Fourteen Weeks In (And Still Smiling): Our Loveland RV Resort Chronicles

September 2025: Well, friends - Week 14 at Loveland RV Resort (Loveland, CO) is in the books, and it was one for the memory wall. Between dental drama, surprise parties, bike rides, and possible celebrity sightings, I’m fairly sure I deserve a nap (or maybe a medal). Here’s how it went down:

The Crown That Couldn’t Hold On (But Did, Eventually)

A few weeks ago, during a glorious Cuban dinner at Mark & Nancy’s, I inexplicably lost a tooth. More accurately: a crown from a long-ago root canal stage-left the building. To my relief, there was no pain (I’m nothing if not dramatic). It was more “Where did my tooth go?” than “Ouch!”

This week, I finally got my fancy new replacement crown. The dentist (a different one than the culprit from decades ago) did a stellar job. It fits much better than the original ever did. My smile is now restored, my chewing is more confident, and I have fewer “Hey, where did my tooth go?” jokes to tell (though I may still sneak a few in).

A New Ride for the Road Warrior

Another big win this week - Darren’s replacement bike finally arrived! We got the call from the bike shop while we were up in the mountains celebrating our anniversary (see Week #13). This bike replaces the lemon that was shipped to us in June - a saga you might remember from a few of my earlier posts.

The new Lectric 4.0 is a beast compared to his old XP 2.0 Lite - sturdier, smoother, and definitely more Darren’s style. He’s already smitten with its beefier frame and extra power. Once we make it back to Florida, we plan to sell both of our older e-bikes and officially ride into the sunset with our upgraded wheels.

Operation: Surprise 60th Birthday (Month Early)

You may know that Darren’s 60th birthday is in October. But when several of his sisters (Lorieta, Denise, Sherri) floated the idea of doing it in September, the plot thickened. Why wait? So, we hatched a plan.

I pulled off a stealth birthday surprise this week. Darren was convinced we were just doing our monthly KD & The Painkillers gig at Island Grill. Little did he know, I was quietly arranging catering, ordering cupcakes, coordinating deliveries - all under the radar.

Here’s who showed up (and quietly hid):

• Family: Sisters Lorieta, Denise, Sherri; brother-in-law Bill; brother Phillip; nephews Chris & Kevin; niece-in-law Sarah; our sons Logan and Devan, plus Devan’s girlfriend Miranda

• Friends: Alex & Bruce; Kathy & Shawn; Mark & Nancy; Mark & Susan; Tina & Lynette

• Old Neighbors: Lucia & Tom, John, Victoria, and their daughter Emma

• UPS Co-Workers: Craig & Ali; Jim & Barb, Jerry

• Bandmate Spouses: Christy, Karen, Diane

  
  

Watching Darren’s face when he realized it was not “just the gig night” was priceless.

We spent all day Saturday with kids and family - card games, Mexican Train dominoes, pizza, stories, laughter. It was low-tech, full-hearted, and perfect for the soul.

Sunday Ride + A Dash of River Magic

Sunday, we saddled up and pedaled along the Poudre River Trail from Windsor to Greeley with our besties Alex & Bruce. The trail is a paved, multi-use path along the Cache la Poudre River - gentle grades, scenic beauty, and plenty of cottonwoods and meadows between towns.

Our mini-itinerary:

• Flights at Weld Works

• Wiley Roots for a flight (or two)

• Cocktails at Syntax Distillery (a lovely stop to toast the ride)

  
  

We took it slow, soaked up the river vistas, and chatted like nothing else mattered.

On our way home (still thirsty), we hit Sonic for some Cherry Limeade - and possibly spotted a potential Weird Al impersonator (or maybe just someone who practices accordion in their free time?). Either way, it made for a fun “did we just see that?” moment.

Loveland RV Resort - Home Base Vibes

Our fourteenth week here at Loveland RV Resort has felt like home. The resort, nestled at the foothills of the Rockies, offers quiet lots, friendly staff, good amenities, and that lovely balance of being near enough to I-25 for convenience, but tucked away enough to feel peaceful.

We’re still awed by sunsets, neighborly waves, and the fact that we get to live this grand little adventure.

Thanks for coming along on Week 14. More stories ahead - but for now, I’m going to practice my “no weird accordion” stare (just in case the impersonator comes back).

Cheers!

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