July 31, 2021 – Aurora, CO

We left Wheatland, WY and hopped on I-25 South to Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, CO. This was our home for 14 days (7/31-8/14). We have family and friends in the area and had a fantastic time seeing them. We arrived mid-afternoon and set up on a large paved site in the Pioneer Loop. Cherry Creek has large sites with plenty of space and open grasslands. We’ve stayed here before and is a go-to for us when in the area.

We met up with Barb and Troy, Joe’s sister and brother in law, at Bull and Bush Brewery for a great conversation and dinner. Bull and Bush is has been a staple in the area since 1971.

The next couple of days we relaxed and did a bit of shopping and visiting. On Wednesday, 8/4, we picked up Brian and Bella at Denver International Airport. The tours begin!

We started our tour for Brian and Bella at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater in Morrison. Their website states, “If you think of Red Rocks Park as just a beautiful place to see a concert, think again! All around you are 738 total acres of deer, dinosaurs, pines and prairie, geological wonders and spectacular vistas. At 6,450 feet above sea level, Red Rocks Park is a unique transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains.” The Red Rocks Amphitheater, once known as the Garden of the Titans (1906), officially opened in 1941 and has hosted thousands of musicians including the Beatles, Grateful Dead, Jimmy Hendrix and many more. After our visit to Red Rocks we stopped by the Mother Cabrini Shrine. Frances Cabrini founded the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Leo XIII told Francis to go West to New York and help Italian immigrants. She made 23 trans-Atlantic crossings and established 67 institutions: schools, hospitals and orphanages.In 1946, she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in recognition of her holiness and service to mankind and was named Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.

On Friday we headed south to Colorado Springs to visit Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center. The last time we were here, Brian was just a youngster and climbed as many rocks as he could. It was a reunion of sorts although he did not climb as many rocks!

On Saturday, Teresa and Tim (Joe’s niece and her husband) launched their pontoon boat on Chatfield Reservoir. We cruised the beautiful lake and beached the boat on a nice beach and cooked hotdogs. It was a great day and we all enjoyed the hospitality.

Sunday morning we had a nice breakfast and decided to investigate The International Church of Cannabis near downtown Denver followed by a walk down the 16th Street Mall. The “church” was a flashback to the 60’s with a fantastic “Beyond” light show accompanied by 60’s favorites. No cannabis is allowed during the public light show per local law. The 16th Street is a blocked off section to allow pedestrians to walk the mall to enjoy shops and resaurants.

Monday we drove to Estes Parkto tour the Stanley Hotel. Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado. It’s known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails. The Stanley Hotel, The Stanley Hotel is an iconic landmark famous for its charm and history. The 60 minute walking tour provided the history of the hotel’s founder, F.O. Stanley, his wife Flora, Stephen King, and other noteworthy visitors since 1909. 

Unfortunately Brian & Bella had to return to Tampa on Tuesday. We traveled east to the Denver International Airport designed to look like snowcapped mountains. 

The rest of our Denver stay we visited with friends Craig and Jeannie from Polk City (who also reside in the Denver area). We grilled at the campsite, listened to Musician Josh Blackburn at the Tailgate Tavern and Grill in Parker, CO, had lunch in Idaho Springs at Beau Jo’s, drove through Central City and Black Hawk, homes to many casinos. 

We spent time with Barb and Troy and had dinner with family at Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria

We had a great time during our Denver stay and were blessed to have been able to visit with family and friends. We invited all to visit us in Florida!

Saturday 8/14, we packed up the coach and left for Raton, NM, our overnight stay on our way to Santa Fe, NM.