Deer Stalker

The sun comes up early at the Broadmoor. We intended to get out early for a walk before the unusual heat set in. I was dragging a little as The Broadmoor went to emergency power around 3AM. No big deal unless you are on a CPAP machine. Nevertheless we headed out just before 8AM.

We started out on the lake path where the Canadian Geese contemplated crossing in front of Luc. Startled, they returned to the lake.

It was a pleasant four mile walk through the neighborhood with nice homes and trees. We returned to the Broadmoor grounds by the golf course cottages. The doe pictured walked up behind us and stayed within a few feet. It soon became apparent that she was after Luc.  Cherry picked up Luc and I stayed between the doe and Cherry until we got under cover and sat in some chairs. The deer followed us up under cover and watched us for five minutes before wandering up to some shrubs around the cottages. We took the opportunity to walk toward the tennis courts and the chase began. I maneuvered left and right to keep the doe off Cherry and Luc. We saw a Broadmoor truck with two employees drive up and we attempted to put the truck between us and the deer. That did not work but the employees saw what was happening and jumped out and helped keep the deer off of us.

Luc was quite exhausted and told us he preferred flowers and butterflies.

Jerry Windlinger
jwindlinger@comcast.net

Where's Poppy?

Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.

We arrived at Colorado Springs this afternoon and checked in at the Broadmoor for a meeting and a little golf. Colorado is experiencing drought and a heat wave. The lake at the Broadmoor looks a little low and temperatures hit the high nineties. We thought it would be a good idea to drive somewhere a little cooler.

We drove up highway 24 to Green Mountain Falls. It was quite pleasant up there at 7800 foot elevation in the shadow of the tall peaks. The gazebo pictured in the lake is 124 years old and was only accessible by boat until 1990 when a bridge was constructed in honor of the gazebo's centennial.

Luckily there was a hot rod auto show in town around the lake. Even then the Mucky Duck and Pantry were quiet.  The pizza place was hopping though.

Poppy, Moppy, and Mr. Luc headed to nearby Manitou Springs which was bustling.  There we discovered Blue Bell Ice Cream for sale. We were told that it has been sold in Colorado for about a year. Who knows, Chelsea, Blue Bell might get to California eventually.

In case you are wondering we only saw one small area that burned in the recent fires. There were quite a few signs thanking the fire fighters and we were told that the town of Manitou Springs was evacuated for three days.

So long from The Broadmoor.


Jerry Windlinger
jwindlinger@comcast.net

A Stroll in Venice - Should Have Worn a Hat

After Austin Blues Tri-pepper smoked pork and Buffalo, beef & pork with chipotle pepper sausages washed down with a Belgian Gouden Carolus, Chelsea headed back to her Sony Playstation world.  I had time to kill before a couple of conference calls and it was a rare ozone free blue sky day in Venice with temps around 70 degrees. I decided to put some steps on the Fitbit and walk to Venice beach and Abbott Kinney.

There are all kinds of opportunities to meet interesting people in LA.  My first stop was an interesting pet store where I found Koi, Goldfish, and Bearded Dragons for sale. I am not currently in the market for a dragon but I now know not to put sand in with the younglings.  I am curious to know if the dragon parents who live in nature know to keep their children out of the sand.

Not to far down the road I was asked by a nice man outside of an establishment of some sort if I would like to come inside for some refreshing coconuts. Now I was not sure if these were to be imbibed or otherwise applied so I declined.  I have seen many signs warning of falling coconuts so I consider them dangerous unless they are in a pie or a cake.

I next came along a couple of surf shops and some evangelists of the Big Kahuna working on their brakes on their "thugs against drugs" car.  I have to admit that I thought about my friend Dave back in Houston who surfs instead of playing golf.  I wonder if he would really like to hang with these guys in search of the big wave.

I rested on a bench outside Hal's Grill to check my messages.  Hal has some great memories of college celebrations, best chicken on the west coast, and someone locking her keys in her car.

I know some folks who have little dogs who wear clothes so I stepped into the Modern Dog store.  One of the proprietors and his partner were there and helped me pick out the right size for some little four footers. Turns out that the owner has lived in Houston on Virginia Street in the Upper Kirby district.  That is the same street my spouse inhabited in her childhood.  Small but very different world we all live in.

The eyes over Abbott Kinney appeared to be leftover fron a bye-gone era as they seemed to have nothing to do with the shop on the premises. I will bet that there is a story to be told.

By the time I returned to my car my head was a little pink.  My good friend, Andy, would likely agree that I should have worn a hat.

Jerry Windlinger
jwindlinger@comcast.net