January 17, 2012

Mile High City

This post is LONG overdue since my trip to Denver was back at the end of October, but better late than never right?!

If Colorado bordered an ocean I would probably move there.  My second trip to Colorado was even more enjoyable than my first (although my first trip included taking the bar so I guess most trips would be better than that).

I flew into Colorado on a Thursday night and was picked up at DIA by the mom of one of my best friends from law school.  It had snowed 2 days before and  it was definitely cold.  I was a bit afraid I had not packed enough clothes, but at that point it was too late.  It took us about 30 minutes to get from the airport to the city in which they live.  I was hungry so we stopped at the Elephant Bar and grabbed some food before we headed to the house where I was greeted by my friend’s brother and sister-in-law and their cute dog Connor.  It was late and had already been a long day, so after a bit of catching up, it was time for bed.

I slept in a little on Friday and then went to a popular breakfast place called “Snooze” … I am sure you will remember this place from my first trip to Denver.  I ordered the peanut butter and chocolate pancakes … mmmmm they were sooo good!  After breakfast I headed to my friend’s mom’s office to meet her before we headed downtown for me to be sworn in.

I drove with my friend’s mom to downtown Denver and we found a parking spot about a block away from the Civic Center.  We were met in the lobby of the Civic Center by my friend’s mom’s boyfriend who was there to witness the ceremony.  We made our way up to the 18th floor and found the Office of Attorney Registration, where we were buzzed in by the clerk.  She welcomed us to the office and handed me a pile of paperwork to fill out.  She also handed me an oath to sign.  I was confused and wondered if that was it.  Was there no verbal oath to take? 

Fortunately, there was a verbal part to the swearing in.  Unfortunately, it was done right there in the reception area to the Office of Attorney Registration.  I had to say, I was a bit disappointed that it was not done by a judge, or at least in the courtroom where the pictures would look more traditional, but nevertheless, it was an official ceremony, and I am not sworn into the Colorado State Bar!


I spent the remainder of the afternoon in the Denver Art Museum, which I love!  I revisited some of my favorite pieces, and got to experience some new exhibits.  I only had about 2 hours in the museum, but a little time there is better than none at all.



That evening I met my friend’s mom and her boyfriend for dinner.  We went to a local little restaurant called Cherry Tomato.  It was a cute Italian place that drew quite the crowd.  We had to wait about an hour for a table, but we passed the time at the bar drinking wine and catching up.  Both the food and the service at the restaurant were good and the company could not have been beat.  After a wonderful evening of celebrating I headed back to the house and straight to bed.

Saturday we went for a day trip to Breckenrdige, a skiing town about 2 hours from Denver.  We took the “old” way up there because it was more scenic, offering fantastic views of and within the Rocky Mountains.  On the way we climbed to over 11,000 ft. and reached the Continental Divide, where we just had to stop and take a few pictures!  It was cold an windy, but worth the view and the experience.  Once in Breckenridge we ate at the Breckenridge Brewery and then headed back, taking the “new” far less scenic route home.


That evening I spent with my friend’s brother and sister-in-law who took me to a great pizza place called the Mellow Mushroom.  We had a few drinks and talked about everything under the sun from how the two of them met to sports to work to my recent trips.  It was a fun, mellow night after a long day – just what I needed.

Then Sunday I slept in a got a bit of a late start.  I packed everything before I headed out just to make sure that things were ready to go before I started my day.  Then I headed downtown to go to the Nature and Science Museum.  My friend’s mom’s boyfriend was working there and he got me in as a visitor for free.  I took my time at the gemstone exhibit and the space odessy exhibit.  Then I went to the health science discovery exhibit where I participated in a study about genetics and the ability to taste.  I had a blast at the museum and will definitely have to go back since I did not see even a tenth of the exhibits.  I guess I know what I will be doing next time I am in Denver!

After the museum, I met up with a friend I had gone to grammar school and high school with.  She recently moved to Fort Collins, and upon discovering that I was in Denver she messaged me to call her to see if we could meet up.  Fortunately she was available for an early dinner!  We ate at a restaurant across from the convention center called Row 14 Bistro and Wine Bar.  The menu was interesting, but the wine was good.  It was really nice to catch up with her as it had been way too long.  I then headed back to the house to grab my stuff and head to the airport.

My trip to Denver went by like I blinked.  I still cannot believe it is over actually.  I am so so grateful to my friend’s mom, brother, and sister-in-law for letting me stay with them, letting me borrow a car, and basically treating me like family.  It was an extremely enjoyable trip and I cannot wait to make it out to Colorado again. 

Revisiting a city and finding it even more enjoyable than the last time you were there takes gumption!

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