YOUR AD HERE »

Happy New Year

Mike Vidakovich
Post Independent
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
Mike Vidakovich
ALL |

Summer is finally coming to an end, and I’m glad.

It’s just too hot for me in Glenwood anymore, and it doesn’t rain very much. Not like it used to.

It was unthinkable in the summers of my youth for the mercury to reach 90 degrees around here, and every afternoon my mom would order me to help her bring in sheets and clothes from the clothesline because the inevitable, daily rain showers were soon to come.



I always look forward to the bright colors and cooler temperatures of the fall. September’s Labor Day ushers in what I regard as my New Years Day – the start of a new school year.

I miss the energy and enthusiasm of the children during the summer months. Seeing them on the first day of school is like a renaissance for me. A new beginning.



Fall also means football. That’s reason enough to get excited.

Whether it’s the pros, college, or the local high school gridders, it’s all there for you to soak in every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The experts aren’t predicting much success for our collegiate teams in Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, but the anticipation of the new Bronco season should be enough to get you on the edge of your seat.

Everything is going to work out well for the Orange and Blue this season. All the ingredients seem to be properly placed in the mixing bowl. Keep everyone healthy, especially that man from Tennessee behind center, and the Broncos could go far.

It will be fun to watch each week as the season plays out.

Start making your soon-to-be-broken resolutions. The new year is almost upon us.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get out and test your fitness and leg speed in some local footraces. Here are some that are coming up in the area:

The Glenwood Springs High School cross country team will be hosting three races this fall. The Red Mountain three- and four-mile trail races will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, the Glenwood XC 5K on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Colorado Mountain College-Spring Valley campus and the Demon 5K on Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the field west of GSHS.

The Glenwood Triathlon is Sunday, Sept. 9. In Marble, the Lead King Loop 15- and eight-mile trail races will be run on Sunday, Sept. 16. Oct. 6 is the scenic Glenwood Canyon Shuffle half marathon and 5K. Also in October will be the Banzai Trail 5K in West Glenwood on the 27th.

The Wulfsohn Mountain Trails around the Glenwood Springs Community Center will serve as the host for the new run on Thanksgiving Day this year, and don’t forget the Jingle Bell Run at Independence Run and Hike in Carbondale just before Christmas.

I enjoyed every minute of watching the Olympics, and I watched every minute that I could.

Of course, my favorite athlete was swimmer Missy Franklin. What a wonderful girl and a great role model for kids and everyone in our country. In any country, for that matter.

Franklin is a young lady who is mature and humble far beyond her 17 years. I’m glad we’ll get to watch her compete in a few more Olympic Games and maybe make a run at Michael Phelps’ Olympic medal record.

Speaking of Phelps, he comes across, personality wise, as just the opposite of Franklin.

When he speaks, bits and pieces of arrogance slowly seep into most of what he says. He sure can swim, but I was hard pressed to root for him.

Mike Vidakovich is a freelance sports writer for the Post Independent.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.