Boulder, CO to Durango, CO

We started the day off at Rocky Mountain Joe’s – a café just outside Boulder to have our breakfast for the day. Afterwards it was back to Jen’s one last time, as we pack up the car and head off in the direction of the Grand Canyon. 

We were planning to stop at Mesa Verde National Park for the night but bushfires have set 70% of the park alight and the park is closed. We drive on to Durango, Colorado and decide to call it a night there at 7pm. After settling into the hostel we walk down to El Patio for a nachos dinner and a couple of beers. 

Later that evening we decide to go to the drive-in to see Me, Myself & Irene. Not a very good movie, but I loved being at a drive-in for the first time in a million years. Amy, however, fell asleep. A good night’s rest in the hostel and we move on to Grand Canyon National Park tomorrow.

Boulder, CO

The morning started with Amy cooking up a storm. 

We then drive the 20 miles up to Lyons, Colorado to meet up with Jen’s sister (Erica), brother-in-law (Todd) and Nephew (Noah) at the RockyGrass Festival. A day of bluegrass music set at the foot of the Rocky’s, alongside a stream. There was a very mixed crowd (young, old, hippies etc) who are all keen for a mellow day. This festival runs the entire weekend but we are only here for the day as the road trip continues towards the Grand Canyon tomorrow. We spent the day hanging around at Erica & Todd’s campsite just wading in the water. The music was background noise for a relaxing day. We didn’t stay late, as Amy is not feeling the best. 

On the drive home we drive through a Wendy’s for a quick dinner. 

The night was spent in watching Sleepy Hollow on cable.

Boulder, CO

Started of the morning in a local café for breakfast. We then headed to 2 different malls to buy replacement sandals for those that were damaged back at Arches. When we got back to Jen’s, the girls hit the pool while I checked emails and went to the camera shop to browse goodies I can’t afford. Dinner that night was again downtown, this time at La Rhumba – a South American Restaurant. A great meal was then topped off by drinks at a nearby bar in the West End that had a beer garden on the roof. The night ended at Rich’s Roadhouse – a gay/biker bar, where we played pool to all hours of the morning.

Amy & I, Boulder, Colorado

Arches National Park, UT to Boulder, CO

We packed up the tent and went into Moab again for breakfast at Pancake Haus. From there it was the 8 hour drive on to Boulder, Colorado. We saw some more wonderful scenery, this time more mountainous, as well as passing by Vail and other Colorado ski resorts. Our one stop was for gas and lunch, at an awful Taco Bell. We arrived at Jen’s place in Boulder not long after 4pm. We used this opportunity to shower up and get a couple of loads of washing done. Once Jen came home we walked to downtown and ended up at a Thai restaurant for dinner.

Jen & Amy, Boulder, Colorado

Boulder, CO

Today it is time to organize to moving along. I walked to where the Greyhound Station is (via Kinko’s to check email). It takes over an hour to walk there. A ticket to Salt Lake City will cost me $76 and take 11 hours – leaving tomorrow morning at 8am.

I walk back towards town, once again a different way. I walk through the Pearl Street Mall again and stop at the candle store to buy a present for Jen for letting me stay.

From here I walk back to the apartment, getting a sandwich from Snarf’s on the way. When I get home Star Wars is on the television followed by an old Liverpool game. Heaven. Surprise, surprise I call Amy and we talk for 2 hours again.

I make the most of my last night in Jen’s house as tomorrow I have to co-mingle with that breed of people called the Greyhounders and also deal with being in a hostel again – just what I always wanted.

Boulder, CO

Once again I have a nice long sleep in this morning.

When I get myself organized, I decided to walk to Chautauqua Park, which takes 45 minutes walking, heading southwest. Here there are some hiking trails, which take you up the hillside near the formation of rocks known as Three Irons (because of their shape). The combination of my complete lack of fitness and the thin air – I am over a mile above sea level – sees me make it only half way up the trail I have chosen. The view from this height, back to Boulder, is quite spectacular. So after a few photos of the surrounding landscape, it was back down the hill.

Foothills Of The Rockies, Boulder, CO

3 Irons, Boulder, CO

I walked a different way back to town, through a suburb, which is dominated by the university and its students.

I stopped at the same Irish bar as Thursday night to have lunch. An enjoyable steak with endless cokes was just what I needed. It was 4pm then, so I headed back to the apartment. I stopped to buy a sandwich for dinner and some snacks before making myself comfortable in front of the television again for the evening.

As per usual I had a marathon phone call with Amy. I am so dying to see her again that it’s driving me insane. Not long now.

Boulder, CO

I decided that I had better do something today, seeing as though I’m in a new town and it is a great day. I walk east, down to near where the shopping center is. I resist the temptation to go into the huge record store, but find a spot to check my email. From here I walk back along Pearl Street, stop at Snarf’s (a sandwich shop) for lunch and then head up to the Pearl Street Mall to wander around the 4 blocks of pedestrian mall. Plenty of nice shops to look through.

People here seem really laid back, considering the type of people ie younger people, old hippies, yuppies and café latte-ing people who think it’s cool to be seen in Boulder.

I head back to the flat and spent the afternoon and night watching television. I spoke to Amy, as always. Only 2 weeks to go before I see her again – can’t wait. Dinner is last night’s pizza, as once again I am settled in front of the television until the early hours of the morning.

Boulder, CO

I have decided that today is to be a rest day.

The only time I leave the house is for lunch. Otherwise I have plonked myself in front of the television, making the most of the 150 channels provided by digital cable. My venture out yields a chicken salad sandwich and snack foods.

Dinner is an ordered in pizza. Other than a phone call to Amy, there is nothing else to report today.

Denver, CO to Boulder, CO

I decided to get some photos of Denver today before heading up to Boulder. I walked down to O’Reilly’s to cheap bacon and eggs breakfast, before going on to the Civic Center where I took some pictures of the Court House, State Capital, Art Gallery and surrounding gardens.

On the way back to the hostel, I stopped at the Hard Rock Café to pick up some pins for Dave and Melissa, and then checked my email.

I picked up my bag from the hostel and walked down to the bus depot. A 10 minute wait before the $3, 45 minute bus ride to Boulder. The drive is very scenic as we travel along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Going through downtown, I get a good feeling about this city and I’m glad I came.

From the bus stop it is an 8-block walk to Jen’s place. She’s not home when I get there but arrives shortly after. Her place is a sweet, 1 bedroom air-conditioned apartment. We hung out for the evening and then head to an Irish pub for dinner. I have the shepherd’s pie, which is awesome. We stick around for a couple of beers before heading home.

Jen is going to Boston tomorrow for a holiday, but has kindly offered to let me stay for as long as I like. I think I’ll stay for a few days just for the luxury of having time to myself. Once home I call Amy before heading to bed.  Jen leaves at 6am tomorrow so has given me the last minute instructions, as it is unlikely I will see her tomorrow.

Denver, CO

A big walking day today. I started off by trying to find out where I’ll be able to get a bus to Boulder for tomorrow. On the way I passed a tourist office where I encountered John – the friendliest person in Denver. I wish I had come here the first day, as John was willing to tell me about everything.

The bus stop is nearby, and from there I continue out to the aquarium, Colorado’s Ocean Journey. This place is huge, and well worth the 45 minute walk. The first part of the aquarium simulates the rainforests of Asia. Included in the display are 2 tigers, which are active and entertaining for the crowd. The constant mist spray from the roof gives the feeling of being in the tropical jungle. They also have an awesome aquarium with a variety of sharks and fish. It is in a half dome, meaning you can see the animals swim above you. Glass holes in the floor also let you have the eerie experience of sharks swimming underneath you. There are heaps of volunteers happy to help you and answer questions. The last exhibit is 2 sea otters, which aren’t doing much for anyone today. I walked back downtown via the pathway along Cherry Creek, go through the trendy Lobo area (Larimer and Writers Square) and have a late-ish lunch at a takeaway place in 16th Street Mall.

The next place I went to was the Molly Brown House. Molly Brown was a survivor, and heroine, from the Titanic, whose wealth was gained through her husband’s mining activities in Colorado. Later in life she was an unsuccessful political candidate and active in the pursuit of women’s rights. Her role in the Titanic came from helping migrants who’d lost everything. The Unsinkable Molly Brown was fluent in 5 languages. The house (which has had 5 owners since) was purchased by Denver’s Historical Society and refurbished as close as possible to how the Brown’s had it. Many pieces of furniture and some fixtures were originals. The half hour tour took us through the 14 room house and gave details of how the house was used by Mrs Brown, her to-be ex-husband and 2 children.  During the tour I felt ill and headed back to the hostel to rest.

At 9pm I walked down towards Coors Field and stopped at 22nd Street Bar and Grill for dinner and a few beers. This newly opened bar was quiet i.e., 3 other people in the 2 storey bar – but got chatting to the owner and bartender and stayed for hours. Once back in the hostel I called Amy and spoke forever, as well as calling her friend, Jen, who lives in Boulder (45 minutes north) who is kindly letting me stay with her from tomorrow.

Denver, CO

I made my way downtown again today to see what is on the cards.

First stop is the Denver Art Museum. To get to this I had to walk between 2 of Denver’s nicer buildings – the State Capital and the Court House. The museum is a 7 storey castle / jail-like building in the north west of downtown. It is different than most art galleries, it was explained, as space is obtained from the buildings height. Most galleries are 3 stories at their tallest. I took a guided tour with a small group, which detailed a selection of paintings and sculptures. I loved this as it explained the aspects that, as a novice, I would never perceive. The highlights of the tour included; a sculpture of an Indian and horse called “The Cheyenne”, by American Frederic Remington; a sand sculpture that represents a prayer that was created on site by Tibetan Monks; and a carved wooden doorway that had been purchased in India and pieced together by the curator of the museum. When I was on my own I spent most of my time on the floor containing modern and contemporary art and (of course my favorite) the floor pertaining to native northwest art – more totems, masks and ask art for me to appreciate.

Denver Court House

Colorado State Parliament, Denver

Denver Art Museum

Statue @ Civic Center, Denver

After the art museum I walked the 2 blocks over to the Denver Mint. I had to wait in line for over an hour and a half, to get the extremely average 20 minute tour through the place. We were so far from the production it was like watching a video, and the commentary didn’t explain too much (but it was free).

It was near on 4pm once I’d left there, so I walked back to the hostel via Kinko’s. Spoke to Amy on the phone and then spent most of the night talking with my roommates, Lonnie from Durango and some guy from Pueblo. The baseball is on down the road, but I’d prefer to wait until Amy and I go in Atlanta in August to get my first baseball experience.

Denver, CO

My God it’s a cool day today. A long sleeve shirt and shoes are required.

Monday is a day when it seems everything is closed in Denver, so its pretty much a looking only day. I spend a fair amount of time walking up and down 16th Street Mall, just rubbernecking. I was going to go to the Mint, but the line put me off.

Instead I headed to the Denver Firefighter’s Museum, which is housed in the 2nd ever firehouse in Denver. The museum is full of old equipment and memorabilia, and includes dedications to the last 2 firefighters killed on duty in Denver. There were plenty of old horse-drawn carts and hand-held pumps to make it all very interesting.

I did the email thing before an early return to the hostel, where I did some reading and writing. I didn’t leave again as I didn’t feel the best. I was in bed early after talking to Amy for an hour and a half.

Miami, FL to Denver, CO

I got out of the hostel early and got on to my 2 buses to Miami Airport. It took me an hour and a half to do so, and made me a tad nervous – like I always am when I want to be somewhere by a certain time and I’m not. I checked in (and, of course, had my bag inspected) and waited to board, when they called for volunteers to give up their seats, as the flight was overbooked. I was in no hurry, so stepped up. For my generosity I was given a later flight via Chicago. The leg from Miami to Chicago was to be in an exit seat, while the next leg would be in business class. I was also given a $400 travel voucher for the future. So I waited around for another 2 hours. The flight to Chicago was uneventful. 

I then had to wait at the airport for 5 hours before the next flight. Business class is the life. Beautiful chicken meal, wine, drink, real cutlery, my own television and all the space I need. How could I ever go back to economy? 

I arrived in Denver and caught a shuttle to the hostel, which is on 22nd Street, arriving at 10pm. It’s too late, and I’ve had it, to go anywhere so I call Amy before heading to bed.