Luxery Apartment

How we came to stay our last two nights in style

Couchsurfing (CS) is an awesome website, idea and culture of traveling. I highly recommend it to any who travel for pleasure often and without children or pets (it gets a little rough with those). When we first arrived in Fort Collins we couches a plenty, but as the first week was coming to a close choices were rapidly thinning. Becky, our next supposed host, was unreachable, and none of the other multiple offers were panning out. We did get offered a warehouse with no heat as an option, but Tanya wasn't so excited about that.

In our original search for couches I sent a message out to the CS community at large. For the first time ever, someone whom I didn't contact e-mailed us and offered a couch based on my citywide post. Betty, we shall call her, said we were more than welcome to stay at her place anytime we were in a pinch. There was only one caviot. We shouldn't both be there at the same time because her place was too small, and we would all be super cramped. She said we should call her in a pinch.

Surfing with God's Girls for a few was slightly uncomfortable for whatever reason, and we both felt the itch to find a new couch. Passing on the warehouse, I tried to call Patrick, who we met in person at a coffee shop, but he too was unreachable. We could have always gone back with Jess and Austin, but I didn't want to impose. I decided to give 'Betty' a call.

She was off snowboarding in New York somewhere, I believe. She said it was no problem and her friend could unlock the door for us no problem. She was going over to feed the snake anyway. Sight unseen, this gal was opening her home to us. Wow. In one of her texts she said 'don't steal anything'. Well I was going to, but since you asked nicely I guess I won't... hehe

We got to her place, not really knowing what to expect. What we got was about as far down on the list as a mansion. The first thing that grabbed me was the two bad ass Trek mounting bike. Easily a grand a piece. The TV was replaced with a huge Mac computer. Two and a half Gs, no prob. Her bed was a memory foam king with silk sheets, and the traditional couch space had been replaced by some crazy and super comfy lounging chair. This chick had money!

Don't steal anything. We could make out like bandits. Of course we didn't, but the trust offered us was amazing. We took photos to make sure everything was left as it was before we got there. Oddly enough, the bed hurt both of our backs, so we ended up sleeping on the floor the second night. I took out the trash, and she even had scented trash bags... must be nice. 

We ended up sleeping there two nights with a key to come and go as we pleased. Dogs aren't allowed in her apartment, but she was cool with it. We took Beau out during the day so he wouldn't bark and Simon got to sleep in the truck so he wouldn't terrorize the place while we slept.

We have yet to meet this chick, but it will have to happen soon. We're going to try and cook some dinner for her. Much cheaper than taking her out. We're poor. With no jobs to speak of yet, disposable income isn't too high for the moment. 

In any case, Thanks Betty! What started out so stressful and tiring ended wonderfully because of your generosity. Oh yea, she also drives a jeep, rides horses, and is apparently a 4x4 enthusiast. What a gal :)

God's Girls

Wonderful hosts

Plesant and welcoming

Warm in a way different from us

The bathroom wall cross collection

 - Quite cool -

Awkward and comfortable

Two gals and one dog

Yet by the end,

It was time to go.

Upon a high note did we depart

Until our paths once again cross

As with each of our hosts so far

I count them among friends.

Hello Blog-o-sphere

Fort Collins

We arrived in our home city to be but a week ago, and somehow I expected to be well into the job hunt -post housing. We haven't even started. The lack of a place to live has taken over our brains, or mine at least. We want to work close to where we live, and we want to live near Old Town, which is Fort Collins downtown, on the cheap. We're super poor, you know. No one is renting though.  It's the wrong time of year. Bahahrrgrhrgh. That was a noise of frustration in case you were wondering... :)

Really though, aside from my expectations and what naturally follows when life has different plans, Fort Collins has treated us well. We've slept under a roof and in the company of friends from day one, and there appear to be plenty of more willing hosts on the horizon if our immediate future doesn't involve housing. 

The Tent Room

Jess and Austin were the first to open their home to us, and they were completely awesome. A half case of Killians and red wine were our welcome for sleeping in their awesome indoor tent room. Doesn't get much better. On day one we all went hiking in the sorta snowy weather, which Tanya squealed in excitement about a few times. 

Can you see me?

The days are running somewhat together now. Providence: Unknowingly and accidentally moving to the first state to legalize weed two days after the law was passed (it's still illegal federally, btw). Sounds about right. I can't say that it would be good for everyone to smoke, but I can say that it's a whole lot less harmful than drinking. It's legal to kill people (in war) to get drunk, to pop pills (as prescribed) but till now, getting high wasn't... I'm glad someone figured out this was a ridiculous state of things and changed it. Kudos Colorado! Technically Washington was right there with them, but I still like to think CO was first. Once their prison pop goes down, drug enforcement becomes cheaper and tax revenue goes through the roof, 

I have a feeling more liberal states will follow.

In other news, it's cold. Tanya has been pretty well prepared, but it's still somewhat of a shock to the system. Biking is the most interesting of events, covered with layers and layers, plus one hairy leg exposed to keep from ripping holes in my pants. 

Posthumous road trip blogs to come. Keep those eyes peeled!

Peace world

Seth

In the meantime...

Tanya rocking her new coat