(Erika and I at Redrocks Amphitheater)
My friend Erika had an interview for a graduate program in Denver, and I lent my moral support and went along. I'd never been there before, and let me say..Denver's a grand town. I think we got there just before spring really livened up the scenery, but the locals were certainly out and about. There's lots of places to run-namely a stream/river/body of water that runs through the city that many frequent. (I found out this information at The Runner's Roost, a store where I was looking for a place to jog about and ended up purchasing new running shoes and learning a new way to tie my laces so my ankles didn't slip. Ironically, I never made it to the running part.)
When we were planning to go, one of my requests was that there was free breakfast at the hotel. We totally scored! There was a waffle maker. I love the waffle makers at hotels. They make me happy.
Whenever I go somewhere new, I like to do three things:
1) Do something outdoors
2)Visit a temple if there's one close and go to church if possible
3) Eat at a local haunt.
Here are our adventures :)
Redrocks Amphitheater
Redrocks is amazing. When there aren't concerts going on, they open it up as a state park and people 'take the air'. Since Denver is such an active community, there were many strutting their stuff. One special couple proceeded to -literally on hands and knees-crawl down the stairs then share a special moment (or a few) down at the bottom. (See the black glob? You can't tell it's 2 people, but trust me..it is. Joined as one. And sweaty. :gag: Who does that? Apparently the athletic lovebirds out there. They put on quite the show...)
But not as good as this one!
(this is my homage to activity)
Here are some other pics of our adventures at Redrocks.
Underneath the amphitheater was a museum with some memorabilia and info about the history of the park.
(posters from old concerts)
(messages from fans..and one of my favorite pics from the trip)
(Rocky mountain hiiiigh..Colorado!)
The Denver, CO Temple
And last, but certainly not least...
Casa Bonita
Erika tried to prepare me, but I didn't get it until we arrived. These pictures can't do it justice, but you'll get the idea of the magnitude of this local icon.
(The advertised entertainment...I was still wondering if it was for real. Believe me it was.)
If Chuck E. Cheese, Disneyland and Taco Bell had a baby, it would be this place. Casa Bonita is not known for high food quality. In fact, it looked and pretty much tasted like a frozen Banquet enchilada dinner-neon cheese included..a (at least) $20 dollar Banquet dinner. We entered with our trays-it's all cafeteria style- through the catacombs of hallways and tables and sat in the middle of the action. The food was horrible..except for these amazing sopaipillas they served us with honey. They were fantastic (and Erika's favorite). Then the show-which was pretty much just the whole experience-unfolded.
(Los Mariachis!!! They were fabulous..it was nice to see a younger member of the band keeping the tradition alive)
(Yes, that it a gorilla, yes, that is a cowgirl, and yes, they are getting ready to limbo)
In fact, let me give you the full effect. Just touch the screen if it doesn't look like there's a video there.
And if that wasn't fun enough...
Cliff Divers!!!
It was a pretty good trip, and we ended up culminating it with a visit to a singles ward that Sunday. I love going to different wards when I travel. I love that no matter where I go, it will feel like home. The ratio-as usual-were more girls than guys, but these guys were pretty awesome from what I can tell. Erika will certainly have a good time in that ward if she moves into it! (And in case you were wondering, she did make it into the program she interviewed for..I knew she would;)
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