Colorado – Day 10

August 2017

We began our final full day in Colorado with a drive back up to Denver. We went directly to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park. We, once again, spent time climbing stairs at a high altitude. Even though we'd mostly acclimated to the altitude during our trip, we still were looking forward to being at sea level again after all the climbing we did to see every inch of the beautiful amphitheater. Then we drove downtown and did some exploring on foot. Out first stop was History Colorado, a state history museum. After spending some time there, we walked to the state capitol building but it was pouring rain so we didn't stay too long. Then it was off to Union Station. By then the rain had cleared up so after lunch we went back to see the capitol in the sunshine. After some more exploring and dinner, we tracked down Voodoo Donuts. We'd never had the opportunity to try them before so we waited in the always very long line and bought a few to take back to the hotel to celebrate the end of a very busy and fun trip. We ate them after we packed everything for our flight home the following morning.

10-002 BNSF Freight Train
When I think of the west, I think of freight trains crossing open spaces.
10-006 Mountains
The mountain scenery around Denver is quite nice
10-007 CO-470 & Mountains
Driving toward the mountains on CO Route 470
10-009 Houses & Mountains
Neighborhoods are tucked between the mountains.
10-010 Red Rocks Sign
Our first stop is at Red Rocks Ampitheatre & and Park
10-013 Red Rocks
I can see where Red Rocks gets its name.
10-014 Red Rocks
I can see where Red Rocks gets its name.
10-016 Red Rocks
I can see where Red Rocks gets its name.
10-017 Stairs
That’s quite a climb, especially at high altitude.
10-018 Red Rocks
Up close with the red ricks
10-019 Stairs
Our car is waaaaay down there and we’ve got a lot more to climb.
10-020 Red Rocks
I can see where Red Rocks gets its name.
10-023 Stage
The incredibly famous stage at Red Rocks Ampitheatre.
10-024 Seating
Red Rocks Ampitheatre is unlike any other music venue.
10-025 Seating
Red Rocks Ampitheatre is unlike any other music venue.
10-028 Denver Skyline
The view of the Denver skyline from Red Rocks Ampitheatre is impressive even on a hazy day.
10-030 Ampitheatre
The incredibly famous stage at Red Rocks Ampitheatre.
10-031 Seating
Red Rocks Ampitheatre is unlike any other music venue.
10-034 Stage
The incredibly famous stage at Red Rocks Ampitheatre.
10-037 Red Rocks Sign
Hard to believe we’re actually at Red Rocks. It’s such a cool place.
10-041 Concert Posters
Posters from some of the many thousands of concerts that have taken place at Red Rocks
10-042 Ampitheatre
We climbed to the top. It was worth it for this view.
10-043 Ampitheatre
A quick panoramic shot of the Red Rocks Ampitheatre from the top.
10-047 Heart Rate Sign
Red Rocks is more than a concert venue, it’s an exercise venue.
10-048 Stairs
My mother is way down there already. I better catch up.
10-050 Red Rocks Trading Post
Red Rocks Trading post and Colorado Music Hall of Fame
10-051 Red Rocks
There is no part of this park that is not beautiful.
10-054 History Colorado Exterior
Our next stop is History Colorado, a state history museum.
10-056 Colorful Colorado Sign
Colorado is nothing if not colorful.
10-058 Coors Malted Milk Can
Coors sold malted milk during prohibition.
10-059 Fels Naptha Soap
Fun fact, Fels Naptha Soap is still sold and my mother swears by it for tough laundry stains.
10-061 General Store Shelves
Stepping back a century or so at the general store
10-063 Model T
We took an interactive ride in a Model T
10-065 Mom's Keota Yearbook Photo
My mother showed up in the Keota yearbook as future mayor.
10-066 Michael's Keota Yearbook Photo
I appear to be ready to sell newspapers.
10-070 Internment Camp Exhibit
Stepping inside a Japanese internment camp.
10-071 Rocky Mountain National Park Exhibit
I love Rocky Mountain National Park too!
10-073 2010 US Olympic Team Uniform
Johnny Spillane’s uniform and medal from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
10-075 2010 Winter Olympic Silver Medal
Johnny Spillane’s uniform and medal from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
10-076 Mom & Barrel Man
Apparently Barrel Man is a Denver Broncos thing.
10-077 Fritchle Electic Car
A Fritchle electic car
10-079 Mom in Barrel Man Barrel
My mother stole Barrel Man’s barrel! I can’t take her anywhere!
10-080 Bearproof Trash Can
Bearproof trashcans are a necessity in Colorado
10-083 Dust Bowl Exhibit
This immersive dust bowl exhibit was the coolest part of the museum.
10-084 Dust Bowl Exhibit
This immersive dust bowl exhibit was the coolest part of the museum.
10-086 Denver Public Library
The Denver Public Library
10-087 Colorado State Capitol
On our way to the Colorado State Capitol
10-088 Denver City & County Building
Looking across to the Denver City & County Building in the pouring rain
10-089 Colorado State Capitol
It was raining pretty hard at the Colorado State Capitol
10-090 Union Station Interior
We spent some time in Union Station while it rained.
10-091 Union Station Exterior
The clouds finally cleared by the time we came out of Union Station. This looks like a postcard, if I do say so myself.
10-093 Union Station Fountains
This fountain is outside Union Station
10-094 Union Station Fountains
This fountain is outside Union Station. We ate at the restaurant behind it.
10-097 Colorado State Capitol
We circled back to see the Colorado State Capitol in the sunshine.
10-098 Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol is modeled after the US Capitol
10-099 Colorado State Capitol
Climbing back up to the Colorado State Capitol
10-100 Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol is modeled after the US Capitol
10-101 Denver City & County Building
The view across to the Denver City & County Building is much better without the pouring rain
10-102 One Mile Above Sea Level Sign
Partway up the State Capitol steps is one mile above sea level, making Denver the Mile High City.
10-105 Civil War Memorial
Colorado’s Civil War memorial
10-106 Denver City & County Building
Denver City & County Building
10-107 Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol is modeled after the US Capitol
10-108 Courthouse
The state courthouse
10-109 Vodoo Doughnut Interior
We finished our trip with visit to Voodoo Doughnut. The donuts were worth the long wait!
10-110 Vodoo Doughnut Display
We finished out trip with visit to Voodoo Doughnut. The donuts were worth the long wait!
10-111 Vodoo Doughnut Interior
We finished out trip with visit to Voodoo Doughnut. The donuts were worth the long wait!
10-112 Vodoo Doughnut Sign
We finished out trip with visit to Voodoo Doughnut. The donuts were worth the long wait!
10-113 Vodoo Doughnut Exterior
We finished out trip with visit to Voodoo Doughnut. The donuts were worth the long wait!
10-114 Vodoo Doughnut Box
Back at the hotel with our Voodoo Doughnut donuts
10-115 Donuts
Yes, that’s bacon maple! Also, Cocoa Puffs and Butterfinger. We chose well!