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Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver people here? - 2/1/2012 2:11:56 PM

Roger Neilson II

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My wife and I are doing a cross USA tour this year from England and are hitting the usual New York, Chicago, San Francisco stops and its pretty certain we wil have plenty to do at all of these... however we have ended up with a couple of days in Denver.

Searches on the web have not turned up a whole load of things to do or see there.... so any local knowledge would be appreciated. What are the 'must see's'?

From Chicago its a two stop trip to San Fran on the Zephyr..... with Denver being the stopover.

Roger

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 2:32:37 PM

jeffk3510

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Garden of the Gods is a must Roger....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_the_Gods

We go there every time we go to Colorado Springs. If horse riding is your thing, you can ride horses through it as well..

There is all kinds of things to do in the Denver area.

< Message edited by jeffk3510 -- 2/1/2012 2:34:39 PM >

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 2:34:05 PM

jeffk3510

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Seven Falls is a must in my book as well, especially at night.. it is amazing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Falls

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 3:22:29 PM

John 3rd

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The Georgetown Loop steamtrain is delightful and takes you through lovely country where you can get a taste of Colorado's mining history.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 5:21:28 PM

USSAmerica

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Drive to the top of Mt. Evans. Take a picnic lunch with you and stop by a lake half way up to enjoy it.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 5:30:56 PM

jeffk3510

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I also forgot to mention the Cog Railway up Pike's Peak...

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 6:43:15 PM

Schanilec

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Or you can take the Empire Builder (also out of Chicago). Goes through I think Minneapolis (Chickenboy country), then Fargo, Grand Forks (give a call if they make a quick stop), then to Glacier National Park and on to Seattle. Though last spring we lost service due to spring overland flooding.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 6:59:03 PM

freeboy

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I would pass on Garden.. how long do you have??? Try coming in summer and we drive you to a mountaintop, 14k feet paved!!!
There are a lot of denver area folks on these forums, Mac and others as well as myself, probably more lurking about...
so
how long and what do you like?
Colorado is split into roughly two halves.. Denver sits on the edge of the split.. Denver and East is high planes topography, very very dry.. semi arid.. its only green ever due to water pumped in from mountains, and then rising from the plines to over 14k are a mountain range.. arguable the best and most interesting features ly witthin, including numerous "ridge" upthrusts of the earths crust, numerous paved canyons with verticla walls hundreds of feet.
A Drive to Glenwood springs for the open aitr 104 degree hot spring pool, and Olympic outdoor heated pool, goes over some beutiful passes, and through one canyon. Roughly three hours driving slowly from DIA to Glenwood Springs... great day trip in the winter, if your lucky it will snow, nothing like being outside in a pool in your bathing suit, sorry nudist its a family affair, and getting snow on your head and having to sit out of the pool to cool off... openm 8 am to 10 pm I believe and pretty cheap.. less that 20 $.. other nice area activities involving seeing the sights... Lookout mountain.. edge of town with some nice overlooks of Denver, especially at night if clear weather... This is not a mountain! be forewarned, its a foothill.. apx 9k and great views of Denver...
I could also recommendd some simply workd class food, one Thia place, of course the folks who own it are from Thailand... some other notables.. but you do not come to Dnever for the food!
pm me with any specific ?'s

Matthew
aka freeboy
]

< Message edited by freeboy -- 2/1/2012 7:30:16 PM >

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 7:00:05 PM

bradfordkay

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quote:

ORIGINAL: USS America

Drive to the top of Mt. Evans.� Take a picnic lunch with you and stop by a lake half way up to enjoy it. �

I pedalled up during a cross country bicycle trip. Since we started on the beach in Washington, I get to say that I climbed all 14264 feet of Mt Evans by leg power... here I am at the summit.

EDIT: we stashed our packs at that lake at 10,000' so we weren't hauling 50 lbs of camping gear all the way to the top.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 7:27:09 PM

jeffk3510

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quote:

ORIGINAL: freeboy

I would pass on Garden.. how long do you have??? Try coming in summer and we drive you to a mountaintop, 14k feet paved!!!
There are a lot of denver area folks on these forums, Mac and others as well as myself, probably more lurking about...
so
how long and what do you like?
Colorado is split into roughly two halves.. Denver sits on the edge of the split.. Denver and East is high planes topography, very very dry.. semi arid.. its only green ever due to water pumped in from mountains, and then rising from the plines to over 14k are a mountain range.. arguable the best and most interesting features ly witthin, including numerous "ridge" upthrusts of the earths crust, numerous paved canyons with verticla walls hundreds of feet.
A Drive to Glenwood springs for the open aitr 104 degree hot spring pool, and Olympic outdoor heated pool, goes over some beutiful passes, and through one canyon. Roughly three hours driving slowly from DIA to Glenwood Springs... great day trip in the winter, if your lucky it will snow, nothing like being outside in a pool in your bathing suit, sorry nudist its a family affair, and getting snow on your head and having to sit out of the pool to cool off... openm 8 am to 10 pm I believe and pretty cheap.. less that 20 $.. other nice area activities involving seeing the sights... Lookout mountain.. edge of town with some nice overlooks of Denver, especially at night if clear weather... This is not a mountain! be forewarned, its a foothill.. apx 9k and great views of Denver...
I could also recommendd some simply workd class food, one Thia place, of course the folks who own it are from Thailand... some other notables.. but you do not come to Dnever for the food!
pm me with any specific ?'s

MAttehw
aka freeboy
]

Why would you pass on GOTG?

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 7:33:45 PM

freeboy

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it is about how much time he has... gofg is cool, but kinda in an afternoon in COS type of way... IF you have seen Bryce Canyon or some of the others, its a little bit like red rocks.. its not great.. its just cool... IF I was already going to COS, I would do it.. and he may not want the scenery but the histlry.. then its all.. stagecoach crossing for JEsse JAmes type of stuff.. I am not saying GOFG is not a good attraction... just not on my top of the list

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 8:03:45 PM

Roger Neilson II

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Wow guys, okies, lets give you a bit more to go on. We are both recently retired and wife is not that mobile any more so its about seeing things easy rather than doing strenuous stuff.

In the time we can't really be hassled with car hire so it needs to be easy access by some form of transport - the train ride sounds rather good but all ideas welcomed.

So scenery, history, awesomeness.....

We arrive on a Monday morning early and leave on the Thursday very early so its really two days max we have, we will have done the overnight leg from Chicago on the train in a roomette so part of the first day is getting our bearings and acclimatising - i gather you are a bit high up there compared to sea level!

Roger

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 9:05:06 PM

Schanilec

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Google Amtrak and see how close they get to Glacier National Park.

Not that mobile, eh. Stay on the plains. Not much climbing other than stairs.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 9:06:33 PM

Schanilec

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And History. Lewis and Clark trail.
General Custer. Stay in North Dakota. He was healthy when he left.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 9:30:39 PM

bradfordkay

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Thos locations are pretty far away from Denver. It looks like he is taking the "California Zephyr" train route fromm Chicago to San Francisco, with a stopover in Denver - thus his need for info on things to do in the Denver metropolitan area.

Roger, I don't know Denver itself all that well but you might not want to totally discount the idea of renting a car for a day. The high Rockies are pretty spectacular and the train route you will be taking is not going to reach the beautiful alpine regions. So, if you don't find enough in town to keep you happy you might want to rent a car and head up into the mountains.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/1/2012 11:14:55 PM

Schanilec

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Just in case he isn't married to the Denver route. I thought I'd throw in the Empire Builder route.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/2/2012 7:27:27 AM

Roger Neilson II

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Schanilec

Just in case he isn't married to the Denver route. I thought I'd throw in the Empire Builder route.

No all is booked regarding the travel - its only a couple of months away now. So its really looking at easy places around Denver. Got to say the railway looks fun and I'm not completely ruling out the hire of a car, but life is easier when someone else moves you from A to B.

Thanks for all the input.

Roger

< Message edited by Roger Neilson II -- 2/6/2012 8:30:44 AM >

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/2/2012 4:05:28 PM

Schanilec

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BTW: Saw on the news last night a rather nasty derailed Amtrak train in Michigan. Odd on the timing of that.

Hope you have a good time on this side of the pond.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/2/2012 9:06:28 PM

Schanilec

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And it is just as well you take the more southern route. As the Amtrak line up here abuts my land and launch control center. Thus you would have to deal with partisan activity.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/4/2012 1:55:52 AM

freeboy

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train along I 70 through the mountains would be nice... are you flying into Denver ?

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/4/2012 2:04:40 AM

nashvillen

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And, just be glad that you are not there right now!

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/4/2012 4:32:10 AM

kaleun

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Problem with Denver is you do need a car, otherwise your choices are very limited.
If you rent a car, a nice short trip is into the foothills, Genesee park, there is a herd of buffalo there (OK American bison) and the tomb of Buffalo Bill.
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is very nice and if you are going to go there might as well see the cliff dwellings that are a couple of miles west too. On the road between Denver and the Springs you might see some antelope too.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/4/2012 7:55:18 PM

Roger Neilson II

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Zephyr from Chicago, three nights stopover in Denver then Zephyr to SanFran.

Have found a coach trip that may well give u a nice day out. http://www.grayline.com/United_States_-_Denver/Denver_Mountain_Parks_

The old train does not start operating on the loop until the end of May, will be back home by then sadly so that's out.

Roger

< Message edited by Roger Neilson II -- 2/4/2012 7:56:15 PM >

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/4/2012 10:18:11 PM

bradfordkay

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Red Rocks, which is on the itinerary of that bus trip, is supposed to be pretty spectacular - both the park and the amphitheatre. It's too bad that the tour doesn't take you up to Rocky Mountain National Park, but that early in the season Trail Ridge Road - which crests at over 12,000' - might not be open.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 12:07:20 AM

Richrd

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Yes, red rocks, but it's a walk at altitude. Roxborough park is drivable and a level walk. It's a stunning sight. I can guarantee you've never seen anything like it. Some people say that the black canyon of the Gunnison is better than the grand canyon. 100% cambrian rock. The cog railway to the top of pikes peak is a view you will never get out of your mind, even years later.

Garden of the Gods is worth seeing but you have to drive to colorado springs. About an hour or so with heavy traffic the whole way. The faster you like to go the more thrilling the ride. Pikes peak is in the Springs too. 14,000+ feet.

Glenwood canyon, west on I-70 past Vail, is just about the most scenic stretch of interstate highway in the world, to my mind. Colorado is the most beautiful state in the union.

< Message edited by Richrd -- 2/5/2012 12:15:39 AM >

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 12:28:23 AM

Richrd

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Tell you what. Just come and see me and I'll fix you up. Weather is volatile here and will dictate what you do. If it's bad come and I'll take you on the short tour which will be enough to get you raving to your friends and family back home. If it's fine we'll take the long tour and you'll end up moving in next door. If you don't like dinosaurs there's almost no history here, but I live among the greatest natural wonders in the world.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 4:57:16 AM

Richrd

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Here's a story from Colorado. A couple of furriners were taking the scenic route, snapping photos all the way. At one stop the wife snapped her hubby against a wooded backdrop. Great picture, let's move on. They got home and printed the photos. In the one, upon closer examination, they saw a mountain lion crouching in the brush just a few feet behind him. One other thing. There are some places where you drive along a road, on the right, with no guard rail and no breakdown lane. From the passenger side you can see the edge and the bottom far below, but nothing of the slope down. You will be scared and if you're prone to panic attacks let me know.

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 6:45:14 AM

Mac Linehan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Richrd

Yes, red rocks, but it's a walk at altitude. Roxborough park is drivable and a level walk. It's a stunning sight. I can guarantee you've never seen anything like it. Some people say that the black canyon of the Gunnison is better than the grand canyon. 100% cambrian rock. The cog railway to the top of pikes peak is a view you will never get out of your mind, even years later.

Garden of the Gods is worth seeing but you have to drive to colorado springs. About an hour or so with heavy traffic the whole way. The faster you like to go the more thrilling the ride. Pikes peak is in the Springs too. 14,000+ feet.

Glenwood canyon, west on I-70 past Vail, is just about the most scenic stretch of interstate highway in the world, to my mind. Colorado is the most beautiful state in the union.

Richard -

I drive through Roxborough Park (Gated Community with expensive homes) and Rox Village because of my school bus route. Rox Park is very beautiful, and I am fortunate to have that route. I hope that we are talking about the same location!

Just had to comment...<grin>

Mac

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 1:47:26 PM

Richrd

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Yes sir Mac, I do think we're talking about the same thing, although red rock formations run all along the front range. Do you remember the first time you saw it?

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RE: Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver peopl... - 2/5/2012 8:45:36 PM

Mac Linehan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Richrd

Yes sir Mac, I do think we're talking about the same thing, although red rock formations run all along the front range. Do you remember the first time you saw it?

Yes - I do.

The rock formations are just as beautiful and dramatic as the formations at Red Rocks Amplitheatre. I would kid the elementary children and tell them that the red rocks in the area were hollow inside; just like the ones at Disneyland. And that the numerous deer were motorized and on tracks...

The kids would bring me lumps of red rock to show me otherwise - we have a very good time. It is so hard to be serious (no surprise there<grin>).

During Christmas, we would rate the Christmas decorations. Kids are awesome, and a lot of fun to be with.

OK - I digress. I am looking forward to Roger's visit to the Colonies...

Mac

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> Totally and absolutely off topic - any Denver people here?

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