I’m settled back in and ready to face a new day after being gone for a conference last week. While I learned some things that can help my day job, I was there because I’m the Vice President of the Governing Board of my local Educational Service Center. The conference was held at the Broadmoor, a legendary hotel and resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Our wonderful Superintendent gave a presentation at the conference and she invited me and our Board President to go along. I joined the board during Covid and haven’t had a lot of opportunities to participate in conferences or other learning events so I jumped at the invitation. 

This turned out to be a wonderful trip despite some hiccups and, in some cases, the hiccups enhanced the experience. The Broadmoor lives up to its reputation in more ways than I can count. It’s possible I will be ruined for life and am still mourning the lack of turndown service at my home. The thoughtful lighting choices, classical music and chocolate left on the nightstand made going back to the room a real treat every night. 

Plus, they got a few inches of snow while we were there that enhanced the Broadmoor’s absolutely gorgeous Christmas decorations. On our first night there, I awoke around 4 a.m. and was delighted to find myself in what appeared to be a Christmas snowglobe. 

Our Superintendent had put together an agenda that allowed us to be at the conference and get out to experience some of Colorado. As it turns out, the snow which made the world seem so magical also made the world more challenging. Our breakfast spot that first morning was closed for weather as was the Garden of the Gods where we were to take a tour. Snow also prevented us from making it to the top of PIke’s Peak. 

That’s ok because the three of us get along well and had no trouble pivoting to do other things. Better yet, we had a great time on those pivots. As I so often find to be true, what we do when things go awry can be even better than the plans. 

And I’m grateful that was the case. 

I complained the other day (once again) about the state of air travel. Yet, I want to stop a moment and encourage you to think about the miracle it is that we can get on a plane in Ohio and, in a few short hours, be halfway across the country.  Trips that once took days in a car now take a fraction of the time. 

I’m also grateful to every person who played a role in making my travel safe this trip. My two companions did all our driving and took good care of us even in weird traffic situations and on slick roads. Shuttle and car drivers, pilots, and the crews who keep all these vehicles operating are rock stars. I thanked all our drivers for a safe journey.

So, it’s back to work and back to the real world today. There are no doormen in fancy uniforms and no one to give me fresh towels so I guess I’ll go back to doing those things for myself! 

Stay tuned. I will tell you more about the Broadmoor, the PIke’s Peak Cog Railway and some things we saw sightseeing around Manitou Springs.