We've hit Colorado before but never visited Denver which was the intention of this trip. Colorado, according to a review last week was officially recognised as the nicest state to live in America. One can see why with the mountains and big open spaces but this trip was to see us in the city and the beautiful suburb of Englewood as much as play in the mountains. Steve has been investing in a business with headquarters here so obviously a side trip was needed. There was of course yet more basketball to watch and an opportunity to catch up with a dear friend that I haven't seen properly in 9 years and finally more skiing.
So first stop Denver. This mile high city is in the basin below the rockies and is as flat as a pancake. Our arrival downtown onto 14th and Stout had us staying at Embassy Suites. A great and reasonably priced option for a family as the hotel room came with a small separate living space that could handle the huge amount of luggage we have with us. The hotel is opposite the convention centre and I think we were probably the only people staying who were not part of a convention but Embassy provided a complementary buffet breakfast and access to a swimming pool and gym which we appreciated. I’m informed that while the hotel was good for us the location to 16th Street mall is a bit undesirable. Once we stepped outside we understood why. While we were on 14th we had to walk to 16th for the movies (we watched Gods of Egypt (which kids enjoyed and Steve and I thought was a bit useless) and also some lunch. I’m trying not to exaggerate but we passed about 100 homeless walking the street or sitting on the free tram. The shear volume upset the kids. The woman blowing smoke into her newborn baby’s face upset me, but there you go, Denver as perfect as the State is, is just like every other city.
What’s not so similar is their tax rebate. Marijuana is legal here and it’s taxed at 20%. In year one everyone got a tax rebate and in year two the public asked for the excess funds be put towards public education. We’ve learnt a lot about the legalizing of weed while here. (Learnt not tried and tested for the record!) The money coming in to government coffers is a definite bonus as well as its medicinal use, however on the flip side there is still illegal trading and there is a bit of concern by parents as to the location of the ‘shops’. Personally I just hope that some of this money helps the homeless.
So this aside, 16th street did offer two salvations. Firstly we had the best coffee since arriving in the US! For those outside Australia, I confess Aussies are snobs when it comes to coffee with local baristas known by name and more importantly know your brew and coffee bars more popular than church or pub. While in the States it’s been a never-ending search for a coffee that hits the ‘Australian’ standard. Starbucks just doesn’t do it. On Tuesday we hit jackpot with coffee from Cooks Fresh Market on 16th. It was so good we went back twice.
The lunch there was also amazing as, was the protein bar next door, so we didn’t starve.
So enough of food and coffee, what is there to do in Denver? Lots but we didn't have much time. We gave the children’s museum a miss as it’s aimed at the under 8’s but I’m told it ‘s great. Instead we took Kyran and Erin to the US Mint. I use the word ‘We’ loosely, as Steve forgot to read the small print and didn’t inform me that absolutely no bags can be taken in. No ‘fanny packs’ (yes, it’s a real term) no rucksacks and certainly no large handbag carrying kids snacks. So I traipsed home before the nice gentleman who worked at the mint, with the unlatched gun decided I was trouble. They may call everyone ‘Mam’ but they really mean ‘sucker’ when they have their hands on one of those.
Kids loved the Mint. It was very educational, who knew that it was privately owned and making the company 350 million a year!!!! And of course now we have something else to collect (25cents/ quarters from national parks).
We didn’t get to the Natural museum but we did, of course, get to more basketball. Steve’s ‘contact’ is the GM of Denver Nuggets. All access pass for the game. I’m so happy for my family – I spent most of the game checking out the family in front who went through (each) 2 burgers and fries, candy floss, a gallon of coke, and a couple of ice creams. It didn’t stop me consuming and the highlight of the night for me was being asked ID when buying a glass of wine.
Denver also included ‘business’. One business meeting included myself and the kids at Sam’s no 3. It’s a bit of an institution and if you like your breakfasts the size of lunch and dinner combined this may be the place for you. Personally we kept it small but I can see the appeal.
The other highlight for the Dunn family in Denver was the bookshop. Kyran had already finished his books from Park City and was looking for more. When we came across the ‘Tattered Cover Book Store’ Kyran had a fit similar to a 5 year old at Christmas. It’s huge and we had a fun few hours browsing and buying books and looking for reading glasses for Steve who has entered middle age and like the rest of us is needing to increase his ‘IPhone text’ to see properly! I bought myself the small introduction to the American Revolution. Figured one needs to know a bit more about the background to politics!
So post our two days in Denver city was the best bit for me. I caught up with my London buddy, Claire Maree Lindsay. Those from our London days 1997-2001 will remember her. Last time we caught up was for 24 hours in Breckenridge in 2008. Prior to this was Colorado Springs in 2007 when we spent two weeks together with our babies. So effectively it’s 9 years since we’ve since each other. The trip didn’t disappoint. Apart from taking the sun with us which allowed everyone to stay outside, our children got on like a house on fire and we barely saw them as they ran around playing Nerf, blowing air-darts at balloons, sewing clothes for teddies (that’s obviously Erin) and learning to walk on a tight rope. Girls had a high tea in the city while boys watched ice hockey.
Russ and Claire took us to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Host to some of the biggest bands in the world, it is a natural phenomenon at the foot of the Rockies. Spectacular scenery and kept us all out of breath climing up and I could understand why, on the day we visited it was more like a fitness centre as locals use the steep steps as an exercise regime.
We left on Monday after 4 days drinking, dining and generally wondering where the years have gone. Determined not to leave it another 9 years (when boys will be 21) before we catch up we said our goodbyes and headed to Breckenridge for Skiing. Claire and Russ were superb hosts and we already miss them!
So, now for more skiing….rock on Breckenridge!
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