Last evening we found our Air BnB room in a victorian home in the Capitol Hill area of Denver.  It was a very nice room in a big, beautiful old house. We were hungry and shortly after we settled, headed out to find food.

Katie Q had done some homework and found us a place that had (a) vegan food choices and (b) beer.  I was game!  We went to a place called Sputnik.  Sputnik was quite interesting, although not the spot I would take my mother for dinner.  It was dark with a “Cold War” décor.  The place was busy!  I have been in plenty of dive bars.  The first thing that came to mind for me?  I was the oldest person in this bar.  I shared my thought with Katie Q and we had a good laugh!

Our waiter was upbeat and willing to help us choose good food and good beer.  Katie Q selected a Crispin hard cider and did not give it high marks.  I had a Baere Brewing Company Farm Ale.  It was awesome!  We both had tacos.  I went for the meat… Pork!  Katie Q had jack fruit.  Yes, I tasted it. I would not give it high marks.  We both shared the sweet potato fries and they were sweet and spicy and simply amazing.  Sputik gets a big thumbs up!

After a good rest, we took our time this morning getting a dose of Denver.  Our first venture out was to find breakfast.  We found a great cup of coffee at Thump. I had a “Natural Ethiopian Wote”, recommended by the bearded man at the counter as I prefer my coffee without cream.  He chose well.  Coffee in hand, we made our way to Voodoo Doughnuts.  Katie Q said the doughnuts were amazing. Yes… they have vegan doughnuts!  Back at the house, we sat on the porch eating our doughnuts, drinking our coffee, and planning our day.  The doughnuts were just as Katie Q described and I would highly recommend them.  I informed Katie Q that EVERY day is like this when you are retired!

Once fed, we wanted to walk again. It was a good idea after doughnuts for breakfast.  Rather than go to the shopping areas, we strolled around the capitol area.  We saw the Capitol Building and stood on the step that is marked “One Mile Above Sea Level”.  We walked to the city and county building.  There are fantastic sculptures in the parks and in front of the buildings.  We also saw the US Mint!  

Denver is a young, bustling city.  As we walked, I noticed an aroma in the air.  After noticing it a few times, Katie Q reminded me that marijuana is legal in Colorado.  We walked past “dispensaries” that have been licensed to sell both medical and recreational marijuana.  Times have certainly changed.

On our way back to the house we stopped at a used book store. We spent almost an hour wandering the rows.  What a great place to get lost.  With the advent of things like Amazon and the entire e-book movement, a book store can get ignored.  It was great to walk the isles looking at the books.  I did settle on a purchase of a book about understanding dogs.  Jaxon will certainly appreciate me expanding my knowledge in this area.  

We walked back to the house to pack the car and take a drive.  We drove to the down town area and did more exploring.  We found a vegan grocery store called Nooch.  Katie Q was thrilled with this find! I bought some chocolate and chips that resembled Doritos made of beans.  Believe it or not, they were good!  Crispy, salty, and nacho-cheesy without the cheese.  Go figure!

We could not leave Denver without having lunch.  We decided that since we did so well with donuts for breakfast, why not ice cream for lunch?  Sweet Action is a great ice cream shop with many flavors to choose from.  We both went with the flavor that hit us in the face:  Vegan Cinnamon Gingerbread.  Some of you may be doubting the vegan ice cream idea.  That is one vegan treat I have tried before.  We determined this flavor was made from almond milk, given the texture.  I am not likely to give up my good ol’ dairy ice cream, but this was a nice change of pace and the spicy flavor was spectacular.

We left Denver early in the afternoon and made our way through the mountains, winding to the southeast portion of the state.  We drove through ski areas like Breckinridge and Vail.  We drove up mountains, down mountains, around mountains, and through some mountains via tunnels.  When we hit the Eagle River Valley the rock of the mountains changed color from granite gray to red.  

Eventually we were driving along the Colorado River.  It is gorgeous water to see.  We were even entertained by a small herd of bighorn sheep that were wandering just beside the highway.  What magnificent creatures.

As we drove, we again thought about the people who live here now, and who lived back in time.  Much of this area was founded during the gold rush.  There are still remnants of those old times.  The railroad tracks run close enough to the highway and the river that you can well imagine the settlers there trying to build their lives.  Sadly, this is also a place where many native Americans lost their way of life.

We stopped in Grand Junction for a bite to eat.  Nothing fancy nor a new experience for either of us.  It served to fill our bellies and fuel us for the last leg of our journey today.  We are settling in Montrose, Colorado.  For the fly fisherman reading, we had to pass by Delta, Colorado on our way to Montrose… Home of Whiting Farms Hackle.

The hotel room is clean and quiet.  We have stretched with yoga, talked to our people, and had a bite of chocolate as an evening snack. 

The day has been yet another gift in good weather, good food, and good company.  We are thankful to be living in this country, and are so thrilled to be experiencing it in this intimate way.

I continue to be happy in my heart.  I am smiling.  I know life is indeed good.