Tag: Colorado Rockies

Denver: Mile High on Baseball Day #4. A Little Beer and Home Sweet Home?

by reissmd, posted in Denver, Uncategorized

Yesterday was our final day of touring and after breakfast, we headed to Golden, Colorado for the Coors Brewery tour. We arrived early and heard a lot about the town so decided to do some exploring first. Patrice saw a sign showing us the directions to Lookout Mountain. She was excited about the opportunity to see the area from up high but what got my blood boiling was the sign indicating that nearby was the final resting place of Buffalo Bill Cody. How could I miss out on the opportunity to pay my respects to an American legend? (See below)

Final resting place of Buffalo Bill and his wife, Louisa.

After paying our respects it was off to the brewery tour. It was very interesting and full of all sorts of fun facts. They also gave us the choice of 3 beers during the tour. Luckily I only took a sip of each, otherwise, Patrice would have needed to call paramedics to come to get me. It seems as if I am not the only one who can’t handle his beer. Check out this sign that needs to be posted at the brewery. (See below)

After the tour, we had a wonderful lunch/dinner in Golden at a restaurant called Indulge [1299 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401]. The food and service were excellent. Sorry, no pictures.

We then headed back to Denver for more exploring and some leisure time. During our adventure, I did see some interesting sights.

This was at the airport. To my surprise, Denver averages 53 tornados per year.
Except for Patrice, I saw maybe 2 or 3 people wearing a mask. But please stay 6 feet apart!
I thought this was a good take-home message.

The one message I didn’t like seeing was that our flight was delayed. We took the 7:40 AM flight because it was non-stop and the least likely to be affected by the various problems that can cause a flight cancellation. It seems I might have been wrong. Patrice told me a friend of hers was heading from LA to Denver and her morning flight has been canceled. Let’s hope the next time I surface I will be in LA.

Denver: Mile High on Baseball Day #3, Yes, We Really Did Come Here For Baseball

by reissmd, posted in Denver

Last night we went to the Giants vs Rockies game as promised.  I got a real bonus for our money since the game went extra innings (Patrice did not think of this as a bonus).  The Giants entered the 9th inning down by one run when the Rockies’ closer entered in quite dramatic fashion.  The stadium lights flashed on and off and a video of the pitcher was projected on the stadium Jumbotron.  I assumed the light show represented “Lights Out” for the Giants.  Apparently, the Giants didn’t understand the message as they tied the game and came within inches of going ahead.  Unfortunately, this only extended their agony as they went on to lose in the 10th.  

Coors Field was beautiful and very much like many of the other MLB stadiums we have visited.  The staff was very nice in helping us pass through security (bombers disguised as grandparents are definitely a high-security risk) and enter the stadium using electronic tickets (I am sure I will get used to that at some point).  Patrice found the concessionaires extremely friendly.  She went on a walk to explore the stadium and found someone selling kettle corn.  She knows how much I like the stuff so she decided to buy some.  Unfortunately, they were out of kettle corn but did have one remaining bag of regular popcorn.  Patrice opted to get it but the vendor said that his location was the only place in the stadium that didn’t accept Apple Pay.  She then said she would pay cash but was informed that Coors Field is a cashless stadium. The vendor called over his supervisor to see how they could resolve the dilemma, and they did.  They looked at that gorgeous face and said “Here, just take it.”  

Upon leaving the stadium we saw a few interesting things.  First was a guy advertising a local bank (See below).   

After that, we saw a guy who, unlike so many men, was very honest about his motivations.  (See below)

For breakfast today we thought it would be great to explore the city for a unique cafe.  Unfortunately, I was much too lazy and we just went downstairs to Elway’s in the hotel.  This time we sat by the bar and did see some Elway memorabilia that we missed at dinner our first night  (See below). 

Classic pictures of the Bronco hero, only visible from the bar and not the restaurant.

For breakfast, we had to have a Denver omelette, no?  NO, I had the Eggs Benedict and Patrice had something called Dutch Baby.  (See below)

Eggs Benedict with Salmon, yum.
Dutch Baby. Their answer to French Toast.

That’s all for now. I will tell you about our tour of the Coors Brewery today and other things in tomorrow’s post. We have an early flight and lots of things to do. I look forward to seeing your comments.

Denver: Mile High on Baseball Day #2. Want some food?

by reissmd, posted in Denver, Uncategorized

Yesterday I mentioned eating at Elway’s in the hotel but I didn’t tell you that we scored a “touchdown” and I am so glad we didn’t “pass” it over (ugh, I hate puns, why did I do that?). 

I was not excited about going to Elway’s thinking that it would be decorated with all sorts of football regalia and the meals would have silly football-themed names and would be mediocre.

I could not have been more off-base (oops, wrong sport).  The service and food were spectacular.  We ordered too much food and thank goodness we had the common sense to not eat all of it.

Wedge Salad was perfect
Brussels Sprouts were very good but we had to leave something unfinished.
I had the halibut.
Patrice had the salmon (it was better than it looked)
We shared (aka fought over) the Lobster Mac and Cheese

This morning we were feeling guilty and had to head to the gym.  I was very pleased to see that they have the same treadmills as the type I use back home.  So I got on the treadmill and entered my usual settings.  Moments after getting started I became breathless.  My brain forgot that we were now at altitude but my body remembered very quickly.  I did a brief workout.  Nothing compared to what I usually do at home but at least enough to assuage my guilt (well, just a little). 

With my guilt buried, what should we do next?  Readers of this blog can probably guess.  Oh yes, A FOOD TOUR.

Today we went on a wonderful food tour led by our guide Rob from Delicious Denver Food Tour [https://www.deliciousdenverfoodtours.com/]. Patrice and I have been on a lot of food tours and I must say if this wasn’t the best it was a close second (Lance’s Memphis BBQ tour when we were the only guests might still be our all-time favorite).  

Rob was an amazing guide.  In addition to supplying us with great food, he had a wealth of information and never hesitated during his oration.  I didn’t hear one “you know” the whole tour. 

Rob took us to:

  1. Marco’s Coal Fired [2129 Larimer St] where we had excellent Margherita Pizza.
  2. Lazo’s Empanadas [1319 22nd Street]. Excellent empanadas.
  3. Biker Jim’s [2148 Larimer Street]. Excellent elk and wild boar hot dogs (yes elk and wild boar)
  4. Kachina [1890 Wazee Street]. Fry Bread Tacos.  This was not my favorite but I was getting close to being stuffed by the time we reached this place.
  5. Ice Cream at Union Station.  There is always room for ice cream and how can it be bad?   

We are going back to the room for a while to chill, then it is off to Coor’s Field for baseball.  

Denver: Mile High on Baseball Day #1

by reissmd, posted in Denver

In our continued quest to attend baseball games in all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, we are traveling to Denver this weekend.  

When planning the trip, I searched for hotels while sitting with my friend, Michael.  I found a Courtyard near Coors Field which is the home of the Colorado Rockies. There is also a Ritz Carlton located about the same distance from the stadium but at twice the price. I told Michael about the difference in cost and he looked at me and said. “Do you want to take all your money to the grave?”   So here Patrice and I are at the Ritz Carlton in Denver and it is GORGEOUS.  Definitely not worth the extra money but as Michael put it, “David, Lindsay, and Erica (our 3 children) are treating” (with their portions of our inheritance). 

For dinner tonight we decided to eat at the hotel restaurant which for obvious reasons they call, “Elway’s”.  If the reason for the name is not obvious to you it is because you are not a football fan.  John Elway was and still is a Denver legend.  He played quarterback for the Denver Broncos for 16 seasons and led them to 5 Super Bowls, winning twice.  He was the first player chosen in the 1983 NFL draft.

My good friend Gary got to meet Elway many years ago at a Super Bowl.  Gary had the good fortune to be on the field before the game and was introduced to the Bronco hero.  Gary asked him, “So what position do you play?”.  When Elway realized that Gary was not joking he gave him a hug and said, “I love this guy”.  Needless to say, Gary is not a sports fan.  Typically when he is asked who will win the big game his immediate reply is “Who’s playing?”.    Well, the answer to that question for this trip is the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants.  

After tomorrow we will have been to 18 stadiums with just 12 to go.  Patrice asked me if I wanted to go to another game this year.  Late September would be a possibility but I wouldn’t want to risk getting a covid infection and jeopardizing our October trip to Spain when we will visit our youngest child, Erica. Patrice being the supportive partner that she is, said “Maybe we could go in November?”  Yes, Patrice is a great person but obviously not a baseball fan.  Gary, I’ll explain to you later why I am saying this.