Up and Down El Rio Blanco: Pay attention

It has been fun traveling around the state the past couple of weeks watching our local kids compete but I was reminded of my need to pay attention to my driving, especially in Meeker.
I traveled to Denver a couple of weeks ago to watch eight Rio Blanco County wrestlers compete in the 2012 Colorado State Wrestling Championships in the Pepsi Center and last Saturday I drove to Kremmling to watch three of our high school basketball teams compete in the district tournament.
We sure do live in a beautiful state and I don’t mind driving when the roads are good, which they were last Saturday. My wife was traveling to Colorado Springs the same day. Thanks to modern technology, we were able to talk to each other while on the road.
I called my wife from the top of Rabbit Ears Pass. She was on top of Hoosier Pass when we spoke. We both mentioned how beautiful the scenery around us was, under clear blue skies with a feeling of being on top of the world in both places.
I enjoy watching our kids compete and the highlight was witnessing the Meeker boys win the district tournament.
Thirteen hours and 300 miles later, I returned safely to Meeker. After driving through town to see “what was happening” on a Saturday night in Meeker at 8:30 (which wasn’t much … I was the only car on the street), I turned off Market Street onto Main Street. I noticed the flashing lights when I turned north on Sixth Street.
“Oh no,” I thought, thinking of what I may have done to get pulled over. It’s not the first time I’ve been pulled over and ticketed. Thankfully, I’ve learned my lesson and it has been almost 14 years since I made the mistake of driving after drinking. I’ve been stopped for speeding a couple of times, but I’m usually a very conscientious driver, except for the other night, I guess.
The officer who pulled me over was not a local policeman or a deputy sheriff, but a Colorado State patrolman.
“Do you know why I pulled you over,” the officer asked, flashlight in hand.
“No sir,” I replied.
“I watched you make three turns and never use your blinker and you did not come to a complete stop at two stop signs,” he said, and requested my driver’s license, insurance and registration.
I apologized, didn’t argue and told the officer I was just getting back from Kremmling, from the district basketball tournament. He asked how the teams did and I told him.
My “paperwork” was in order and I was hoping to just get a warning but that wasn’t the case. He told me he was going to write me a citation but would give me a break and only cite me for one of each infraction. He also gave me a $1 break by not correctly adding the fine and surcharges, so it will only cost me $199.50 and not $200.50. What a way to end the day!
Pay attention, Bobby, and be thankful!