Hospitals shouldn't be thought of as resorts or hotels or anything, but with a view like this, you can see why someone might get them confused. Today's photo is of the view of Pikes Peak from Colorado Springs city owned Memorial Hospital Central. Some of the rooms in the upper stories can even see the Garden of the Gods. We've spent some extra time there this week for my mother in law. After a very successful shoulder replacement, she developed some other issues that have resulted in her needing to be readmitted for a while.
She started out at the Emergency Room at Memorial North (at Union and Briargate Parkway), which was so close to our house in Briargate that I actually walked home while my wife stayed with her longer. Unfortunately, due to her need for kidney dialysis, they have had to move her to Central (there is no renal unit at North), so we are back to the extra 20+ minutes of driving each way to visit her. This commute is about to improve, as the overpass of Austin Bluffs over Union is done, and the "cone zone" almost ready to completely disappear. That has been a long time coming, but should really speed up both the north-south and east-west flow of traffic. Memorial Central is right next to the Olympic Training Center (at Boulder and Union), and is a landmark building here.

The forecast snow never did show up, but the cold did! It is a brisk 28 degrees or so out this morning, and even colder forecast overnight tonight.

My mother-in-law had another surgery this week. The health care system in Colorado Springs is really quite good, we have been very pleased with the care she has received for her many maladies. We are starting to call her the Bionic Grandma, as this was her 3rd joint replacement (hip, knee and now shoulder)! We now have 4 regular hospitals (Penrose Main, Memorial Central, Penrose - St Francis North, and Memorial North), in addition to military hospitals and some specialized care facilities. Memorial North is only 1 1/2 years old, and Penrose - St Francis North is only a couple of months old.
After this week's wild ride in the stock market, interest rates settled back down to 6.5%, and gas prices dropped to $2.85. While that is small consolation to anyone selling stock at the bottom, it is a pleasant side effect for everyone else, even "Joe the Plumber" :-)
Today's photo is of Pikes Peak last Sunday morning, taken from the Shops at Briargate. I love the 1st snows on the Peak.

It was a little sad to see the official announcement of the closure of Penrose Community Hospital this coming August. I suppose it was inevitable, with the St Francis Medical north campus opening at Woodmen and Powers, there are only so many beds really needed. We have made good use of that old building in the 16 plus years we've been here. Our 2nd grandchild was born there, and we've spent many a sleepless night in the ER with various family members. Our first visit to the ER there was almost 17 years ago, during our first week in Colorado Springs!

The new hospitals are good too though. The new Memorial Hospital which will celebrate it's first anniversary this year is a really quite something, and so convenient for our family here in Briargate. Our 3rd grandchild will be born there in February. The new St Francis Medical Center is gorgeous as well, and I know everyone will love it when it opens in August of '08.

Todays photo of Pike Peak was taken Sunday from the new Chili's at Powers and Union, and shows the new Memorial Hospital in the foreground.