Angie Does Denver

Angie, Charlie (with hand drawn "map") and Sue

 Just as we got back to Denver from three months in San Miguel de Allende, we were delighted to have one of our oldest and dearest friends, Angie Godfrey vist us (we raised our children together.) It was her first visit with us in Denver, and we enjoyed so much the time to talk and catch-up .

Unlike us, Angie has continued to work: she is the administrator for the Head Start Program for Indian Tribes, and she was attending a work related conference here in Denver and fortunately was able to spend some time with us.

Always something in bloom at Botanic Gardens

We probably exhausted her trying to share with her some of our favorite places and activities here in Denver.

If you visit with us, you have to see the Denver Botanic Garden--preferably with Charlie along to show you all the "secret passages." Angie was, of course, game, and she and Charlie quickly became fast friends.

We had a wonderful day, strolling through this beautiful treasure of this extraordinary place.

At the Sidewalk Chalk Festival, resting

Just a couple of blocks from our apartment is Larimer Square, where the revitalization of historic downtown began in the 1960's led by a Dana Crawford, a true visionary. Residents of Denver owe her so much--Denver is so much more of a livable city thanks to her efforts.

During Angie's visit, the Chalk Garden Art Festival was in full swing in Larimer Square. It is amazing what a talented artist can do with chalk and an empty sidewalk.

Larry and Angie at lower elevation 

The other place that we always like to take first time visitors is Rocky Mountain National Park--although we had never really visited in late spring, when winter was still trying to stay on.

Driving up to the Alpine Visitors Center, which we learned had just opened the day before, was a real adventure.

View as we climbed Rocky Mountains

 It was spitting snow, there was ice on the road, and the snow banks were piled up along the roadside. For Angie, who revealed to us that she was somewhat fearful of heights and driving on mountainous roads without a guardrail, it was a white knuckle experience.

Angie at the summit

Arriving at the Visitor's Center, we found the parking lot surrounded by 12 foot snow banks and the temperature in the mid thirties. We were happy to share the experience with Angie, but for her, it surely would have been more fun in more temperate weather.

View from our cabin

Driving down the mountain was a little less stressful and arriving at our funky mountain get away, the Ponderosa Lodge, there was no snow to be seen; the landscape was a multitude of shades of green

Grazing elk

While sitting on the the front porch and enjoying some adult beverages, we were visited by a lone Elk bull.  He wasn't really interested in us, just in finding tender grass and chutes to eat.  We let him graze undisturbed, while we listened to the fast flowing water in the creek which flows by the front of the cabin.

Angie's visit was all too short; we hope she will pay us another visit really soon! This time maybe we will relax more and sight see less; but there is so much to see and do.