On this day, we went to the park and ride to catch a bus to Denver. While waiting, the sun was shining and it was snowing on us. The day was far cooler than the forecast. We were bummed we didn't get the hot and sunny day we were supposed to.
We got downtown and headed to the Denver Convention Center. Many folks recognize the big blue bear that peaks into the convention center.
The name of this piece of art is "I see what you mean" since this phrase it uttered a lot at pretty much every conference.
Finally, around the corner came our ride: Banjo Billys. It's as ridiculous and fun in Denver as it is in Boulder!
Inside the bus, dad chooses an easy chair to ride in.
As we leave, we pass a first piece of art. If you've been to Denver, you may have noticed that there is a lot of art around. This is because (hoping I remember these details correctly) the City of Denver requires that 10% of the budget of every development go to art work. This photo is just one of many.
This fountain features a statue of Kit Carson on top. It is called the Pioneer Monument and it commemorates (wait for it...) early pioneers! It cost $75k when it was created in 1911.
This is the County and City Building. It took forever to build because the architect in charge changed numerous times to the chagrin of the builder. The builder was so fed up at the end that he ensured the Eagle atop the building was posed in a pooping position!
This poor photo is of the State Capitol of Colorado. The new gold leaf overlay was just recently unveiled. Much of the rotunda is still wrapped in scaffolding. Inside is supposed to be quite beautiful and contain all the Colorado Rose Onyx from Beulah Colorado. It is believed that it used the entire supply of this Onyx that exists. I need to get inside and go on a tour.
A Denver History tour would be incomplete without discussing the Brown Palace. This toure did not disappoint. The Brown Palace is a spectacular hotel in downtown. It is where I took mom, Hannah and Zoe for tea last year. It's simply beautiful and we learned that it has a well that goes more than 740' below ground to provide water to hotel inhabitants. Pretty cool.
Across the street from the Brown Palace is what is now known as the Navarre. It currently houses amazing art. Years ago, it was a high-end brothel serving the guests at the Brown Palace. To allow discrete entrance and exit, it had a tunnel built beneath the road to the Brown Palace.
The Satire is a famous lounge where superstars like Bob Dylan got their start. Pretty cool signage.
And the Denver Botanic Gardens - this is a beautiful place I need to get to again.
The history of Cheesman Park was perhaps the most interesting on the trip. This was (is?) a cemetery holding thousands of bodies. Because trees are not normal in this area, bodies were not buried in coffins. Rather, they were buried in shrouds. At some point, the city wanted to convert the area to a park so the bodies needed to be relocated. Some were. Most weren't. And the bodies are not buried deeply. Some say the entire area is haunted as a result.
I forgot the name of this school. It has had a large number of students who went on to be famous. One person is Tim Allen of Tool Time.
This is the Grant-Humphreys House. There was a mysterious death in this home. And it's located near Cheesman Park. Many have reported ghosts here.
The Governors mansion. I've been to several fun events here for work.
This is the Molly Brown home. She lived here prior to her trip on the Titanic.
More art outside the Denver Art Museum (another place I need to go). The Denver Art Museum has not angle that is 90 degrees. Crazy looking building.
A bit more art at the Museum.
Nearing the end of our tour, we passed the Denver Mint. This is just a couple of blocks from my office. I need to get here for a tour as well.
After the tour, we headed to the Brown Palace for lunch.
We both had a most unusual and delicious tuna sandwich. It was excellent and filling.
Then, en route back to the bus, we walked down Larimer Square. This is a gorgeous block. Happy I work one block away and get to enjoy it every time I'm in Denver.
And finally, we headed into the Tattered Cover. Can't believe after all these years, I'd not been there. It's a very cool new & used book store. I'll have to get back there and spent more time in the future.
We then went home. The next morning, dad packed and headed home. The trip home was uneventful. Hoping he had a good time!
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