I’m always pleasantly surprised when fun business opportunities cross my desk.
Top it off with a place I’ve never been before and you’ve got one happy traveler.
This time a client I’ve previously worked with came calling once again, and once again the backdrop would be rugby, but the location changed to gorgeous Denver, Colorado. I guess technically this would be my second time to Denver, but the first time I touched down in the Mile High City I was 17 on my way to a skiing trip. I only really remember the airport how it looked almost two decades ago now.
Yikes. Insert old person joke here. Werther’s Original anyone?
My hurt feelings aside… Denver is a quick flight from McCarran into Denver International Airport. I feel asleep before we took off and only woke up once we landed. I used to be an incredibly nervous flyer, but now I’m probably that guy that snores waaaay too loud in public places.
It was around 9p.m. but I found myself outside with a number of other travelers all hailing ride shares. There’s no real organization to it at this airport, like a lot of others I might add, and I witnessed Uber’s and Lyft’s of all sorts triple and some times quadruple parked trying to find their correct passengers.
It was a chaotic scene and I’m surprised no one got hurt.
My Uber driver and I, luckily, spotted each other very quickly and we made it on the long road to the Glendale suburb where I would be staying.
It was a nearly 35 minute drive so my driver and I had a nice, long talk.
You really can find out what makes people tick by asking the right questions during long drives. Within the first few minutes, my driver (and older man) and I were laughing and sharing stories about our kids, work and family lives.
He was an admitted ski junkie now that he was formally retired and drove for Uber three days a week so he could ski the other four. He shared proud stories about watching his son graduate and join my line of work, and a humorous story about his ex-wife.
Could Uber really be the thing that brings people back together?
Before long the trip was over and I found the Blonde Bombshell at the Courtyard Marriott Cherry Creek, who was once again on official work duty for her employer, for a quick bite to eat for a late dinner… at a Black Eyed Pea restaurant of all places. I thought they all shut down for some reason.
The next two days were a blur of activity.
Corporate video production is organized chaos. You have an outline of agreed upon scope for work, but then things always change just a bit to keep it all interesting.
My love for World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series rugby, and my continued admiration for the women’s league, only grew stronger after getting to watch more matches at Infinity Park at Glendale. It’s home to the professional rugby team the Glendale Raptors and it’s a beautiful sports complex!
A decade ago, Glendale’s leaders developed a bold plan: The future of the city would be built around the sport of rugby.
Infinity park glendale website
They have stadium seats right at field level and it reminded me of my football days. The fresh cut grass and the smell of the field paint brought back Friday night memories and had me wishing I could take the field to play a few games.
Let’s be real: these ladies would kill me like a small animal, but the entire weekend I found myself staring at the field thinking about days that have passed.
Once again, the trip went by too quickly, and when you’re hired to do a job, there isn’t much time to sight see. Fortunately, my wife and I got to enjoy some peaceful evenings with good friends from her company who are not only good colleagues but great people.
Sitting at the airport, waiting for our late night flight, I felt a little bummed that I didn’t get to see more of the city, but that’s how it goes some times.
Yes, I sometimes admire those travel bloggers who live life on the road where their days seem to be filled with picture perfect Instagram shots from the top of a beautiful mountain.
Not every trip is going to be like that though. Sometimes we’ll just have to open our laptops, not to edit photos, but to just do some work to pay for the next trip. That’s ok too.
If you look hard enough, you can find your moments in the chaos.
Infinity Park, Glendale, CO 
Two teams ready to face off Fans from all over the world, loving the game This is Rugbytown baby! Fans show their support for their favorite rugby teams and players
