Mile High Blog
Welcome to the Mile High Blog on W303. You'll find great information and photos on a wide variety of Colorado restaurants, attractions, and more.
Estes Park in October 2009 Oct 12, 2009
Estes Park in October 2009
Jim reserved a cabin in Estes Park for our anniversary and we took our two English Rat Terrier dogs with us. Jim and I will be celebrating our 18th anniversary in November and we have a tradition of spending a week-end sometime near our anniversary at a bed & breakfast or just a simple get away. We normally don't do the week of our anniversary because it lands on or near Thanksgiving. Jim's family also has a tradition of getting together for thanksgiving in either Pennsylvania, Canada, Niagara Falls or Colorado, depending on whose home we all want to visit.
Back to Estes Park. October is Elk mating season. The Elk are plentiful and the males are bugling. Last night Jim took the boys out for their evening walk before bed and was surprised to see an elk 20 feet from the front porch. Mac was ready to go visit, thankfully he was leashed.
Bryan came up on Saturday and we went into Estes Park and visited the Stanley. The clouds were low and resulted in some beautiful views.
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September 11th, 2009 in Denver, Colorado Sep 12, 2009
Sharing the Freedom A Concert of Remembrance and Hope
Friday evening two friends (Steve and Lori), my husband (Jim) and I went to a free concert at Auroria Campus. I met Chie Imaizumi just a few weeks earlier and she told me about this concert and I thought it would be a perfect way to spend September 11th. Freedom Concert
Chie is a native of Japan and an award-winning composer. In this special free concert to help us all remember 9/11 she composed the theme song of the evening Sharing the Freedom.
It was a beautiful Friday and when we arrived at the concert site there were plenty of open seating and space available for blankets and chairs for those who planned on bringing their dinner and having a picnic prior to the concert. That is exactly what we had planned. Our friend, Lori works in downtown Denver so Jim, Steve and I drove down from Erie/Longmont area and brought sandwiches for dinner and Lori met us there. We enjoyed the picnic and the time to get caught up with our friends who had just returned from a vacation and were excited about their daughters up coming wedding next year.
At 6:30 the Metro State 1 O'Clock Jazz Combo began playing. We enjoyed their warm up music while the sun began setting behind the rocky mountains and you could feel the air cool down. The chairs had all been taken and the open grass space was filled with blankets, chairs and families. I couldn't help but smile at a family next to us with a little girl about six years old who was practicing her balley steps. She was a serious ballerina with her pirouettes and turns and large arm gestures. Soon she began playing follow the leader with her sister, they took turns leading and they weaved between the chairs and all the people sitting on the ground. Seeing the families all gathered together and the rush and troubles of day put behind them made me recall my childhood. I remember playing outside from sun up to sun down and how wonderful it felt to be playing tag with my friends while the daylight hours slowly turned to dusk and families were sitting on their porches.
At 7:00 the Master of Ceremonies Norman Provizer, Professor of Political Science welcomed everyone to this special event. Copies of the Constitution were being handed out (pocket size) and he urged all of us to take a copy, it was clearly a passion of his that we all understand and appreciate what beliefs this great country was founded upon. Metro State President Stephen Jordon then welcomed us and shared how important this concert was to him and how proud he was that Metro State was able to host the Falconairres and Chei Imaizumi. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper also made an appearance and shared his thoughts and reflections about this date in history.
Then the Air Force Academy Band was introduced and began with the National Anthem. The sound system was great but the quality of each of the band members was impressive. TSgt. Christina Saalborn was the vocalist. Her deep jazzy tones only highlighted the quality of the other band members.
Then Chei was introduced and she began to conduct the band through 4 pieces that she had written. Watching her conduct this band brought even more life to the evening, you could see the music flowing through her hands and her entire body. The pieces were gentle and spoke volumes to all of us. I looked around and saw one gentleman who could hardly sit still in his seat, another elderly woman who gently nodded with the music, and little boy who was walking by began conducting his own imaginary band.
What a wonderful evening. What a wonderful remembrance.
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Earth Day on Sanibel Island Florida Apr 18, 2009
Vacation in Sanibel
Earth day on Sanibel Island, Florida
When on vacation I barely take notice of the day of week. I tell time using the location of the sun. Waking up on April 18th, 2009 I decided it would be a good day for a long bike ride. While on vacation I usually do one big day of biking. Today I decided I would ride to the wildlife refuge called J.N. "Ding" Darling and bike through it to enjoy the birds. The cost is only one dollar for bikers and walkers but I was surprised when I was told it was free today for bikers and walkers because it is earth day. Way cool! I guess I did pick a good day to do this hike.
J.N. "Ding" Darling was an editorial cartoonist between 1912 and 1962 who had a passion for wise use of natural resources.
I rode the normal car route through the refuge not realizing it would end almost as far as where Captiva Island begins, at a place called Bowman's Beach. I mapped the mileage below and was surprised to learn that I biked almost 17 miles! On my way to the refuge on Tarpon Bay Road a Bob Cat ran out in front of me and crossed the road. I had heard Bob Cats were on the island, I was disappointed that I couldn't get a picture of him though.
At Ocean's Reach, where we stay when we come to Sanibel, an Osprey's nest was built last winter. A family has moved in and we enjoy watching mom and dad bring fish for their little ones. Check out the Osprey's dinner file.
I normally ride about 5 miles a day. On Friday I rode 5 miles and walked a little over a mile through the Bailey's track. Enjoy lots of pictures below of our time in Sanibel.
Here is my bike route with the entrance and exit of the refuge indicated in red. Below the map are the pictures I took in the refuge. Enjoy!
Earth Day bike ride on Sanibel
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Dinner at Billys Inn Dec 20, 2008
Billy's Inn, Denver
Billy's kind of looks and feels like a Mexican restaurant, but its more of an American Grill menu. They feature Tacos and quesadillas, but you won't find burritos, rellenos, and other expected Mexican fare. The menu is limited and the other half consists mostly of sandwiches and burgers.
While offering a small menu, what they do offer is done very well. The chips and salsa are excellent - real authentic fried chips with great homemade salsa. The tacos were ala carte, so I got one shrimp, one chicken, and one beef taco for dinner and they were also very good. My buddy got a sandwich with shoestring fries and the whole meal was great.
Billy's is having a 75th anniversary party in a few weeks that sounds like it will be a good time.
4403 Lowell Blvd, Denver, Colorado
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Red Rocks Nov 20, 2006
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a world famous music venue located in Morrison, Colorado - just 15 minutes west of downtown Denver.Creation Rock and Ship Rock
Red Rocks amphitheatre was created between two natural monoliths, Ship Rock to the north, and Creation Rock on the south.Red Rocks Visitor Center
The new Red Rocks Visitor center was opened in 2006 and features exhibits highlighting the legendary shows that have taken place in this incredible venue.Screening Room
As part of the new Red Rock Visitor center, a screening room was installed where visitors can learn about the history of Red Rocks and the artists who have held memorable performances here. Famous artists, including Willie Nelson and Widespread Panic, share stories about what makes Red Rocks a magical venue and one of their favorite places to perform.Musician Exhibits
Musician exhibits feature the great artists who have performed at Red Rocks and give visitors a glimpse into the musical past of the venue.Civilian Conservation Corps
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps and completed in 1941 as part of FDR's New Deal program. The CCC gave young men an opportunity to work on special projects throughout the nation and provided housing, meals, and medical insurance. The workers were paid $30 per month and were required to send $25 of that home to their families.RedRocksOnline.com
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Auraria Campus May 5, 2005
Downtown Denver from Auraria Campus
Auraria was originally an early township that was merged with Denver after years of battling for supremecy in the 1860s. Until 1972, Auraria was a residential neighborhood when it was annexed by the City for construction of the Auraria Campus. 7th Street in Auraria, which includes 1 block of historic homes now used as offices, remains as the only evidence of this once thriving residential community.
RTD Lightrail
RTD Lightrail Station at Auraria Campus
South Classroom
Auraria Campus South Classroom
St. Cajetans Cathedral
St. Cajetans Cathedral - Auraria Campus
The Tivoli
Tivoli Union at Auraria Campus
Related Links
AHEC.edu
University of Colorado at Denver
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Community College of Denver
The Tivoli
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Niketown Denver Mar 15, 2005
Niketown Entrance - 16th Street Denver
500 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Niketown Denver
Niketown Denver Ladies
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