An early morning flight to Denver has me trying Southwest for the first time. It's a flight, just like the others - nothing really special about it. I managed to get a decent seat and who really cares - the flight is just 2 hours at the most. So many people make a big deal out of something so minor - first world problems.
On the ground and racing for a Lyft to get me to where the dress fitting is happening. I make it with about 20 minutes to spare and grab a soda nearby. Whew. The fitting goes well and the dress is absolutely gorgeous. Still some adjustments to make and we'll do this all again tomorrow.
Now to check into the hotel. The hotel is in the Dairy Block and what a fun area of town. We overlook the alley, which has so many great aspects and places to visit.
We are at The Maven Hotel - so much fun. We're off for a walk this afternoon so glimpses of the hotel and nearby area follow.
Raef has come along with his mom and we are having a great time together.
Something is "Here Here."
Dairy Block was once home to Windsor Dairy—a company brought to prominence by H. Brown Cannon. Mr. Cannon was born in Michigan in 1868 and moved to Colorado in 1888. He went straight to work in the dairy industry, eventually acquiring Windsor Dairy. The Dairy Block site was cemented as a state-of-the-art home for Windsor Dairy in a landmark real estate deal inked in 1920.
Windsor Dairy was known for unparalleled levels of quality, freshness and purity—sought after by Denver’s most prestigious families. With the enormous success of the dairy, H. Brown Cannon went on to have important leadership roles and influence throughout the city of Denver, serving as a county commissioner under former Mayor Speer and as the first state dairy inspector under appointment by Governor Alva Adams.
Spilt Milk is a 30-foot-tall representation of a milk can spilling milk onto the sidewalk.
This Musical Churn in the alley is pretty cool - you wind it up to hear the music. We find several of these and they all play something different.
There are also quite a few different art installations/murals throughout the alley.
Like so many ambitious ventures before it, Denver Union Station began as a dream. In the late 19th century, train travel had opened up the West to untold numbers, eager to build a life for themselves on this bold new frontier. With this in mind, the city planners of Denver began designs on a new station that could capitalize on the strong demand for train travel and serve as a gateway to their growing city.
On June 1, 1881, their bold vision was realized as the new Denver Union Depot opened its doors. Spanning 500 feet and adorned with a 180-foot clock tower at its center, the station held the distinction of being the tallest building in the West in its day. It stood for less than three years. On March 18, 1894, an electrical fire consumed the station, destroying the central hall and iconic clock tower. Though the Depot was quickly rebuilt, its replacement, too, was short-lived. In the span of two short decades, the city found it had outgrown the now comparatively modest structure, and work began on a grand new vision for this reimagined gateway to the Mile High City. Built from carved granite in the imposing Beaux-Arts style, the newly christened Denver Union Station at last opened its doors in 1914. Since then, it has played host to an impressive roster of notable dignitaries, from Queen Marie of Romania to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Station reached its zenith in the mid-1940s, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors daily, including many U.S. service members and their loved ones during the Second World War. With the waning popularity of train travel in the latter half of the 20th century, the Station gradually fell into disuse. In 2001, efforts began in earnest to revitalize the once-great landmark of historic Lower Downtown, culminating in a grand reopening of the reimagined Denver Union Station as a shopping, dining, and cultural destination in 2014 — precisely one hundred years after the opening of the rebuilt structure.
Exploration time.
What do you suppose Snooze is? I'm thinking it points the way to the hotel. Nope, it's a breakfast restaurant and coffee shop.
A little more information.
Architecture fun. Love the bees.
Making memories - always the best!!
Dinner is out on the sidewalk and purely delightful. We have time to chat and laugh and love on one another.
16th - Good Morning! I'm out and about while others are sleeping or working. The sun is shining and makes everything glow.
Time to check out - so sad. This time is going by soooooo quick.
We're off on another walk through a different area. Belmar is a vibrant reinvention of downtown Lakewood that evokes the ambiance of an old town village center. The district is based around a central plaza, ringed with cafes, that hosts concerts during the summer months and transforms into an ice skating rink during the winter. From there, Belmar spans 22 square city blocks, with restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops, a movie theater, a bowling alley and clothing and specialty stores.
Lakewood is also where the bridal shop is and Amanda's last fitting. A lesson is bustling the dress also ensues.
Now for some lunch. Amanda has been to a pizza place here before and wishes to return. I'm always game to a Napolitano treat. We are seated on the patio and are watching the skies turn dark above us. I think we'll make it, but just barely.
Yum!!
The rain does hit as we finish and are awaiting an Uber to the airport. Raef and I say our good-byes and we are off to Dallas.
Up, up, and away. Fun ahead this week. See you then.
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