Loveland Weeks 5 & 6: The Quiet Storm and Welcome to Pirate Central

1nonblonde
Sep 8
3 min read

Week 5: “Nothing to See Here - Heck, We Mean It!”

Ah, Week 5 at Loveland RV Resort could be best summed up as “the calm before the pirate storm.” Our social media empire (ahem, Facebook Marketplace) thrived - we moved random “gotta get rid of this” crap like modern-day yard sale ninjas. That was followed by a doctor's visit or four (I gave 10/10 in “waiting room snoozing,” 0/10 in “fun”).

Week five also came with an unexpected adoption story. Our mascot, Leo (small but mighty in spirit), found himself a new sidekick - a tiny plastic spider we stumbled upon in the gravel next to our rig at the RV park. Naturally, we couldn’t resist. The little guy now rides shotgun on Betty’s dashboard, right alongside Leo.

So far, they seem to be getting along famously - Leo brings the charisma, Spider brings the spooky vibes, and Betty just keeps hauling us where we need to go. We’ll see if this dynamic duo attracts more dashboard recruits as the miles roll on.

But the real highlight? Crafting time with my bestie - except this wasn’t just idle hot-glue chaos. We were making festival finery! Trinkets to trade, baubles for our hair, and some one-of-a-kind hat decorations fit for pirate royalty. We basically turned the RV (and her kitchen) into a Ren Faire prep shop - minus the blacksmith hammering and turkey legs.

Week 6: Pirates, Grogs, Gigs & Golf (adjacent)!

Pirate Invasion at the Colorado Renaissance Festival

Saturday, we stormed the gates of the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur along with our besties - Alex, Bruce, and Brad. Not only did we impress revelers with our pirate swagger, but we also reportedly set record attendance for the festival. Take that, plague-era wicker baskets!

This festival is a bona fide 16th-century Tudor village come to life: 60 acres of artisan stalls, 200+ shops, costumed performers, jousting, fire-breathers - you name it. Pirate Invasion Weekend (July 12–13) is one of its themed extravaganzas, and yes - we nailed it.

We cavorted like sea-dogs - grog in one hand, “meat-on-a-stick” in the other - probably setting a future record for “crispest food-related weapon.” And yep - I scored a new hat that would make all the Ren Faire lasses jealous.

We had so much fun that we returned Sunday for a second round!

Darren’s Reunion at C.B. & Potts

Later in the week, Darren rode off to reconvene with his fellow UPS retirees at C.B. & Potts, nestled in the Collindale Golf Course clubhouse in Fort Collins. A local dining gem since 1974, C.B. & Potts is known for its handcrafted beers, burgers, and killer patio views.

Perfect spot for swapping stories of long days, brown uniforms, and customers who still can’t figure out how to “just sign here – you don’t have to grab the diad.” The kind of laid-back reconnect that makes you wonder why you ever stopped texting each other about road stories and “remember that one delivery?”

KDPK Summer Gig (3 of 8)

KD & the Painkillers brought the music back to Fort Collins with another gig – again at Island Grill. The house was packed, but the crowd stayed cool, giving off a full-but-reserved vibe. Think polite head bobs, subtle chair-dancing, and a few smiles that said, “Yeah, we’re feeling this.” It wasn’t rowdy, but it was electric in its own low-key way. We played our hearts out, and the audience soaked it in - like a perfect Colorado evening served on the rocks.

Adding to the fun, some of our friends (and sort of relatives) came to the area for camping and made time to stop in, see us, and catch the Painkillers show. Kristi & Brian were the special guests - longtime connections from back in Mankato. Brian was a few years ahead of Darren in high school, while Kristi was in Darren’s class. And to keep the family web interesting, Kristi’s brother married one of Darren’s sisters. So yes, by the transitive property of small-town Kansas, they’re practically family. It was wonderful to reconnect, share some laughs, and let them experience the KDPK vibe firsthand.