Lovin’ Loveland – Lions, Jam Sessions & Gnome Dwellings
- 1nonblonde
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Week 2 at Loveland RV Resort
Still parked. Still jammin’. Still finding the weirdest ways to entertain ourselves.
June 2025: Let’s dive right into the chaos that was Week 2 at the Loveland RV Resort - because honestly, what else would you expect from full-time RVers with a Costco membership and a suspicious amount of free time?
Getting the Band Back Together
We're back, baby. Dusting off the vocal cords, plugging in the amps, and bringing the noise to Northern Colorado! Our first not-quite-a-gig was an informal "jam" at the Island Grill in Fort Collins. No setlist, no pressure, just a big ol’ room of talented misfits who can’t stay away from a groove.
The lineup? Straight 🔥:
Johnny O on drums (a rhythmic wizard with a sly grin)
Ashley tickling the ivories like Elton’s Colorado cousin
Mark thumpin’ bass like it owes him money
Gary absolutely shredding on lead guitar
Kayla blessing the mic with vocals smoother than a cold brew on a hot day
Drake adding guitar & vocals with the swagger of a man who’s clearly done this before
Greg on fiddle, fire flying from his fingertips
And me, Kristi, grinning ear-to-ear and making noise with the best of ‘em 🎤🎶
Stay tuned: KD & the Painkillers will be officially hitting the Island Grill stage later in June. Same band, more structure, possibly more cowbell.
Bikes, Besties, and Blackstones
We took advantage of some cool mornings to pedal around with our favorite nomadic neighbors - the Steeley VanVentures crew!
Highlights from the ride:
We launched from their van basecamp, parked glamorously in the Boyd Lake State Park lot. Real estate? Questionable. Vibes? Immaculate.
Cruised down the Civic Center Trail, one of Loveland’s hidden gems for people who love paved trails but hate uphill battles.
Explored the Sunday Farmer’s Market at Fairgrounds Park, where we:
Sampled local goodies
Dodged strollers with more horsepower than our bikes
Walked through fragrant rows of produce like we were in a Whole Foods ad
Dropped by a friend’s house for a quick garden admiration session (and left with a bag of leafy greens that made us feel healthier just holding it)
Spotted a fairy/gnome house tucked into the landscaping, because apparently we’re now the kind of people who brake for whimsical lawn décor
Returned to the van for a post-ride Blackstone lunch. Meat, veggies, and probably something wrapped in bacon. 5 stars. Would ride again.
Outlet Mall or Wildlife Preserve?
Darren and I took our bikes on a more “urban safari” this week and circled the now-mostly-defunct Outlets at Loveland (a.k.a. Centerra). While the deals were gone, the wildlife moved in.
Wild turkeys strutted through the deserted storefronts like they were late for yoga class.
Eagles surveyed the parking lots from above, probably judging us for still searching for a Nike clearance store.
Black Bear Diner, You Sneaky Thing
We drove past the once-iconic Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop, only to realize it’s now a Black Bear Diner! Cue the nostalgia. We first discovered this cozy, kitschy chain back in Mt. Shasta, visiting our friend Tara - and let’s just say, their biscuits & gravy still live rent-free in our memory.
Meet Lionel: Our Costco Lot Lion King
What started as a simple Costco run turned into a destiny-filled mascot adoption.
There he was: a lone lion figurine perfectly poised on a white parking divider like he was waiting for us - majestic, oddly serene, and made of plastic resin.
Darren, in a rare moment of decisive brilliance, said, “That’s our mascot now.”
And just like that, Lionel joined the Chasing 78° crew. He rides the dashboard, no seatbelt, all heart.
We’re finding that Northern Colorado’s charm doesn’t shout - it revs engines at night, invites you to jam with strangers, and hides tiny gnome houses among its trails. Safe to say: we're hooked.
Stay tuned for Week 3, featuring questionable karaoke, possible thunderstorms, and definitely more bike trails.
Cheers!
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