Travel Tuesday: Denver

While I'm still trying to piece together all the excellence of our recent international trip, I can process my most recent domestic trip fairly quickly. Although Austin, Texas is now my home, there is a big part of my heart still beating in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

I spent last week in Denver for work and went to 2 new places and 2 longtime favorites. Next time you're in Denver, consider these spots.

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For a team builder, the group of 40 something of us went indoor kart racing at Speed Raceway in Centennial. We spent several hours, there were several rounds (are they heats?), and the winner's round saw several sweat-soaked t-shirts and big goofy grins. How I love a little high-speed good-hearted competition.

Photo from their website

I spent one afternoon with some friends who suggested Vine Street Pub, a new-to-me place for lunch. The reason behind their recommendation? I'd said I wanted a blue cheese bacon burger. Oh boy, this place is excellent for burgers, and especially if you like blue cheese. Mmm.

Photo from Wikipedia, because Hubs has my camera with my shots from
Loveland Pass with him on his business trip. Drat.

Speaking of excellent food, two friends and I drove around one evening and sortof accidentally decided to go up over Loveland Pass and the back way into Dillon. Any time in Dillon requires a stop at the Dillon Dam Brewery, where I conjured memories from March's Romp to Stomp with a group of exceptional and exceptionally fun women.

CD cover from Amazon.com

I wrapped up my week hanging out with 9,000 of my closest friends for a show with Barenaked Ladies and Big Head Todd and the Monsters at Red Rocks Amphitheater. I fell in love with BHTM's sound in 1995 while visiting an old friend. Being from Colorado, this band has a decent following, though I've learned over the past few months that not everyone knows who they are. This album alone was such a key to my early adulthood that it's hard for me to fathom someone doesn't know who they are.

from wikipedia

Please visit Red Rocks Amphitheater at least once. Even if you don't go for a show, the view and acoustics are spectacular enough to make the climb well worth it. (Go in when there's no one around and yell "Steeellllaaa!" It'll make you feel like a million bucks.)

What are some of your favorite places to go in and around your hometown?