Week 15 at Loveland RV Resort: Ducks, Bikes, Beer & Pirates (Oh My!)

September 2025: Hey friends - welcome back to the weird, wild world of full-time RV life. This was our 15th week calling Loveland RV Resort home (yep, the one on US-34, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies).

Let me tell you, this week was one for the books. Grab your favorite beverage (beer, kombucha, or rocket fuel - your call), and come ride shotgun with me through this week’s highlights.

The Ducky Who Lived

While running errands in Loveland, I made a quick stop at Michael’s (because obviously craft supplies are “essential”). As I stepped out of the truck, I spotted something yellow and forlorn in the parking lot.

It was a tiny rubber ducky, scuffed up and missing a bit of its shine - the kind of wear that can only come from a long, adventurous life. My guess? It escaped from a Jeep dashboard somewhere along the way. Poor little guy probably rolled off mid-turn and has been wandering the asphalt ever since.

Naturally, I had to rescue it. It’s now proudly perched on our pickup dashboard, joining our growing collection of mascots. It may be banged up, but hey - aren’t we all, after a few miles on the road?

Errands, Murals & Loveland Adventures

I tackled a handful of errands in town, and in between stops for groceries and supplies, I stumbled across some amazing murals scattered throughout Loveland. The city has a surprisingly rich public art collection (they boast over 475 pieces of public sculpture, but I’m also a fan of street-level mural work).

We lingered, snapped pics, and I mentally vowed that if I ever quit blogging, I’d become a professional mural hunter. (Don’t worry - I won’t quit blogging. You’re stuck with me.)

Craft Time (Because We’re That Cool)

Back at the rig, I had some good old-fashioned craft time with Alex - and this time, it wasn’t just any craft session. We were hard at work on Renn/Pirate Fest trinkets and baubles, plotting out accessories and finishing touches worthy of any fair maiden (or mischievous tavern wench).

There were beads, charms, shiny things, and enough laughter to make the glue gun jealous. We may not have a full craft room in the RV, but a little creativity, a coffee table, and good company are all you really need to bring a project - and a mood - to life.

GABF Packet Stuffing in Boulder - Brew Crew Edition

This was a big one. We headed into Boulder to help with GABF packet stuffing at the Brewers Association Warehouse. (The Great American Beer Festival — the holy grail of craft beer in the U.S. - will be in Denver in October.

What we did:

• Hung with our brew friends, swapping inside jokes and lamenting how our fridge at home is barely cold enough for proper beer chilling.

• Knocked out stacks of packets with labels, swag, schedules - the works. Getting stuff done, people!

• And yes, free beer. Because of course. Work hard, drink harder - that’s the unofficial motto of brew volunteers everywhere.

It’s always a thrill to be behind the scenes of something as iconic as GABF - knowing that soon all those packets will land in the hands of excited beer judges.

Boulder Bike Ride - Scenic & Soul-Restoring

After our packet mission, we hopped on our Lectric ebikes and hit the Boulder Creek Path. This trail is gorgeous - trees overhead, water flowing beside you, the occasional mountain peek. We pedaled all the way until the paved path gave up (hello, gravel and canyon trail), then turned back before the afternoon traffic chaos set in.

By the time we returned to the Brewers Association warehouse, our legs were pleasantly shot, and our hearts were full.

Cowboy Hat Hunt in Longmont

On the way home from Boulder, we made a detour to Longmont. Why? Because we decided Darren needed a cheap cowboy hat for the upcoming GABF competition events. AND because nothing says “serious beer connoisseur” quite like a ranch-style felt hat.

Mission: accomplished. Stay tuned - Darren in a cowboy hat working back of house during the biggest beer competition in America might become a blog highlight unto itself.

Pirate Fest in Northglenn: Swashbuckling Times

We closed out the week by diving headfirst into Pirate Fest in Northglenn with our besties, Alex & Bruce, plus my “bro from another mo,” Brad. (If you don’t have a “bro from another mo,” I recommend cultivating one - they’re great partners for shenanigans.)

Before we set sail, we pre-gamed at Satire Brewing in Thornton. Because why not calibrate your pirate energy with a few pints? (Also, note: locals seem to talk about Satire as one of the go-to craft spots north of Denver.)

At Pirate Fest itself, we embraced the whimsy: costumes, sword fights, treasure hunts, and all the pirate clichés done with gusto. It’s the kind of joyful, silly, community event that makes you glad you live life on the road in close quarters with your partner.

Looking Ahead

Week 15 has left me feeling inspired, energized, and slightly in need of a beer nap. As we inch closer to October and GABF, you’ll be seeing more behind-the-scenes, more beer talk, and - yes - more Darren’s cowboy hat content.

Thanks for riding along on this wild week. If you ever find a lone rubber ducky in a parking lot, do the right thing: adopt it.

Cheers!

-Chasing 78° 🚐🦆🍺🚵‍♂️☀️🏴‍☠️🍻 #RVLife #LovelandCO #BikeAdventures #CraftBeer #PirateFest #GABFPrep #FullTimeRV #Chasing78 #Chasing78Degrees #DashboardZoo #HomeIsWhereWeParkIt