stressful towing a 15,000 lb fifth wheel through Denver traffic on Labor Day Friday.  But, with many explicatives used, we made it unscathed, no bent metal and no blood lost.     

Soon we arrived in the Colorado Springs area and exited I-25 at the Air Force Academy.  AS soon as we made the turn it became painfully evident that something was up!  There were two lanes going in the gate and both we backed up nearly all the way to the interstate.  We waited in line for a long time and finally traffic started to move.  As we approached the gate, with our retired military ID cards in hand, they waved us through without checking!  I have never seen this anywhere!  

We headed down North Gate Boulevard and made a left at the B-52 bomber static display onto Stadium Boulevard towards the Peregrine Pines FamCamp.  We were checked in quickly with our advanced reservations by friendly staff.  Retirees can made reservations 60 days out, so we did that on 1 July from Bob Shetler Campground when we swung through Iowa between Phase I and Phase II.    

Our campsite is very long, full hookup and a clear view of the southern sky, so our Directv receiver is happy.  As mentioned before, Peregrine Pines FamCamp is nestled in towering pine trees, so the atmosphere is amazing.  

After we set up, I continued with the water, sewer hose, etc and Doreen took care of business inside.  Then, after lunch,  she headed to the laundry facility to do some wash.  Later, we walked around the campground to look at all the campers and walk Liberty a bit.  The Cubs were playing the Cincinnati Reds so we tuned in on that and relaxed a bit.

While online tonight we secured tickets for tomorrow's Air Force Academy football game against the Robert Morris Colonials, who are the athletic teams for Robert Morris University, in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Why not?  Neither of us have ever been to an Air Force Academy football game, and I think it is safe to say after 42 years 2 months and 16 days of service with the Air Force we have a vested interest in the game!!!