1675 Briargate Blvd. Suite A Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Across from the Chapel Hills Mall
719-574-1705
Our Journal of Living in Colorado Springs
2/26/11 Month 6We Love it Here!!
My name is Elisabeth and I have been married to Dr. Robert Levens for almost 22 years now. We moved to Colorado Springs in the middle of August, 2010. Since we have been here we have been asked two particular questions over and over: 1) "I hear an accent, where are you from?" and 2)"What brought you here?"
The first question is an easy one to answer. Robert and I both were born and raised in Texas. We moved from Lufkin, Texas which is about two hours north and east of Houston. We enjoyed almost everything there: tall green pine tree forests, natural lakes, hunting, fishing, friendly neighbors...and extreme humidity and hotter than heck summers.
The second question is little more difficult to answer. We didn't get transferred here and we aren't in the military. Robert has wanted to live in the mountains since he served in the Air Force as a Captain/dentist and did a tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We prayed about it and at just the right time we sold our dental practice in Lufkin and purchased a practice in Colorado Springs.
We consider our move here a leap of faith and a great adventure! The first day we arrived at our new home one of our neighbors stopped to introduce herself but was a bit out of breath. She explained that she had just been approached by a mother bear and two cubs! Apparently she was standing between the bears and an open garbage can. Instead of following all of the rules of "man meet bear" she ran and ran and didn't look back. This was our first day here. And our first lesson about keeping our garbage in the garage with the door down!
Our family is enjoying the distinct season changes. This past fall we watched in amazement as the leaves changed with the colors so deep, brilliant and magnificent. Everyone kept telling us that this past fall was atypically mild but we didn't mind! It was wonderful for us. Now we are experiencing winter and include trying to drive in the snow and ice a sport just as skiing and snow boarding! Yesterday morning there was a light snow an it turned all of the trees and the ground completely white. My daughters told me that it reminded them of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. We understand Lucy's awe as she tumbled out of the wardrobe and into the white, glistening Narnia. Our neighborhood was Narnia! Gorgeous!
A few weeks ago one of my daughters and I took advantage of some great temperatures and climbed the Incline in Manitou. In the same time that I climbed half of the Incline and took the trail down, my daughter went up and down the Incline. She was, in fact, waiting for me at the bottom! I had to stop so many times and sit down on the railroad cross ties to catch my breath. The view from there was absolutely incredible! We love it here!
We have so much to learn in our great Colorado adventure! As I sat resting on the railroad cross ties I met young and old, tourists and natives on their way up the Incline. A lot of people brought their dogs with them and some were just carrying their dog collars/leashes with them. I assumed that their dogs had wandered off sniffing the mountain...then I saw a man wearing the dog collar/leash on the bottom of his shoes! I figured out that these attach to your shoes to keep you from slipping on the snow and ice. That did explain a lot of missing dogs!! So much to learn!
Since we have been here we have met so many friendly and helpful people. Some people stick out - like our realtor and her hubbie - Cherise and Gordon Selley - fantastic people who have made a difference in our move here! Also; Cheryl and her husband Matt, Luke, Carrie, and Karin...our dental patients and so many others! We are loving it here and are glad to be here, did I say that already?
Come by and say hi! Exceptional Dentistry is across the street from the Chapel Hills mall (directly across from Dick's). We would love to meet you.