A Weekend in Denver, Colorado

If there is any one word that would describe anything whirlwind - be it a romance or a weekend - it will be "crazy".

These things are meant to be done with deliberation and thoughtfulness.

But says who again?

I have learned over the years in trying to balance my work and my passions that when given the opportunity to

travel on a almost-always-depleted vacation leave bank, that I would always choose to take full advantage

of extended weekends than to opt for the thumb-twiddle on the couch in dreadful anticipation of Monday.

One of the craziest things I have done was travel to Paris (from the west coast even) for a weekend.

Was it crazy? Yes. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

The lesson is that in life, often we wait for the perfect this or the perfect that,

before we decide to commit something. My life, at least, has never been about perfect circumstances.

It has been about recognizing one when it comes around, and seizing the opportunity before it's gone.

Or before I talk myself out of it out of being a wuss.

So when I get called out to justify a weekend in Denver, my retort was that

it is all I have and it is either that or none.

What would you choose?

---

WHY DENVER?

I don't think it will be a shock that I am big on the outdoors,

but I am also into gastronomy. Denver satisfies both of those interests of mine. Denver International Airport is a quick two-hour direct flight on Southwest Airlines from our home airport and it is the closest airport to Rocky Mountain National Park and the Colorado Rockies. Downtown hotel rooms are likewise relatively affordable (the Dutch has surplus points so ours was free) this time of the year.

The Dutch and I have both been to Denver before and we found the mountain and laid-back culture familiar and comfortable.

We purposely wanted to leave our weekend itinerary pretty open so we wanted to be somewhere with plenty of options, mostly for outdoor recreation (even skiing should that whim strike).

---

Day 1

You are free to disagree, but I truly believe that a good signpost of a city with an exciting culinary scene is the existence of more than one local coffee places that are unafraid to serve brazen, undiluted coffee (with Paris being the only acceptable exception).

Stop at CREMA Coffeehouse to get your first shot not just of espresso, but of the local scene.

Crema Coffeehouse is located at 2862 Larimer St., Denver, CO.

There are many ways to enjoy the Colorado Rockies, which is the unmissable backdrop of Denver.

There are many world-class ski resorts around within driving distance that if one had the time (and the g's), a slope-side adventure

and/or après would be compulsory. We were already in the mood for spring having a decent amount of snow back home,

(plus the thought of checking in our skis, boots, poles - the whole gamut - for one day of skiing seemed ridiculous),

so we decided we would go to Rocky Mountain National Park instead -

of which pictures of the full adventure

are posted here.

The only way we would have made our dinner reservations at Rioja back in Downtown Denver

without risking a speeding ticket was if we checked in quickly at the hotel, and change for dinner without

showers whatsoever. Denver has a thriving culinary scene and while there were limitless choices,

we opted for Rioja, whose executive chef, Jennifer Jasiniski was in the running for

best chef in the southwest this year by James Beard.

The Italian-inspired food, the wine, the service - it was

the perfect happy ending for day 1 of 2 in Denver.

---

Day 2

The sunshine was bright and the skies were blue on Day 2 at the Mile High city and

we walked a couple blocks to the LoDo neighborhood to get our morning coffee fix at

Little Owl Coffee at 1555 Blake St. The coffee was great and the clean aesthetic of the place

reminded us of Arabica in Kyoto, Japan!

I am surprised that Denver's outdoors culture is as impressive as its arts and culture scene.

The Denver Art Museum (100 W 14th Street) houses and impressive collection of art

surrounding themes as Western America and Native American/Pueblo art.

They also have a floor dedicated to Asian Art and

another floor dedicated to European/Impressionist art.

The building itself is remarkable. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind,

the architect who won the bid to design the master plan of the World Trade Center,

aka ground zero in Manhattan. If you want to be fascinated by his genius (I know I am!),

watch this short clip on "The Wedge of Light", a concept he incorporated in his design at One World Trade Center.

If all that time indoors got you a little antsy, head back outside to

Red Rocks Amphitheater - an outdoor concert venue, also a city park,

surrounded by massive red boulders and mountains (insert jaw drop emoji here).

You don't need to have a ticket to watch a concert to come here.

There are many hiking/running trails around and if you want to get a work out in

with the locals, be sure to show up in your workout clothes and take your AMRAPs outdoors.

On the north side of Denver is a string of pedestrian-friendly parks right

along the Platte River. One can bike, run, walk, stroll in wide green spaces.

As there are urban lofts and apartments in the area

(and they're expensive, too - we Zillow-ed), there are a number of

local cafes, bars, and restaurants in this neighborhood as well.

Since it was a warm spring day, we were determined

that we needed a two-scooper at Inside Scoop where

all the ice cream is homemade (and delicious).

We spent our last couple of hours in Denver at the Peaks Lounge at the

Hyatt Regency to watch the sun set over the Colorado Rockies.

And as the whirlwind weekend dies down, I start thinking

how the weekend idea in Denver wasn't the least bit crazy after all.

#welcome #travel #adventure #colorado