Day 1
We’d found two rooms at the Westin, Denver Airport. After a delicious breakfast at the Fig & Olive, hubby obtained our rental van, and off we went to explore every independent bookstore in Denver for book-loving daughter.
We ended up at Union Station’s Tattered Cover. By then, we were parched. I persuaded Liz and Mom to try the MILKBOX’s ice cream while Hubby and I sipped on an iced matcha.
Feeling refreshed, we drove down 14th Avenue to take a quick pic with the iconic Big Blue Bear, and then we raced off to sweet little Boulder, Colorado, for some more shopping.
Boulder Bookstore is fantastic for its selection of books, gifts, games, etc. It fills 3 levels, with new delights around every corner! We stayed quite a while before making our way back to the Westin in Westminster, where the sunsets can’t be beat. (See the header for this post.)
Day 2
After a yummy breakfast at The Spotted Donkey, we aimed our van for the Denver Aquarium. This aquarium is unlike most we’ve visited as you join a “que,” as the British say, as soon as you enter the building. The passage through exhibits is winding, crowded, and narrow, but each turn in the path leads to unexpected encounters. People who suffer from claustrophobia probably should skip this attraction.
On our way out, we paused to admire a porcupine on a “training exercise,” earning her treats with tricks. According to her trainer, animals like to work for their food, so there’s no welfare mentality there. Interesting, right?
We timed our exit from the Aquarium so that we could arrive on time for a 1 pm reservation for tea at the Cherokee Ranch & Castle. It’s a sort of British manor perched on a cliff just outside the town of Castle Rock.
What a treat! Following our hour-long tea, we were given a tour of the castle and got to know the colorful personality of the last owner, Tweet Kimball. She was a pioneer in raising Gertrudis cattle in Colorado, and she was collector of fine art amongst other things.
From Cherokee Ranch, we drove to our AirBnB in Monument. Our host had informed us that morning of an AC issue. We southerners groan at such news! Still, our stay was pleasant enough with the cross breeze constantly blowing through the open windows and a central fan unit that pulls the cooler air from the basement upwards.
Click here to continue to Days 3 & 4.
