DAY 8: Happy Birthday, My Friend Israel.......

DAY 8:  July 11, 2011 - Manitou Springs, CO
TEMP:  75 Degrees

About four years ago, soon after we purchased our first RV, Chuck and I came to Manitou Springs for the very first time.  We had only planned on staying a couple days.....long enough to zoom up Pikes Peak on the trike and then head home.......but something happened when we arrived in this whimsical little town.  We fell in love with it........and we stayed a week.

Before we headed up Pikes Peak on the trike that year, we high-tailed it over to the Honda shop to have the front tire replaced......just in case.  While we were waiting for the tire to be replaced, I remember meeting Israel.  Now Israel was a local Colorado Springs Harley guy that just liked hanging out at the Honda shop (personally, I think he's a "closet" Honda biker; he just doesn't know it yet).  We became fast friends and exchanged email addresses and have kept up with each other ever since.

Each year when we come to Manitou Springs, we hook up with our friend Israel for lunch or dinner; and today was that day!  And how lucky for us that today was also his BIRTHDAY.  We celebrated over Mexican food and terrific conversation and then a little hanging out at the RV just before the afternoon storms rolled in over the mountains.

It's interesting traveling like we do..........we meet the nicest, kindest people along the way, each with their own story....who now are permanently incorporated into our lives.  I just love that.......

So, Happy Birthday, My Dear Friend Israel......May there be many many more and may our friendship continue for years to come.

Be sure and check out the video we just uploaded onto YouTube of our trip down Pikes Peak last week......Hope you're not afraid of the edge........

http://youtu.be/Y9dMrunVCp8