I have grand plans for visits to Denver and the surrounding area. I have a list of things I want to see and do even after living there for half a year on a work detail (and traveling there a lot for work). My plan has been to knock something out each time I visited... but it doesn't always work out. Shame really because I have some goodies on there, and some places that have been on my list for almost a decade (Dinosaur National Monument, Devils Tower, Aspen & Vail, another visit to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and more). This trip was not that kind of trip. This was to visit two amazing friends on incredible journeys; two friends that are a testament to strength and courage (and health insurance). Longer trips can wait. I had priorities. I needed to check in with my mentor/Denver-mom, cancer ass-kicking Wonder Woman Sue and my amazing strongly, athletic, snarky, fun loving, cancer ass-kicking friend, Megan.
So less than a week after I returned from my Lake Tahoe trip, I was back on a plane. If you fly into or out of the Rockies, you know that you are in for some turbulence.... and this trip did not disappoint. Our 3.5 hour flight was extended by over an hour since the plane tried to fly around an epic thunderstorm. A storm so big I swear I watched lightening dance across the sky for a half hour. Zeus was fighting with someone up there because huge bolts streaked across the clouds with a vicious frequency that it was almost hypnotic. We skirted around most of the storm but flew into the edges as we made our approach into Denver and bounced around so much your stomach entered your throat (and no, I don't get motion sick).
After a good night's sleep, I was ready to hit the ground running. First up - Sue.
Sue and I have a pattern. We walk through Cherry Creek, the Botanical Gardens, the Art Museum. She shook things up this time and surprised me with tickets to the Ballet! Sue and I share a passion for the arts, and she is an active supporter of the Denver Arts community, but heading downtown is not what we typically do... but she is full of surprises. The Colorado Ballet was staging a production of Dracula - perfect for that time of year. I have yet to see it performed. This was a treat to say the least. It had been a year since I have seen a proper ballet and even longer since I patronized the Colorado Ballet Company. 
Before the big event, we headed into the LODO district to share some food and catch up. Being a beautiful day, we sat outside... and we treated to sound checks for the Beer Festival. We could barely head each other most of the time. We rushed through stories in between instruments and laughed because what else could be do. It is always a memorable date with Sue.
After a wonderful time watching a sensual, sexy, hauntingly beautiful performance of Dracula, we wandered a bit to find a place for a drink and conversation! This time, no sound checks! And when she was ready, I brought her home and headed out to Golden to Megan.
I arrived in time for dinner with the family and some more catch up conversation. We spent the next day together outside. We went for a walk down along the river, we took pictures of butterflies, and soaked in the sun. Our imaginary game of baseball with her son was parlayed into a true game of 1-on-1 whiffle ball that evening. 
The family took me to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, not for a show, but just to appreciate its beauty... Red Rocks has been on my list for a long while, I think since I got that Dave Mathews CD - Live at Red Rocks. The sound was amazing. And I do love an outdoor concert. And while there was no concert there, we were treated to a woman playing her cello. It was heavenly. 
After hoofing the endless stairs, enjoying the music and wandering the museum, I was surprised with a trip to the famed Morison buffalo herd. They were close to the viewing area, so I got to soak up some prime American West scenery! I really wanted to capture that perfect shot of the fall leaves with the mountains and bison... I tried! I was happy with this sweeping vista.
Back home, the family cooked for me while I got to act like a kid with the kid! We danced to Ricky Martin while we played with Legos. Can I get paid to do this all the time?
Gorgeous weather did the gold ole' Denver twist and turned on me though. After 2 days of beautiful 70 degree days, a blizzard rolled into town that evening and by the next morning it was a sea of white. Crazy storms coming and going .... that is Denver.
And that was a weekend visiting 2 very important people. They kicked cancer's ass and are living their lives to the fullest. I love them both! Until next year... I swear I will stay longer! I swear!
No comments:
Post a Comment