Family Fun

Visiting Colorado is all about family fun.  Yes, we do some touristy things but there is also plenty of time to enjoy Geoff and Melissa's backyard, busy schedule, and movie collection.

Right now the boys are playing Nintendo while Grampy naps.  We've had exciting games of football where Elijah has blossomed as a quarterback and Miles has learned to the tuck the ball and run.  The heat exploded the soccer ball but before it died, Miles gave us a clinic on passing.

Thursday night (after our day in Boulder), we enjoyed Elijah's school's rousing choir concert where I was only teary-eyed for a few seconds.   Elijah really enjoyed performing and we all celebrated with Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen.

Friday, Melissa and I had a chance to sneak off and do some letterboxing together which also involved drinking tea.  Parker is the town next door to Aurora so we didn't have far to go.  We found two of the three boxes, but one was swarming with landscapers so we had to abandon our attempt.  It was hidden near an historical site called Twenty Mile House.

Parker began as a railroad station during Colorado's gold rush.  Alfred Butters built the nearby hotel (also post office) in 1863.  Later, he traded this refuge for travellers for a yoke of oxen.  The Long's moved it to Main Street then added rooms and stables.  As it was now on the stage coach line and 20 miles from Denver, they called it Twenty Mile House.  It eventually ended up in the hands of James Sample Parker in 1870.  He prospered and added more buildings including a school house and the town named for him was born (all that is left of the original buildings is this tiny house set in a lovely park).

Today, we enjoyed watching Geoff play his electric guitar for his church's (Creekside Bible Church) worship team while Melissa kept us singing the correct words by working the projector.  Elijah sold doughnuts with the youth group so we bought a few.  We also had a chance to talk to Kelly and Kelly who always make Thanksgiving in Aurora special.

Tomorrow is Memorial day so Geoff and his neighbours are proudly flying the Stars and Stripes and yesterday, Elijah made a 'flag' fruit salad of blueberries, strawberries, and bananas (with cherries and apples to further the theme).  Traditionally, this weekend begins the summer and BBQ season so we're having hot dogs and hamburgers to celebrate all washed down with good Colorado beer (New Belgium Brewery smiles on us this weekend).

Bohemian Boulder

Geoff had work to do in Boulder so Glen and I kept him company as he drove to a facility on the University of Colorado's flagship campus.  (see my other posts on Boulder--2012's Thanksgiving and 2010's Day Six)

The town grew up as a college town with the first university building built in 1875.  It nestles below rock formations called the Flatirons, part of the Rocky Mountain range.  The town took its name from Boulder Creek (a tributary of the South Platte River) which tumbles over boulders as it weaves its way through the town.

We did computer work while Geoff filled his 800 mhz nmr magnet with liquid nitrogen.  Then we were off to find a watch repair shop.  Glen had lost the spring bar for his watch band while playing football with Elijah and Miles.  Watch Galaxy was just closing as we arrived so we ended up in a funky mall several blocks away.  The guy at the Rocky Mountain Time Zone did a quick job although he told Glen he should have been playing baseball as it was baseball season.

By this time, we were ready for lunch and Geoff suggested the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.  This exotic building was constructed by hand in Boulder's sister city, Dushanbe, Tajikistan then rebuilt in Boulder.  It is in a beautiful location beside Boulder Creek with an interior that reminds one of Persian palaces.  It was too cold to sit on the patio so we asked for seats inside.  The only table available meant we'd sit cross-legged on cushions.  I laughed as Glen said, "That's not going to happen."

We walked to Pearl Street, the main shopping street of downtown Boulder.  It is believed to be named after one of the founding fathers' wife during the 1850's when the mountains were mined for gold.  During the 1960's, the downtown deteriorated but some forward-thinking politicians proposed closing the street to traffic and establishing a mall (1977) after restoring some of the historic buildings.  We found ourselves drawn to the Bohemian Biergarten (opened in April 2013), perhaps because a delivery truck was unloading beer kegs.

Set up as a traditional beer garden, we sat ourselves at end of a long table made of 150 year old reclaimed wood originally from New York.  Owned by a Czech ex-pat, the beer is European--German, Czech, Austrian, and Belgium although Geoff enjoyed a Colorado beer brewed in the European style.  Glen and I had an Austrian beer as we perused the menu.  There was everything from goulash to speck (a type of ham).  Geoff and I had a pastrami reuben with the best rye bread I've ever tasted while Glen had a speck and cheese.

We headed back to Denver and after a delicious étouffée created by Melissa, we attended Elijah's choir concert.  It was great entertainment and a wonderful ending to the day.

Run Forrest Run

As usual, Glen hadn't read the ASM meeting's schedule beforehand so didn't realize there were sessions Tuesday afternoon. Fortunately, they were not a 'must see' as I wanted to leave downtown Denver for Aurora and the grand kids.

So Tuesday morning, Glen went to view posters while I wrote a blog entry.  I then packed up our suitcases and left them with the front desk.  I wandered up 16th Street Mall and arrived at the convention centre to await Glen (under the bear, of course).  I met his grad student's husband and son who showed me where Glen wandered the lobby. We connected then headed to Bubba Gump's for lunch.

I'd never eaten at this restaurant inspired by the 1994 movie, Forrest Gump which began in 1996 in Monterey, California.  The Denver franchise was decorated with antiques from the 50s and 60s, some of which I remembered from my youth.  Our wall above our booth bore the dress Sally Fields (Forrest Gump's mother) wore in the movie.  She is a very tiny woman even though her stage presence is huge.

We ordered 1554 Enlightened Black Ale brewed by the New Belgium brewing company then tried to decide on which shrimp dish would suit us.  I ended up with fantastic shrimp tacos while Glen had Shrimp New Orleans.  Meanwhile, our server asked us questions from the movie.  I was surprised at how much I remembered.  We had just finished eating when we got a text from Geoff saying he was on his way to pick us up.  We returned to the hotel and gathered up our luggage.  Geoff and Miles arrived and we headed out to Aurora.

While Glen played with Miles, Geoff and I shopped for groceries and beer.  We had a great meal of sausages, sauerkraut, and delicious corn on the cob.

Tea for Two

Monday, Glen's meetings began with breakfast and would run the whole day.  I didn't mind as I had made plans to meet my good friend, Jennifer.  We connected10 years ago in Hawaii and our friendship has blossomed over the years so I was very excited to see her again.  She wanted to visit the Tattered Cover bookstore in LoDo so I headed there to meet her.

My first experience with this independent bookstore was eight years ago when Geoff and Melissa lived near Cherry Creek Mall.  That's where this premiere store had its beginnings in 1971.  In 1990, Tattered Cover bought an historic building in LoDo which has since expanded to 20,000 square feet.  In 2006, the Cherry Creek store closed and moved to Colfax Ave.  Jennifer had read it was the largest independent bookstore in the United States and the one in LoDo is huge.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves divide the two floors into nooks where comfy chairs or sofas allow one to read in peace.  Both Jennifer and I thought the store felt like an old library.  I unconsciously lowered my voice as we spoke and even a gaggle of kids (on a field trip) were not loud.  My only disappointment was that their beautiful central staircase was closed for repairs.

We headed up the 16 Street Mall as our next stop was tea at the Brown Palace hotel.  We arrived early so we could enjoy the ambiance of this beautiful old hotel.  Built in 1892 by Henry Brown, it has hosted almost every president beginning with Teddy Roosevelt in 1905.  Brown donated some of his land to build the State Capital then made his fortune selling the rest which allowed him to build a 'palace' hotel.

We went to the spa to buy some lip balm for Melissa and learned there was an apiary on the roof which provided the honey used in making their signature soaps and beauty products.  The hotel also has its own artesian well, 750 feet beneath the Ship Tavern.

Afternoon Tea begins at noon and Jennifer made reservations for 12:30 (it's a popular spot so call ahead if you wish to go).  The tea is set up in the lobby, an open atrium rising eight floors and lit by a lovely stained glass window.  Each floor has cast iron balconies overlooking the lobby.

We ordered Veuve Clicquot for Two which came with scones (and a bowl mounded high with clotted cream), tea sandwiches (open-faced cucumber were my favourite) and tiny pastries.  Veuve Clicquot is the best champagne I've tasted and could easily become my choice for New Year's.  We also drank Brown Palace Crown Jewel tea made of a blend of Assam and Ceylon leaves, served in silver teapots.  A special truffle finished the meal nicely.

Most patrons enjoying their teas and the soft piano music filling the lobby were dressed in flowery summer frocks but neither Jennifer nor I felt out of place in our blouses and pants.  One day, we'll do tea wearing fascinators and gloves but we felt elegant as we sipped our tea from fine bone china cups and used heavy silver utensils.

Jennifer and I parted after lunch but made plans for supper with our husbands.  We met at Rock Bottom Brewery and enjoyed a great evening together.  I had shrimp and lobster enchiladas and Red Ale while Glen enjoyed his steak with Rolle Bolle.  Neil had work that evening so we parted company after supper.

Meet Me Under the Bear

The ASM conference was in Denver this year so, of course, we attended.  We also extended our stay so we could visit with our son, daughter-in-law and more importantly, our grandsons.

We woke at 3 am on Saturday morning then suffered several tense moments until our cab arrived (late).  However, our Nexus cards meant we could take a shorter line through customs and security so we got the gate with time to spare.  The flight was not full and the tiny 5 week baby in front of us barely squeaked the whole trip.

We grabbed a cab at the Denver airport and arrived at Geoff's place around 9:30.  Melissa was there to greet us;  Geoff and the boys were at swimming lessons.  They came home and after quick hugs left for a birthday party.  I tried in vain to nap as Glen slept.

We had lunch together and then Melissa, Elijah, and Miles played Wii U with Grampy.  Later that afternoon, Geoff drove us downtown so we could check into the Westin hotel and Glen could attend the first ASM session.  It was late when we finally sat down to supper at The Rock Bottom Brewery.  I felt a little shabby in my jeans as it was grad night and all the young people were in tuxes and beautiful gowns.

The Rock Bottom's food was good as was their award-winning beer.  This brew-pub began 20 years ago and if the crowded patio was any indication, was still a very popular spot to meet friends.  We shared chicken wings then Glen had their Reuben sandwich with slaw while I had their roasted veggie pizza.  Both were delicious with their seasonal (spring) beer.

Sunday, we had a leisurely breakfast at Starbucks then Glen headed off to the meeting.  I grabbed my camera and began a walkabout.  Our plans were to meet under the bear and have lunch together.  We'd been to the convention center before when Geoff ran the Denver Marathon so we both knew about the huge blue bear (see photo) that peeks through the windows of this stunning building.  This forty foot bear was created by local artist, Lawrence Argent and installed in 2005.

I headed down to the South Platte River then made my way toward the city's centre.  Denver is a city of fascinating architectural styles and interesting sculptures.  I explored several different areas realizing that walking on a Sunday was probably the safest time to do so.  I didn't feel uncomfortable but might have later in the evening.

After meeting Glen 'under the bear', we headed to the shopping street, 16th Street Mall (built in 1982) for lunch and found a nice restaurant called The Paramount Café.  Housed in the corner of the historic (1930) Paramount Theatre, its ceiling still retains the 'look' of an old movie house.  Originally designed to show silent films, the Paramount Theatre (and yes, it's spelled 're') is a showcase of Art Deco design and it continues to host live entertainment (The Tenors were playing on Sunday).  Our server in the Café was a vivacious girl who attended high school in Aurora but loved living downtown.  She suggested I'd like their Gyro with chicken which was delicious eaten with a Fat Tire beer.  Glen had a burger done 'medium'.   I told him it would be ironic if he came down with food poisoning.

I continued exploring after lunch looking for a letterbox hidden in the downtown.  Problem was the clue didn't give a tourist any hints so I gave up and asked Melissa for one.  Turns out the box's title referred to an apartment building in LoDo, an area of downtown Denver where General William Larimer first settled in 1858.

We met Glen's grad student, Claudia, and former grad student, Tanis (under the bear) for supper.  Again we walked up the mall in search of a restaurant that appealed to all tastes.  The Hard Rock Café had a waiting time of 45 minutes so we ended up at Earl's.  Everyone was happy to eat at this Western Canadian chain.  Glen had a steak dinner while I enjoyed their Mexican chicken special.

We were still catching up on lost sleep so were happy to go to bed early that night.  Tuesday was to be a busy day for both of us.

90th Birthday Party

Both Glen and I were born in Ottawa, Ontario but left for the West 36 years ago.  It's good we still have family there or we'd never have returned to see how this city has evolved (see Ottawa Visiting).  Our visit in April was to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday.  That's her in the photo--pretty spry looking and ready to have a good time.

Our only travel glitch happened as we boarded in Calgary.  After taking our chances with seat selection before now, I decided to pre-book ours so we could sit together.  I chose row 24 D & F.  Problem was, they changed the airplane which meant seat E was between us.  Fortunately, the woman in E didn't mind changing with Glen (he is good and usually takes the middle seat).

My sister, Lynda, and her boyfriend, Chris were there to meet us when we landed.  It's so nice seeing a familiar face when arriving at a destination.

We had a great chili supper and enjoyed chatting and laughing.  Sunday, we bought two bouquets of flowers for Monday's party decor and took them out to Mom's senior's residence, Bridlewood Trails, in Kanata.  She lives in a lovely apartment on the 5th floor with a great view.  We had some wine and a chat before heading back to Lynda's.

Monday morning, Lynda and I went to her swimming pool, Splash Indoor Wave Pool, to do some laps and soak in the hot tub.  I can't remember the last time I swam in a pool.  My body didn't remember, either.

Mom's party was an afternoon event with tea, coffee, sandwiches, cheese and dessert trays catered by the residence staff (Lynda organized everything) and wine, shrimp rings and a slab cake provided by the family.  It was a great party with lots of laughs and teasing and Glen and I got to meet some of Mom's friends as well as touching base with my aunt and sisters.  Lynda and Nancy sang a duet which Mom appreciated as music has always been an important part of her life.

Tuesday was shopping day.  After checking out a craft store, Lynda decided I needed good, cheap clothes.  As anyone reading this blog knows, I'm not a great shopper and buying clothes for myself is always last on my list.  But at Value Village, I bought a leather jacket, pink suit jacket, and a red and black top all for $50!  I was thrilled and Lynda was glad I had some new clothes to wear.  In the afternoon, we walked to Starbucks and stopped to pick up some groceries on the way home.

Wednesday was the first letterboxing adventure Lynda had ever experienced.  She had bought a stamp and created her trail name so she was ready to go.  With Glen and Chris in tow, we headed to Hog's Back.  Glen and I used to walk this part of the Rideau River while attending Carleton University.  In the early spring when there is still ice, it is spectacular to photograph.  Lynda taught me how adjusting my f-stop would 'soften' the water.  I had fun experimenting with various shots.

Glen found the letterbox and that's when Lynda really caught the letterboxing bug.  Our next stop was lunch at Pub Italia in 'Little Italy'.  This pub is a fantastic blend of Italian and Irish decor with private booths hidden in corners and tables on different levels so it becomes an adventure to go to the washrooms (labeled Adam and Eve).  Lynda, Glen, and I had different pizzas while Chris had Irish Nachoes (you must see it, to believe it).

After lunch, we headed to Dow's Lake to find the next letterbox but after much searching, weren't successful.  Ottawa's famous tulips were a lush green so it was up to the crocuses to brightened the tulip beds.  As I snapped photos, I spoke to a local photo-journalist who needed a tulip for his newspaper story.  He refused to take a picture of the crocuses as it was not a 'Crocus Festival'.  Too funny. Obviously we were too early to enjoy the Canadian Tulip Festival which celebrates the connection between Canada and The Netherlands (see Tulips!!! which I wrote last year).  Queen Juliana lived in Ottawa during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and to thank the Canadian people, donated 100,000 tulip bulbs to this country.  These fill the beds along the Rideau Canal and Dow's Lake.

That evening we headed to Rockland to visit my cousin and his family.  Always a fun visit with kids and dogs begging for attention.  Vic and Wendy had worked last summer creating a wonderful new front entrance to their home which was stunning.  We drove home along the river through a fog that laced the trees in gauze.  It was magical.

Thursday, we were off letterboxing again.  This time to Bate(s) Island in the middle of the Ottawa River.  Glen and his junior field naturalist club used to come here to hunt mud puppies.  The spot is also popular with river surfers and kayakers who use the rapids to hone their skills.  We enjoyed watching both but came up empty-handed after searching for the letterbox.  Not so when we hit the next spot, Strathcona Park.

Here the clues took us past Stathcona's Folly which was an unique play structure incorporating many decorative features from Ottawa buildings and quirky bronzes.  Inspired by Mackenzie King's Kingsmere, Stephen Brathwaite (famous for Jacob, his Under the Umbrella Tree puppet) wanted the sculpture to look like those ruins.

Lynda found the letterbox so it became her first.  Unfortunately, the finder before us had put in a hitch-hiker stamp and removed the true stamp.  I've since contacted the planter and he will rectify this with another carve so we may have to redo this box.  I'm not upset as the location was lovely and we enjoyed our walk along the Rideau River back to the car.

Chris suggested we have lunch at the Mill St. Brew Pub.  He had had his retirement luncheon there and thought we'd like it.  Turns out we had eaten there before -- about 35 years ago when friends had their wedding reception at the then Mill Restaurant.  I had wild boar ragout while Glen enjoyed the lamb meatloaf.  Lynda raved about her beef dip sandwich (which reminded me of our daughter, Meg's quest for the perfect beef dip) and Chris had their famous tortiere.  The beer was also excellent, mine being 7% alcohol (Ambre de la Chaudiere).  Originally a grist mill, this 140 year old building sits near the Ottawa River's Chaudiere Falls and is a popular spot.

After such a large lunch, we decided to walk it off by strolling along the Ottawa River near Lynda's house in east Ottawa (formerly Gloucester).  We saw a Goshawk and geese which had all our cameras clicking.

That evening we dined with Glen's third cousin, Scott, and his wife, Katherine, at the Parliamentary Restaurant on the 6th floor of the Centre Block on Parliament Hill.  Our dinner was fantastic!  Katherine and I had onion soup and a Thai dish of green tea noodles with shrimp and scallops.   The desserts were to die for and even though Glen had to finish mine, I enjoyed their lemon tart.  Scott works on Parliament Hill so after we ate, we did a short tour of the semi-dark hallways.  It had a spooky castle feel which was thrilling.

Friday, we headed to Lanark, picking up Chris along the way.  Our plans were to do a letterbox in Almonte before having lunch with my sister, Nancy, at her off-the-grid house deep in Lanark back-country.  The letterbox could not be found but we did see a Green Heron feasting on frogs.  After a great lunch of sausages and salads, we explored Nancy's land and I took many photos of her spring wild flowers.

On the way back to Ottawa, we stopped at the Herb Garden in Almonte.  Although they were closed, they did allow us to wander the grounds and do their labyrinth.  The paths were bordered with sage and thyme making it smell like a turkey dinner.  The letterbox we sought was outside the property but it featured the Scimangada labyrinth.  It was my 50th box and was special because I knew the letterboxer who carved and planted it.

Lynda made fajitas for supper, our last one at Indigo Street.  They were excellent as were all the meals she served us.  I'll miss her scrambled eggs for breakfast (never the same twice) and her wonderful soups.  Glen pines for her chili brownies and bacon/chocolate chip cookies.  We came home many pounds heavier because Lynda is such a good cook!

Saturday morning we headed to Beechwood Cemetery where Glen's folks are buried.  He said he wanted to make sure they were still there.  Lynda listened to the stories of Glen's relationship with this cemetery while I enjoyed the peace one always finds there.  Although only one prime minister, Robert Borden, is buried at Beechwood, the gravestones are a who's who of Ottawa families.

We spent the afternoon relaxing and packing then headed to the airport early so Lynda and Chris could enjoy their evening together.  We had a simple supper of Reuben sandwiches and fries at the Byward's Taps before boarding the plane for Calgary.