Denver, Colorado

In June I went on a road trip of Mid West America. We spanned seven states and six or seven state parks and took in so many different kinds of scenery, cultures and stories it is hard to believe. We spent the first day of our trip exploring Denver, Colorado. We toured Lower Downtown on foot, soaking up the sun and everything there was to see. 

Part of the attraction of this part of Denver is the pedestrianised 16th Street Mall. The street is lined with shops and places to eat but they weren't really our focus. Instead we took in lush green leaved trees, planters filled with flowers and cacti, painted pianos that were free to play and chess sets. There was even a herd of buffalo! (The first of our trip although the real thing is even more spectacular.) 

 

Tattered Cover Bookstore. This is a bookstore that I knew about before we'd even been away. I think I'd seen a picture of its sign floating around the internet and had learnt a little more about it as I poured over travel guides for the area. It is a large brick building but, stepping inside, it is lined completely with wood. There is a whole host of shelves bursting with books as well as a wide range of magazines for creatives, scientists, home decorators and any kind of knowledge seeker.

Just down the road from the Tattered Cover Bookstore you reach the Millennium Bridge with its striking white mast. It gives you a little bit of height to look down the road that you've just walked. 

After pausing to take shade from the sun, we made a loop in the city, crossing back over the bridge and making our way along Cherry Creek Bike Path past a view of the Pepsi Center, home of the Denver Nuggets Basketball Team.  

From the relative quiet of the bike path we stumbled across Denver Chalk Festival. A buzzing event with live music, food carts and beautiful chalk drawings on the street. It was a colourful and vibrant surprise. 

After eating lunch at Backstage Coffee, an independent gallery cafe near the Denver Center for Performing Arts, we wandered through the complex and out to stand at the base of 'The Dancers', a permanent installation in the grounds. From here, we looked out to see the mountains, looming in the distance. We continued on to 'I See What You Mean,' aka a giant blue bear peering into the lobby of the city's convention center. (This was the first bear sighting of our holiday too. The real thing wandered along the side of the road in Yellowstone National Park.)

We finished our exploration of Denver where you really should in a city that is called Mile High -  on the steps of The Colorado State Capitol. It is a striking building in the skyline of the city and is adorned with a golden dome. The 13th step is marked as being 'One Mile Above Sea Level.' 

The day was hot with clear blue skies and we wandered back to our hotel with flushed cheeks and cameras full of photos.

The next day we moved to the mountains -  my home away from home. The trip only got better.

Katie