Interlude with Erin

Sue & Erin at one of our favorite local restaurants

It has been a couple of weeks since Erin returned to DC, but we had such a nice time during her visit, we wanted to make sure that we wrote about our delightful interlude and shared on the blog.

Erin has been back in the USA for just about a year and is very much enjoying her assignment as a State Department liaison to the Organization of American States.

She gets to use her languages skills and is working in new areas like security, drug regulation, and immigration.

Diego, at his ease

She is hoping to extend her assignment, meaning that she will be in DC for three years, instead of the normal two.

One of the benefits of the job was that she was able to wrangle a month off during the Summer to enroll in a month long Yoga Teacher's Training course, taught here in Denver.

The course was no walk in the park with class lasting upwards of 12 hours a day, but she loved the course and especially her instructor.

To make her stay easier, she asked to bring along her cat, Diego, and we agreed.  She rescued him from the streets of Mexico City and has become very attached to him--and we can see why.  Diego is a sweetheart.

Jet black, with big green eyes, he is very affectionate and full of personality.  You can see that he quickly made himself at home.

Charlie sharing secrets with Auntie Erin

With Erin being here in Denver, it gave us a chance to be together as a family.  Erin and Charlie had a a real opportunity to get reacquainted and bond.

Charlie really like having Erin visit his home so he could show her his room and all the neat things he does at home.

Erin & Bryn off to Yoga on the Rocks

Erin and Bryn share an interest in yoga, so even though Erin was spending 50-60 hours a week in her training class, she was happy to spend one Saturday with Bryn at a "Yoga on the Rocks" event held at Red Rocks park.

They said they had a great time--perhaps it was the free beer and food that was offered after the event.

Sunset from our balcony

We just loved having Erin stay with us; we usually waited dinner for her & once the meal was done--we often retired to the balcony, wine glasses in hand, to enjoy the sunset and the opportunity to talk, reminisce about the past and contemplate the future.


Now that she is no longer in Denver, we miss those great conversations and the feeling of connection. As parents of adult children, you seldom have such a wonderful opportunity to be with your child--we felt so fortunate.

Larry & Erin on the porch of the landmark Stanley Hotel

Erin's last weekend here, we decide to drive up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for an overnight stay and tour. It is less than two hours from the hustle and bustle of downtown Denver, but truly a world away.

The trip was really a spur of the moment decision, so we had no reservations or even any idea of where to stay,

But we happened upon a cute little A-frame cabin on a fast flowing mountain stream, just outside of Estes--it was the last cabin they had available, and it really proved idyllic.

Cabin along a mountain stream

The hot tub on the deck was a nice bonus that  let us enjoy the spectacular night sky (complete with shooting stars), while relaxing and marveling at our beautiful surroundings.

We last visited the park in 1970 (and Erin had never seen it.) It was in many ways as beautiful and breathtaking as we remembered, but clearly climate change and global warming have taken their toll on the park and its environment.

The landscapes are still beautiful--but dead pines seem to be ubiquitous, decimated by the pine bark beetle.

Larry, Sue & Erin--selfie in the Woods

The beetle has always been present, but in times past, the larvae was killed by the intensely cold winters.

 But winters are warmer now, and the beetle is able to survive, eat and reproduce much more vigorously.

When we visited in the Summer of 1970, we remember seeing a lot of glaciers--they seem to be vanishing, with remnants only at the higher elevations.

On the Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park

Driving through the park along the Trail Ridge Road--sometimes in a caravan of other vehicles-- takes no more than two or three hours, even with stops to admire the incredible views and vistas.

Despite the crowds, though, we found the experience very relaxing and re-invigorating.

We know we want to go back for a return visit--hopefully for little longer than just an overnight.

But it was a great end to Erin's visit and the three of us enjoyed having the opportunity to experience the Rocky National Park together.

Our mountain goat!

Landscape with dead pines

Sun, Fun & Family

Walking path along Cherry Creek near our condo

We have settled into a very comfortable routine this Summer in Denver.  Our unusually rainy Spring has given way to a warm, but not too hot, Summer.

Denver is a wonderfully vibrant & alive city; there is always something to see and do & the climate invites you to be outside and enjoy it. Neither of us miss the hot, muggy East Coast summers.

Our condo is located in the heart of downtown Denver; just a block away there is a great walking trail along Cherry Creek.

Cherry Creek & "loch monster"

Subject to frequent flooding--and this Spring was no exception, the creek has been "urbanized" with re-enforced embankments and a pedestrian path on one side and a bicycle trail on the other.

On most mornings, one or both of us, like to walk along the creek down to where it meets the South Platte River and then return home walking along the 16th Street Mall.

It's a 40 minute, 2.5 mile hike and a great way to start the day.

Swim party at our Condo

One of the joys of living in a downtown condo is having a swimming pool just an elevator ride away.

The water is maintained at about 80-85 degrees fahrenheit, so it is usually a jolt when you first jump in, but as such provides a refreshing break and is perfect for lap swimming.

We cannot figure out why more of our neighbors don't use the pool more regularly, but many times we have the pool to ourselves.

We have been taking Charlie for swim lessons once or twice a week and he has made a lot of progress.

Earlier this summer, he used a swimming vest when going to our pool, but in the last couple of weeks he says he doesn't need it and he is going to give it to his friend Jack.  He is almost too fearless and delights in swimming from Oma to Opa and back again.

Bryn, Grant & Charlie's Urban Garden

Many Sundays, Bryn, Grant & Charlie visit for Brunch and a swim. Saturdays are usually their family day; they often spend part of the day working on their urban garden, which contains both perennials and vegetables.


Neighbors and strangers, often stop just to tell them how beautiful the garden is, the pleasure it gives to them and how much it adds to the community.

Defending the Galaxy

Once a week or so, Charlie spends the night with us.  In addition to swimming, he delights in defending the world against the bad guys--just like his heroes, "the boy who became Spiderman" or Defenders of the Galaxy's Star Lord.

Charlie & Oma

He also really likes to be read to; one of his favorite stories is about Persephone, but when Oma reads it to him, she has to change it so that Charlie is the one who is caught by the Lord of the Underworld and his mother, Bryn, has to bargain for his return.

Erin & Bryn off to a Yoga Day at Red Rocks

Erin was with us throughout most of July; she was able to get a month's leave from the State Department and came to Denver to participate in a Yoga Teacher's Certificate Program.  

It was hard work: eight to ten hours of class a day, but she really enjoyed it and we, of course, loved having her stay with us. 

Proud Dad

Graduation was a great day for her.  She has now returned to DC & her job, but we had such a wonderful visit.  She even taught a couple of yoga classes for us and some of our friends. We think she is going to be a great Yoga Teacher--she projects a great sense of calm and is able to adapt her class to the needs of the participants.

When not walking or swimming, we like to sit on our balcony which faces the front range of the Rockies. Since we face west, it is shady in the mornings and almost always quite comfortable.

Sunset from our balcony

Afternoons can be hot, but the evenings cool off and the sunsets are fantastic.  It provides a great place for reading, visiting and "wool gathering."

We will be traveling again starting in October and have registered our condo with AirBnB, the online rental service that we often use when we travel.  Just the other day, someone booked for the month of November.

Bryn has offered to be our contact and agent for prospective guests.  So, if you know of anyone wanting to visit Denver, check us out:  "Downtown Mt. View 20th Floor Condo" on AirBNB.