I had a work related conference in Denver, Colorado this past week. Since I had to be there 4 days, I thought I should take a friend! Jason was unable to go due to work, so guess who went with me!!
And..knowing the two of us..you can pretty much guess what we did.
Pretty much..I attend seminars, meetings and vendors in the mornings..reserving the afternoons/evenings for play/touring.
We arrive on Sunday..this was our view from our room!
and before you ask..this was the most snow we saw while there..it was actually warmer/sunnier in Denver then Virginia.
We make our way to the top floor bar the first night to enjoy a Colorado brew while enjoying the view
On Monday afternoon, we head to Denver's 16th street mall. It was a little chainy but entertained us for the afternoon.
Now..you probably can't see that Denver has 'killer curbs'.. don't feel badly b/c I couldn't see them either. This was taken about 1 minute after 'missing' the curb completely..the swelling didn't stop with the goose egg.
But I managed to hobble, literally, to the state capital building before going to Walgreens for ice bags and an ankle brace.
that night, we went to the infamous
Buckhorn Exchange. The bar was awesome and quite cozy considering all the wondering eyes. Kristen is actually perusing the menu..cleverly disguised as a newspaper!
The state mascot watched over us
After seated..this was my view to the front..
and the rear..
Keep with tradition of eating anything possible..we dined on Rocky Mountain Oysters, ostrich, yak, buffalo and quail.
It was Monday night and to our surprise, Monday Night Football was being played in Denver between the Broncos and the Steelers..I had to take a photo of the stadium from our hotel room during the game.
On Tuesday afternoon, we headed to see the stadium up close. So we conquered the light rail and rode to Mile High Stadium
I like this angle..
Then we decided to dive in to the Denver culture and hit the multiple microbreweries in the city. We managed to hit Great Divide brewery, Breckenridge, Falling Rock and Wynkoop. I was able to snap a photo in Breckenridge..they had some good beer.
Before bed on Tuesday..I took another photo of the ankle to show the progress. The brace and alleve were saviors. Had I not been in another city..I would have been on the couch with my foot up.
On Wednesday, I 'play hooky' and we rent a car and head to Boulder, CO. I am very glad we did. Denver..well it is a city and really beyond the breweries had nothing other cities don't offer (with reduced oxygen). But Boulder..was a cool town. They had an outdoor street market too which had some really cool stores. Kristen was the navigator throughout the trip.
Then..once it turned noon..we started with the breweries in Boulder. Which apparently has more microbreweries per capita then any other city in the US.
Mountain Sun Ales 'taster' tray.
Boulder brewing companies 'taster' tray..this about killed us.
and now.. you are probably thinking..WHAT?? No Wine?? Rest assured dinner included wine most nights and on Monday we visited a few wine tastings in stores..but really had no luck with wineries. And we are the first to admit we much prefer wine over beer...s0 on Wednesday on our way back from Boulder, we stopped at Balistreri Winery. It was great! This is more like it!
We bought a case. ;-}
On Thursday morning, we boarded the plane to head back to the wet and windy Virginia. it was good to see the kids!
I will leave you with my foot right now..It is Friday and I injured in on Monday. It feels kind of like it looks today..puffy and bruised.
I am thankful for distractions in the country
I am thankful for those that feel the need to protect the land from said distractions..no matter how silly it may seem..
I am thankful my kids aren't particularly 'stealthy' and don't seem to know which direction the aforementioned distraction came from...or went.
I am thankful my parents have a mini horse lot so the hounds can play and not be cooped up the whole holiday.
I am thankful Henry is not aware he is 10 years old
I am thankful for friends who come visit while I am in town..only to pay more attention to the minis..they are darn cute.
I am thankful that my 'not cat tolerant' hound Dana pretends not to be during the holidays
I am thankful my dogs allow me to do stupid things to them during the holidays
And I am thankful Henry not only had a wonderful first road trip..but that he was well received
And even seemed to enjoy playing dishes with my nephew Boone.
And I am thankful to all my blog readers..I look forward to posting entries and I hope you enjoy reading them.
