Final Days in Aurora

Much of the final days of our holiday spent visiting Geoff and his family were a collection of events. We shopped, cooked, enjoyed music, movies, and TV together. Things that make a family, a family.

I saw Miles' classroom when we picked him up from school and Elijah introduced me to his teacher as my Dad's mother, Nana. Glen met both of the grandkids' teachers. We also monitored homework and decided that Kindergarten wasn't what it used to be. Elijah reads books and is not alone in doing so.

Thursday night, Geoff and Melissa went out for a quiet dinner to celebrate their 14th anniversary. I made a simple supper then we played Lego--well, I played Lego with Miles and Elijah then Glen listened to Elijah read. We were surprised when Geoff and Melissa came home before the kids went to bed.

On Friday, I accompanied Melissa as she took Miles to the doctor for his 4 year check and escaped seeing him get two booster shots. He was very brave and didn't cry. The after-shot treat is Chick-Fil-A for lunch which we all enjoyed. It was my first experience with this chain and it didn't disappoint. I had their chicken wrap and it was tasty. Elijah, intrigued by my choice, had some to augment the sandwich he shared with Miles.

Chick-Fil-A began in 1967 and its owner, S. Truett Cathy invented the first chicken sandwich so their slogan, 'We didn't invent the Chicken, just the Chicken Sandwich' is true. He pressure cooked the chicken in peanut oil to hasten its serving time and so could compete with burger joints. The only condiment he had was pickles so, to this day, the sandwich is served with two sliced pickles. A devout Christian, Truett insisted the chain close on Sundays and invest heavily in community services and scholarships.

Miles' rescheduled birthday party was Saturday afternoon and three friends showed up to become pirates and enjoy cupcakes and a treasure hunt. They also created their own pirate hats. When they refused help from Elijah, he cried so Grampy took him to the nearby park. As they dressed, I taped Elijah mastering the fine art of tying his own shoes.

Saturday night, Geoff and Melissa went off to a friend's birthday party. It was a Murder Mystery dinner (but only hors d'oeuvres were served) set in the 1920s. Melissa had borrowed a flapper costume from a friend and I bought Geoff a black fedora and small rose for his lapel to augment his suit. He was a mobster. Melissa was the murderer and was surprised when she herself was killed. She laid quietly for 10 minutes until somone discovered the body then watched the others solve the crimes. Geoff won an award for best performer so I guess his time doing high school drama paid off.

Meanwhile, Glen and I had fun with the grandkids. I made a spaghetti supper using Geoff's leftover pizza sauce then we watched Labyrinth. Elijah was a fount of questions so it was good we had seen the movie so many times. The music is always great so that was a bonus. Who can't like David Bowie dressed as the Goblin King? It was a box office flop in 1986 but has become a cult film. Since 1997, Hollywood hosts the 'Labyrinth of Jareth' masquerade ball and there is a series of graphic novels involving Toby's journey through the labyrinth when he's a teen (he is a baby in the movie).

Sunday, after I had packed our suitcase, we car pooled to church since we returned our rented car on Saturday morning. Elijah was not happy to go but this seems to be a normal thing. We then had a quick lunch and Geoff drove us to the airport. It was very crowded but the DIA security system is efficient and so we were at the gate in 45 minutes. My only complaint was this part of B concourse has few seats so many ended up sitting on the floor. We stood for 15 minutes before we were able to sit together. That's when we discovered we weren't sitting next to each other on the plane. Glen was in the final row while I was three rows up. The kind gentleman beside Glen switched seats with me before take-off so that problem was easily solved.

Three international planes landed in Calgary at the same time as we did. Normally customs is a lottery on which line will be quickest but they have modified their system so there were only two choices. We were the last leaving the plane and pretty much the last leaving customs but it felt as if the line moved quickly.

We dumped our bags at home then drove down to Boston Pizza for supper. This restaurant is an Alberta success story. Begun in Edmonton in 1964, it now has franchises across the States and Mexico. There are three in Denver, one close to Geoff's house, but the American versions call themselves - Boston's, the Gourmet Pizza. We ordered their Sicilian thin-crust pizza and enjoyed some Rickard's Red beer which was a nice end to our Reading Week hiatus.

Miles' Birthday - February 22nd

Miles woke up with a slight fever on his birthday but that didn't dampen his excitement. He tore into his presents with gusto as Elijah hovered nearby to 'help'. One gift, a Wii game from us, they shared so Elijah opened that one. The favourite toy was Joker's Hideaway which seemed activated by static electricity. Without warning, Joker would say, "The joke's on you, Batman" then cackle maniacally. The kids thought this a hoot but when they were in bed, it was rather disconcerting.

Since Glen needed new boots and Melissa wanted a successful letterboxing outing, we all went to REI in downtown Denver. We met Melissa's friend, JoAnne, and her daughter, Claire, did the letterboxing, then let the kids play at a nearby playground while we had a picnic lunch.

REI reminds us of Canada's Mountain Equipment Co-op as both stores offer good quality outdoor gear at reasonable prices. I've been a member of MEC for 30 years and it has served us well so I'm sure Geoff and Melissa will get the same benefits from their membership in REI which began as a co-op in Seattle in 1938. In fact, both companies do more than offer quality gear as they also contribute to environmental and community causes which benefit us and future generations.

The flagship REI store in Denver is housed in the restored 1901 Denver Tramway building and there are still tracks and tram cars outside. It also has a Starbucks (another Seattle success story) where we bought mango juice for our lunch. However, we first had to buy Glen his boots. Since winter is pretty much over there, we found them in a discount rack at the rear of the store. They had several styles in Glen's size and he chose two to try on. The price decided the sale as each boot had pros and cons (who knew Glen could be so discerning--his old boots I bought in Bonnie Doon Sears over 25 years ago).

A couple of years ago, I had looked at travel purses in this REI store and decided against buying. This time I found something I liked that would fit all the gear I've begun to carry, like an iPhone and small Olympus camera.

We left the store just as JoAnne and Claire arrived at the 'three bears' where the letterboxing clues began. Apparently, this particular box has a different stamp every month of the year so is a favourite among Denver collectors. JoAnne showed me the stamps she had found in places as far away as Hawaii. She also had found a "hitchhiker" stamp and wished to add it to the REI letterbox. We had no clue where the stamp had travelled but its ziplock looked pretty old.

Our next stop was the Denver Children's Museum playground. We looked after the kids while Melissa and JoAnne hunted for another letterbox. This one's stamp was an incredible piece of artwork (most stamps are hand-carved but you can use store-bought ones, too). We ate our lunch but by this time Miles had had enough.

We walked back to the car along the South Platte River. This river begins as two branches in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. One flows north into Wyoming and the other flows across Colorado. They merge in Nebraska to form a tributary of the Missouri River and hence was an important route for settlers moving west.

After a nap, Miles perked up and was ready for his birthday supper. He had chosen Five Guys so Glen and Melissa went to pick up our order. I had forgotten they offer free, shelled peanuts and Glen jammed a paper lunch bag full of them. For those in Alberta who might be interested, there is a Five Guys in Sherwood Park and one opening in Airdrie soon. Their burgers are awesome and their fries tasty.

Red Rocks

Miles was still sick with a high fever on Monday. Medicine helped ease it but everyone agreed he should rest. Everyone except Miles. When told he could watch movies, he quickly collapsed on the couch.

Melissa suggested we visit Red Rocks. Glen and I were game when Geoff said he'd look after Miles, so we piled into the Rio with Elijah, and headed for the hills. It was a lovely day for a drive.

I thought Red Rocks was a place featuring geology as its name suggests and it is, but it is also so much more. A natural amphitheatre formed by two rock formations, Ship Rock and Creation Rock, creates a place of perfect acoustics. Originally called The Garden of Angels, it attracted the attention of John Brisben Walker in the 1900s who produced a number of concerts there. In 1927, the city of Denver bought the area and built an amphitheatre designed to compliment the surrounding geology. Since 1947, it has attracted performers from around the world and is famous for its annual Easter Sunrise Service.

We wandered the main hall of the information center to read the names of artists who have performed at Red Rocks from The Beatles to k.d. lang to opera stars. The park itself is 868 acres laced with hiking and biking trails and featuring broad vistas of the prairies and city of Denver.

After we had a snack in the amphitheatre and watched a boot camp prepare to run up and down the seats (a favoured activity for the fit), we wandered out to an empty parking lot so Melissa could find the letterbox hidden there. Glen and I were to watch for security guards while she followed the clues.

Letterboxing involves finding a box containing a rubber stamp that is hidden in a public place. The origin of this idea is credited to a guide who left a bottle on the moors of Dartmoor, England in 1854 in which visitors would place their cards. Later, others left letters in boxes along the moor's trails, hence the word, letterboxing.

As Melissa hunted the area, Glen helped while I did my photography thing and Elijah did his Elijah-thing. Unfortunately, after 30 minutes of combing the edge of the parking lot, we had to leave empty handed. We were very careful not to step on the rock formations as there were signs warning that the penalty for doing so was a $1000 fine or 180 days in jail or both. Elijah read the sign out loud several times so we wouldn't forget.

We drove home through the tiny town of Morrison, "The Nearest Faraway Place" (it is close to Denver but separated from the city by the Hogback Rock formation). The village boasts many fine restaurants, museums, and parks with hiking/biking/horseback riding trails. We had no time to linger but Melissa is determined to return and I so want to be part of that adventure.

We enjoyed PF Chang's for supper and Miles even nibbled a few mouthfuls. His fever had abated and even though he wasn't his usual sunny self, he appeared to be on the mend. I asked Geoff what the PF stood for and he was quick to goggle it.

This American Chinese restaurant was founded by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang and is based recipes Chef Chiang developed. It also has a menu dedicated to those who must follow a gluten-free diet. The first restaurant was in Scottsdale, Arizona but the chain now has over 200 worldwide although none are in Canada. More's the pity.

Proud Parent/Grandparent Moment

We arrived at the Denver International Airport on Friday evening of the long weekend (President's Day [US], Family Day [Alberta]). We came in at the final gate of the B concourse--#86. This meant a long walk down the United Express corridor, then over three moving sidewalks to the train. After a brief bathroom break, we rode the train to the main terminal where Geoff waited. Our bag was one of the last ones left on the carousel. Calgary International Airport could learn a thing or two about efficiency from those who handle bags in Denver.

Saturday was spent playing with grandkids. Well, one grandkid. Miles woke up sick and was soon back in bed with a fever. Elijah was his bouncing, questioning self and we loved it. Geoff spent the afternoon making cinnamon buns for church while we drooled and threatened to lessen the amount he would serve.

Glen and I also rented a KIA Rio from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. They do indeed send someone to pick you up and Joe at the Red Lion Hotel outlet was more than friendly. Of course, once he discovered we were from Canada, he had to talk hockey. It is funny as we aren't avid fans but I guess when it's your unofficial sport, you learn enough of the game to make small talk.

Sunday we headed off to church in two waves. Geoff had to arrive early to set up to play his violin while Melissa dropped off the cinnamon goodies, some fruit, and juice for the volunteers. She drove back and we left with Elijah. Miles was too sick to attend so Melissa stayed with him.

We knew the routine to get Elijah into Sunday school and everyone there knew him so there were no problems signing him in and getting him to his class. Glen enjoyed a chat with Larry while Elijah escorted me to his room.

We were in the auditorium (the church uses a local high school) by 10 as Glen had been assigned the task of recording Geoff's playing so Melissa could watch it. I took pictures but did so without a flash which is why the one above is fuzzy.

It was a proud parent moment when Geoff played his solo as everyone gathered. His violin was a nice counterpoint to the rest of the instruments in the band as we sang three songs of worship before the sermon. Afterwards, Geoff had to pack up the gear so we retrieved Elijah. As soon as he left the class, he sprinted away telling us he helped Mr. Dave. He was gone from sight in an instant but I wasn't worried as I figured Mr. Dave was the band leader. I was right. We caught up with Elijah in the auditorium. We even filmed some footage of him goofing around when all his jobs were done.

Afternoon napping gives everyone a chance to recuperate and allowed us to watch a DVD of Elijah performing in his play, "The Three Piggy Opera". He played the part of the Big Bad Wolf and his singing and acting were entertaining. I cried at times but as I explained to Elijah, they were proud Nana tears.