Week 17 at Loveland RV Resort: A Slice of October in the Rockies

September - October 2025: Hey friends, family, and fellow roaming souls - welcome back to the latest installment of Chasing 78° Life where we’re roasting marshmallows in the fire-pit of life and simultaneously trying not to burn the camper (this week: close call ahead). Here’s a peek into Week 17 in our Himalayan foothills (okay, Colorado foothills) stay at Loveland, CO - and yes, I found the perfect excuse to use the words foothills and free fried onions in the same post.

Bank meets Boneless Onion Rings

Late one morning, Darren and I met our son Logan at the bank so he could become a signatory on our safe-deposit box (because apparently even RVers need something safe and little less wobble-worthy than our 5th-wheel).

Here’s the twist: Darren had a gift-card to Texas Roadhouse (TRH) thanks to a generous patron of On the Vine at Richmond Farms - and he’s been carrying a free Cactus Blossom (fried-onion) coupon like a prize ticket at a county fair. The plan: lunch with Logan at TRH, coupon proudly displayed.

But in classic “Chasing 78°” fashion, Fort Collins’ TRH was not open until 4 pm. Cue dramatic sighs. (I may have thrown in a sad trombone sound effect.) So we diverted to the nearby Old Chicago’s - it’s been years since any of us had been there, and let me tell you: that Italian goodness hit the spot. Conversation flowed, the coupon remained intact for another day, and Logan survived meeting us at the bank (thank goodness).

Farewell to Farming Days

Darren wrapped up his time at On the Vine Farm this week. This time of year the farm isn’t just about veggies - it’s also bursting with unbelievably pretty flowers.

He even dropped off some of the bounty with our friends Alex & Bruce to brighten their refrigerator. It felt like he was saying goodbye to that weekly farm rhythm… and I’ll admit, I miss the spring-&-summer greens already (by “already” I mean “within 24 hours of him saying it was done”).

October Means Spooky Mode: Activated

It’s OCTOBER, folks - and you know I’m here for spooky season. We spent part of our week cruising neighborhoods around the outskirts of the campground, looking for early Halloween décor (because yes, I have my standards).

We’re delaying our own decorations until we hit Florida - because if you put up spooky ghosts and pumpkins in the Rockies in October, snow might think you’ve invited it. (Just kidding - but not really.) For now, we’re enjoying the festivities of others and mentally planning our own “Chasing 78°” yard-display future.

Fire Pits & Friends: Bring on the S’mores

Mid-week we hosted our band-family: KD & the Painkillers band mates Mike & Barry, and their wives Karen & Diane, came over for dessert and fire-pit time.

We laughed, we enjoyed farm-fresh strawberries with pound cake and whipped cream, and we toasted marshmallows - someone burned one (mmm... maybe me?). We mourned the fact that KDPK’s last performance of the summer at Island Grill was coming up (more on that below). Heavy-hearts, but full-bellies.

Last Gig of Summer: Bittersweet Vibes

Yes, KDPK had our final summer performance at Island Grill this week. Bittersweet doesn’t even begin to cover it.

We played, we rocked, we sweated under the stage lights (yes, even in October). The crowd was great, the energy high. Now we officially transition into off-season mode: at-home practice, fielding alternate music plans, and dreaming of when the next stage lights up. It feels like closing chapter one of summer and flipping the page. (Cue dramatic book slam.)

Last (for now) Bike Ride Around Town

Inspired by the crisp fall air and that “we really should get one more ride in before the weather turns” feeling, Darren and I hopped on our bikes for what turned out to be our farewell loop around Loveland. We pedaled through familiar neighborhoods, waved to folks raking leaves, and cruised along our favorite stretch of the Loveland bike trail - just soaking in those last golden hints of summer.

Somewhere along the route, we stumbled upon one of those adorable tiny free libraries, tucked under a tree and painted with cheerful little mountains and flowers. Naturally, I braked like a magpie spotting something shiny. I’d been carrying around a paperback - The Woman in the Window - that Darren’s sister, Lorieta, had passed along to me earlier this year when we visited. She told me to keep it (probably knowing how unlikely it is that I return books in this nomadic lifestyle).

I really enjoyed the story - creepy, twisty, perfect for spooky season - but as full-time RVers, every ounce counts! So, I happily slipped it into the little library to share with the next curious reader. It felt oddly symbolic: lightening our load while leaving a small piece of our journey behind.

By the time we rolled back to the campground, the sun was low, our legs were jelly, and I had that cozy mix of satisfaction and sentimentality. The perfect end to our Loveland riding chapter - until the next trail calls.

Big Band Jam at Drake’s House

And speaking of turning wheels, our good friend and the “D” in KD & the Painkillers, Drake hosted a band-jam at his house, and it was epic. Old buddies: drummer Johnny O, bassist Mark, guitarist Mike (yep, also from KDPK), singer/guitarist Clayton, and a slew of new friends on guitar, vocals, mandolin, and fiddle.

The vibes were high, the jamming unstoppable, and the fellowship? Priceless. It was fun being in the mix, among music friends, sharing my passion. And Darren? He stood by, enjoyed the tunes, and took mental notes for my “one-day bass riff” plan.

Dinner & Dogs & Great Danes – Oh My!

Last but not least: dinner and drinks with our pals Alex & Bruce at friends’ house in Greeley - Tricia & Kevin. We also got to meet their dogs… and my personal fave: their sweet Great Dane (huge paws + wagging tail + gentle demeanor = adorable chaos).

We talked travel, music, “what’s next,” and laughed until dessert. It felt like that cozy moment of “home” in the middle of this moving-around life - exactly what we’re chasing.

Thanks for hopping along for another chapter. I’m counting down the miles until Florida, until decorations go up, until the next fire-pit night. Until then: we’ll keep the wheels rolling, the music playing, and the free-fried-onion coupon ready.

Cheers!

-Chasing 78° 🚐😎🌽 👻 🚴‍♀️ 🎶🔥🍷 #Chasing78 #RVLife #LovelandCO #SpookySeason #BandLife #BikeTrails #FarmFresh #FriendsAndFirepits #GreatDaneLove #FullTimeRVing #FriendsAreBest