getting to Durango

If you didn't notice, the post below ended with a cliffhanger! Or so I thought...

world's best airport

12.30
Having checked-in for my flight on my phone the night before, I woke up early to print my boarding pass. As I attempted to do so, I got an error message that said online check-in was not available for my flight- upon further review, it was cancelled.  How do they just decide "No, that flight's not happening. Sorry!" ?? What do you do in this situation? I called the customer "service" phone number and was placed on hold due to their current large volume of incoming calls. My parents were both awake to take me to the airport and we decided it was best to head out there in case I never got through on the phone, I could talk to a real human at the check-in desk, or maybe get rebooked on a new flight.  50 minutes later, as we were pulling up to the passenger check-in row, I was finally connected to an agent who rebooked me on the next flight out at 3:50 p.m. While I was disappointed I was going to miss a whole day in Durango, I was glad that at least we were able to turn around, go home and go back to bed.  Later that morning I went to Costco with my mom and she bought me an amazing set of luggage as a late Christmas gift (tip: Costco's luggage is awesome). When we came home, I re-packed my bags, took a shower and was finally ready to move onto the next leg of my trip.
 The Broncos game was starting at 3, and I was glad to know I would be able to watch it in the airport. When the girl at security checked my ID and said "Texas??" I almost lost it.  "I'M FROM HERE! MY WHOLE FAMILY LIVES HERE! I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE! I JUST LIVE IN TEXAS NOW!" said the girl in the Peyton Manning t-shirt, blue button-down shirt, and bright orange Patagonia jacket. The TSA agent said "I was wondering why you were such a big Broncos fan." ugh. One thing I did not love about being in Colorado were the sideways glances I got from everyone checking my ID. Coloradoans don't love Texans, but it sucks when you're a native with a Texas ID and everyone judges you.

tap the Rockies

Through security and in a better emotional state than I had been in the past 24 hours, I found a spot at the bar of the airport Chophouse Brewery to watch the game. It was going well, and fun to watch sitting next to strangers. Finished up my beer as boarding time neared, only to see that my flight had been delayed an hour. EXPLETIVE!!! My seat at the bar was taken so I found a different bar and had another beer.  Then I spent halftime wandering (a little tipsy) around the terminal, extremely tempted by all wonderful things for sale at the Denver airport gift shops. Found a third and final bar right next to my gate to watch the end of the game. The man sitting next to me was also going to Durango.  He actually turns the water on and watches the house for Linda! What a coincidence! Being 3 beers deep, this dude was my new bff.  He even got me the seat next to him in first class, and we chit chatted the entire flight. What a nice guy!
FINALLY landed in Durango, and couldn't have been happier to see Guy when he picked me up.  The house is gorgeous, dinner was delicious and I was so relieved to finally be in Durango with the Fitz family.