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.