We finally get everything moving towards starting our day. The Inn serves breakfast in the lobby. Cold cereal, muffins, juice and cold milk. They also had breakfast burritos for a dollar. No McDonald's today.We checked the bus schedule but we're a little early. We got everything loaded and ready to go. It seems we stood around the bikes long enough to attract numerous strangers intnet on developing conversations with us. The funniest of these conversations was a guy from Chicago who was fascinated with something he felt we could discuss with him. Eventually his wife walked up holding their baby. He couldn't move fast enough. He took the baby from her and started shoving the child towards Glen. All he could say was "Can I take a picture of you holding my child?". Several times he said "Honey look at the big guy holding our baby, get a picture, get a picture". I'm not convinced Glen was a willing party but he complied like a big ol' softy and they got their picture. Wonder what their story will be when they start showing that one around?
Another gentleman was loading his suburban next to our bikes and began a conversation very little of which I remember. One thing I remember was he just kept talking. His wife and kids came down got in the suburban shut the doors and just sat there. He continued talking to us. On and on he went with the family just sitting in the vehicle waiting on him. Finally his son opened the door and those famous words that tend to burst out of every teenagers mouth "Come on dad!"exploded from within the bowels of the suburban. He opened the car door, still talking. Just as he was about to climb in we dealt the killer blow. Are you all going to the parade? Well yes we are. You know the bus stops right here in the parking lot and you won't have to fight for a parking spot? Really? Sure does! He bent down looking at his wife and barely got the words out... Honey, the bus... Wrong read on the wife's intentions! Sorry buddy! Her face said it all. Absolutely not, this day is planned and you're making us late! He eased a smile towards us and shrugged his shoulders, guess not. You guys have a good trip. Yes sir, you too! I'm sorry for his pain but we got a laugh out of it because we had all been in his situation before.
Time for the bus. We were the next to the furthest stop out and at the end of the drop off round. The bus was basically empty except about ten or twelve people getting on at the same time we did.We hadn't hit 6 stops and this bus was completely full. People in the aisles standing up every seat was filled along with several parents laps. I stood in the rear door wheel well with a guy from Dallas who was taking his three kids to the parade. We had a good time joking with the kids and trying to keep our balance at every stop and turn. The bus driver would pull up to a stop full of people. All they had to do was look at the bus and see there was no room remaining. No way! they kept trying to pile in the bus. finally the driver told people at every stop there is another bus 5 minutes behind this one, you cannot get on this bus. He eventually quit opening the door and would holler at them with the door closed. Once we got in the downtown area people, including the three amigos, were tired of the tuna can bus and decided to walk a block or two. Time to see what several magazines saw when they rated the Steamboat Springs Independance Day Parade one of the top ten small town parades in the country.
It was a nice parade. It was really getting hot in the sun and it never fails that someone always wants to worm there way directly in front of you at a parade. I'm really tired of rude people. I'm not going to soapbox about the inconsiderate ways we have become accustomed to. I actually said something to the dork that decided he wanted to step on my toe (if he didn't step on it sure felt a bump on my foot) to get in front of me. I'm 6'1 and a full 275#, not the biggest guy around but definitely bigger than the meat head that thought I would let him get away with his rudeness. Sorry buddy, you aren't going to stand in front of me. He ignored me. So I looked at Glen shook my head looked around to see if I might offend anyone behind me and moved over. There was no one behind us. Ignoring the jerk in front of me I began trying to enjoy the parade.
I like 4th of July parades. I get goose bumps when the color guard brings the red white and blue by. I'm one of the guys that will kindly remind you to remove your hat, if you don't you better not say anything derogatory or we're gonna have a talk. I will remove my hat for military personnel, and will clap cheer and yell support for them every time. I am patriotic! I love this country. I do not agree with some of it's policies but the core foundation of this country defines greatness. The core of this country makes it easy to become a hero. It still takes a certain type of person to fill the role of a hero but greatness is waiting to be thrust upon the nameless if the nameless are willing to give. The military personnel always make a parade great.
The next highlights of this parade were the horses and their riders. Horses and the western life have deep roots in middle and western America and I'm not sure anyone from these areas wouldn't be admiring of a beautiful horse. Topping off the western life style represented in this parade was an old guy riding a longhorn steer. Very cool!
Not 100 yards behind the man on the longhorn the parade took a definite political turn that really put a damper on my mood. I looked at Glen and declared my desire to depart for grander scenic vistas. Agreeing, we turned, hollered at Jim and said we were ready to beat the crowds on the bus and put our faces in the wind. I think he was exercising patience just being there. Thanks Jim!
My summation of this parade would really be short and concise. It doesn't rate anywhere near the hometown feel of the parade in Red River, New Mexico. A parade I had experienced many years ago. No hard feelings Steamboat but I'll search for a parade more to my liking next year, don't give up! I'm sure lots of people think it's the greatest parade on earth.
I'll have to split this post into two parts since it's late and I'm tired.
Part II of Part VI will have to wait.
Next post... To the clouds and beyond, Trail Ridge Road and Estes Park! Great Adventure! Part VII
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