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One of the great pleasures of living in Colorado Springs is that we are home to the United States Air Force Academy. Doug and I are doubly blessed in that we live very close to the AFA and every May we get a spectacular free air show as the cadets graduate and the Thunderbirds pay tribute to the graduates!
We were nervous this year as we had 5 days of rain in a row- a somewhat rare, especially in May. Aparently, there has been an outdoor ceremony ever year since 1959, so I’m sure students an parents alike were concerned that this year might break the long standng record. Good ole Mother came through for us as Graduation Day was met with blue skies and faint traces of white clouds.
It is truly a spectacular site seeing the Thunderbirds fly over – again and again. We get such a surge of patriotism as we see these gifted pilots fly in formation and perform precision acrobatics that only talent and practice, practice, practice can demon state. The “show” starts a couple days in advance of graduation as the jets arrive here from their home at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. We have a spectacular view from our house or anywhere in our neighborhood and they do their “fly-overs”. Just south of our house they banki their turns and head over the valley and whoosh they are back again.
We always know when they are here. Colorado Springs is a pretty quite town and especially on the north side of town where the Academy is and where we live. You just don’t hear much noise except for an occasional lawn mower and the faint buzz of the small planes and practice gliders. The sound is unmistakable. My heartbeat always accelerates when the mild roar is heard and as I make a quick run to the windows to try to catch a glimpse of the F16′s. We look forward to this every year. And, now that graduation is over, we know they’ll be back this Fall. They come back every year for football season – just a couple of games – military academy against military academy.
There’s nothing like this. Seeing people stand in the parks, in their yards, or by special permission park on the side of the freeway. For a few minutes we are all united. No politics, no right or left. We stand there and watch the best of the best and know that this is the greatest country in the world.
One thing with Sandals is a wide variety of room choices. You need to do your homework to understand the terminology and what comes with that choice for the money you are paying. Not every room has a stellar view. Big rooms/suites may be close to the pool and noisier than others. Our advice is to determine what is most important to you – is it the view – a larger room with butler service – or just being there and on a budget.
All throughout the property you will notice that it is clean and tidy. Staff members are always on the lookout for trash are grooming the beach and picking up empty dishes. Everywhere you go it shows that they are meticulous about keeping the grounds in tip top shape.
There are ten restaurants at this Sandals Resort; each with its own style and ambience. They range from the very casual to elegant but the service at all of them is special. They serve conch in so many different ways that it becomes a game to figure out what other possible ways there could be. Don’t miss the Baccarat for either breakfast of eggs benedict and caviar to dinner of duck and lamb. There are a wide variety of choices at every meal and remember – it’s all inclusive so don’t be afraid to ask for a little of this and a little of that!
Just a 5 minute boat ride away is the Offshore Island. Don’t miss this. While the whole island is not Sandals property they have all you need for a great time. There is a restaurant, bar, pool, a nice beach, fun music and the spa. Take time to walk thru the gardens and trails to the point of the island to see all the little thatched cabanas. You can make an appointment for your spa treatment and enjoy it right on the island with an amazing ocean view, up close and personal! The boats come and go every hour so you can stay just for lunch, a walk or stay all day and enjoy the seclusion of your own spot on the beach.
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