D.C. Monuments at Night - Part 2

 

This past weekend, I had family visiting Washington D.C. which gave me the perfect excuse to head out for a nighttime photography excursion!  Plus, I've only posted one other time on D.C. night photos, and that was over a year ago, so it was about time for another - especially since I'd like to believe that my photography skills have improved, even just a little bit, since then.

We only caught the tail end of the sunset, but still captured a good amount drama to backdrop some wide angle shots of the Lincoln Memorial. While there are tons of destinations along the National Mall for quintessential D.C. night shots, we took our time focusing only on the west end - Lincoln, the Reflecting Pool, and the Korean War Memorial.

I find that it's important to really play with the Lincoln Monument because there are so many angles, textures, and framing opportunities.  Of course, you will need your tripod and wired remote for all of these! I've really been getting more into HDR - or high dynamic range - photography effects, so you can see some of that in the Lincoln exterior shots.  I also took advantage of the shadows and the thin clouds and bumped up the saturation of the subtle colors being projected on the monument by monument floodlights.

Processing photos, while tedious, can also be a fantastic experience because sometimes you never know what you end up capturing with longer exposures.  And in this case, I was pleasantly surprised to get some stars hanging out above the detailed top of the Lincoln Memorial.

The columns bordering the monument provide some great opportunities for leading line compositions and for framing up the other major stars of the mall - the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument.

Of course, it's a requirement that you shoot Lincoln, himself, though note tripods are not allowed inside the monument for safety reasons.  I found that an open aperture and a good wide angle lens gave me enough flexibility with the lower light conditions.

Just down the steps, en route to the Reflecting Pool, we came upon a salsa social dancing group performing for fun.  When I saw that they were wearing glowsticks as bracelets, necklaces, and belts, I wondered how to capture that beautiful moment.  I opted for an approximately 1 second exposure, which complemented the movement of the dancing, as portrayed by the moving colorful lines from the glowsticks.  And, of course, the gorgeous background of the Reflecting Pool just grounded the scene and said "This is D.C."  I honestly don't mind that the people are blurry because that was the moment and it invites you to preview my memory.

This next shot is a reorientation and crop of the previous image that isolates a couple and makes it more personal.

Finally, we wandered to the southside of the National Mall's west end to see the Korean War Memorial because I had explained to my cousin that this was my least favorite of the Mall installations. With no disrespect intended to Korean War Veterans or their descendents, or to U.S. Veterans in general, this is the scariest "tribute" I've ever seen, especially at night.  The men of all branches of service are depicted as if on winter patrol in Korea, wearing their heavy weather gear.  I think it's the way the sculptor did the eyes that gives me the creeps because they seem very hallowed out and almost zombie-like.  Anyway, I invite you to visit for yourself, in the day or at night, to see what you think.  

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Gluten Free Vanilla Coconut Cupcakes

My friends recently had a baby, and I wanted to bring them something in addition to the present I had already bought.  Not having kids myself, I would imagine that the first few weeks with your first baby are pretty hectic - getting used to a totally unfamiliar routine - and the last thing on your mind is making food.  So, I thought it would be nice to bring them something that they can snack on.  Of course, I am not a great chef, but I can certainly bake; therefore, I set out to find a simple and delicious recipe that also was gluten free so that the new mom could enjoy a sweet treat as well.  The fact that the recipe I found was a modification of gluten free boxed cake mix just made my day all the merrier!

Gluten Free Vanilla Coconut Cupcakes

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 1 box of yellow or white gluten free cake mix (try Whole Foods if it's not in your regular supermarket)
• 2/3 cup coconut milk, full fat/regular (again, Whole Foods definitely has this)
• 1/2 cup butter flavored vegetable shortening (I used regular because it was in my pantry and I'm lazy)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325F
2. In a stand mixer, put the box cake mix, coconut milk, vegetable shortening, eggs, and coconut extract in the bowl and mix on alternating low and medium speeds
3. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full
4. Bake 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean

For the buttercream

• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 Tablespoons 2% milk

1. While the oven is still on, toast the coconut flakes that will later be used for garnish
2. In the stand mixer, beat the butter until creamy (2-3 minutes, medium to high speed)
3. Add the sugar and extracts, and 3-4 Tablespoons of the milk - beating on a low to medium speed until the sugar is mixed in.  Once combined, beat on high until creamy.
4. Add more milk until you reach your desired consistency
5. Pipe on the cupcakes with a large tip of your preference
6. Sprinkle toasted coconut in the center

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Salted Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I have become a big fan of salted desserts in the past few years, and one of my favorites is a salted oatmeal version of a chocolate chip cookie that is available at a restaurant near my house.  So, a quick search on the internet, and I found this recipe that produced some similarly delicious cookies!  And they were very easy to make, so there's no excuse not to try this at home.

Salted Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 Tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups rolled oats, not quick cooking oats
• 1 cup flour, all purpose
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes (I found this at Whole Foods)
• 6 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• Additional sea salt flakes for sprinkling

1. Heat oven to 375F, placing the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.
2. Cream together the butter, shortening, and two sugars in a stand mixer, beating until fluffy on medium-high.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients (oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon) and the 1 tsp of sea salt flakes.
5. Add the dry ingredients, gradually on a low speed, to the wet ingredients in the mixer until combined. 
6. Stir in the chocolate.
7. Line baking sheets (silpat or parchment) and use your fingers to create 1 1/2 inch balls of dough.
8. Sprinkle the cookies with more sea salt flakes.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through.
10. Cool completely on a cooling rack.

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Reducing the Reading Pile

Must Read

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

The sequel to the emotionally moving If I Stay, this book takes place three years later and is told from the perspective of Adam this time.  You discover that the decision to live was not the only one Mia made after recovering from her car accident.  She also followed her dreams to Julliard, while Adam's fame continued to rise with his band.  Their lives intersect one night while they are both in New York, and their story continues...but does it end the same way?

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

Once again, Jojo Moyes proves she is a master of storytelling, creating very realistic characters with whom readers can easily empathize and support.  In this book we follow a struggling single mom who has managed a tolerable life for her stepson and daughter, but can't afford to really give them everything they deserve.  When her daughter, a math genius, is offered a spot at an exclusive private school where she can get the attention she needs and not have to deal with the public school bullies, financial reality deals a crushing blow to the family.  Enter the millionaire software developer CEO who, by means of his own insecurities and desire for affection, gives insider information to his high school crush and is laying low at his vacation house in town during the investigation.  And, no, he doesn't pay for the girl's tuition...that would be too easy.  But he does connect with the family, and it's through that connection that they realize together they can solve all their problems.

Lazy Weekend

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon: Books 1-4

It's funny that I'm categorizing these books as a lazy weekend because it is going to take you more than a weekend to finish one of these thick novels!  I actually read the first four books in this series (comprised now of eight books with more to come) a few years ago, and with the release of the television series on Starz, I decided to refresh my intimacy with the story.  Outlander starts out with Claire, a war nurse who is rekindling her romance with her husband, Frank, after five years apart during WWII.  They decided to take a second honeymoon to Scotland because her husband is a historian specializing in the Jacobite movement in the early 1700s.  While in Scotland, Claire spends her time collecting plants because she has a special interest in botany and medicinal properties of plants. When she sees an unfamiliar plant, one day, at the base of a mystical stone circle, she returns the next morning to get a sample.  That's when she investigates a buzzing noise coming from the center stone, touches it, and travels back in time from 1946 to 1743.  Within minutes, she finds herself in the middle of a skirmish between a dragoon of English soldiers and Scottish highlanders. And this is where her real journey begins as an outsider, in more ways than one, who is wrestling with efforts to get back home and new reasons to stay...well one very handsome reason.  I stopped reading after Book 4 because I finally felt like there was a good break in the plot with sufficient resolution.  At this point in the series, the number of characters to follow was starting to get complicated, and I understand from reading synopses of Books 5-8, the plot does not progress much further, yet even more character story lines are introduced.  At over 4000 pages, I think four books is enough for me!

Skip This

Jennifer, Gwyneth, & Me by Rachel Bertsche

I struggled with how I wanted to classify this book, and ended up shifting it from Lazy Weekend to Skip This.  It's not that it wasn't good, but it's a question of whether I would disappoint my friends if I recommended it to them and they didn't like it.  In the vein of other "experimentalist" books, such as those by author A.J. Jacobs, Rachel decided to pick the qualities she most admired of major female celebrities and try to emulate them in her own life.  As a subplot, Rachel also told the story of her own marriage and fertility issues that just never really resonated with me.  While the concept was good, I think the main flaw is that celebrities are not normal people so it seems foolhardy to try to emulate them when you don't have their resources.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

This was a recommendation from my cousin who likes fantasy/paranormal novels.  She claims that the series gets a lot better, but I felt like this whole book was spent laying groundwork for a plot and not focusing on the plot itself.  There is the classic "bumbling" female crime solving character, some crazy sidekicks, and the handsome or intriguing male characters, but this simple theme got really convoluted, in my opinion, by the environment which was filled with fairies, witches, vampires, pixies, and the list goes on and on.  So, no, I'm not going to read the 2nd installment of the series since this one was so hard to follow to begin with!

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Coconut Sugar Cookie Bars

It feels like I haven't baked something in such a long time.  This weekend, I wanted to bring something to a high tea themed event, so I decided to make a bite-sized sweet treat.  Sugar cookie bars have been on my to-do list for a while now, and they are very easy to make, so it was settled.  I sourced several different recipes and ended up with the one that required less flour, since my stock was low and I was being lazy about going to the grocery store.

Baking is without a doubt a precise activity when it comes to ingredients and measurements. Fortunately, buttercream is a little more forgiving because when I absentmindedly reached into the cupboard to grab the vanilla extract, I took the coconut extract instead.  I didn't realize my mistake, of course, until I watched clear liquid, not brown liquid, pour into my buttercream.  I balanced out my mistake with the vanilla that was supposed to be in the bowl and hoped for the best.  The end product was actually quite delicious, assuming you like coconut as much as I do.

Coconut Sugar Cookie Bars

For the bars:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the buttercream:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 lb (16 oz) confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract (if you don't like coconut, then another tsp of vanilla or consider almond)
3 Tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy
4. Beat in egg and vanilla extract lightly
5. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the wet, one third of the dry mixture at a time
6. Spread dough evenly in the parchment lined pan
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges show signs of browning
8. Let cool completely before frosting
9. For the buttercream, in an electric mixer, put all the ingredients in the bowl and mix until combined.  Add additional milk if the consistency is too thick.
10. Mix in preferred coloring, then spread on top of the cooled cookie block.
11. Decorate with preferred sprinkles and cut into 1" square cookies

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A Beer Tasting Day Trip in LoCo Northern Virginia

Today, some girlfriends and I decided to get out of the house and go exploring.  In July, I had used my time in Charlottesville to check out the popular craft breweries down in that region.  This time, I stayed closer to home and went out to Loudon County, or LoCo, Virginia.  More known for its selection of wineries, the brew industry has taken off in the past few years in this area north and west of Dulles airport.  This is a great day trip out of D.C. for the beer enthusiast, especially perfect when you're visiting and want a break from the historical buildings and museums.  Round trip total for the tour today was just about 6 hours.

Our first stop of the day served two purposes:  beer tasting and lunch.  A good beer tour should start with some food in the belly!  Just north of Dulles is Ashburn, Virginia and Lost Rhino Brewing Company.  Here, you can choose from a flight pre-selected by the brewer or make your own five choices.  If you're lucky, you may have the choice to taste the Bone Duster beer - an amber ale brewed using a yeast taken from whale bone fossils found in Virginia.  At first, I thought the beer had actual bone dust in it, so I was relieved to hear it was a yeast instead.  Alas, that beer was sold out today.

Also located in Ashburn is the Old Ox Brewery, but we didn't stop there today because we only just learned of it while talking to the brewers on our tour.  Add it to the list for the next trip!

The second tasting room we visited was in historic Leesburg, Virginia.  Located a small outlet in an area called Market Station, Crooked Run Brewing is the place to go to talk beer.  The brewmaster himself, Jake Endres, was pouring the flights for us, which included a Blackberry Saison, a Red Kolsch, and a Raspberry Dark Saison - all made from locally sourced ingredients.  The tasting room is dog friendly (yea!), and if you're lucky you may see the owner's dog wandering around and greeting customers.

Just six miles down the road from Leesburg is Purcellville, where our final two breweries were located. The first, Corcoran Brewing Company, is hidden on the lower floor at the rear of a medical building. The tasting room was large, and they had twelve beers on tap.  I remember tasting Corcoran a few years ago when the brewery was still located on the grounds of the vineyard with the same name.  Not surprisingly, their operation outgrew that building.  Like Lost Rhino, you can get a flight of five selections of your choice.  And (yea!) Corcoran is also very dog friendly - inside and out!

The final taproom of the day was just a one minute drive down the road: Adroit Theory Brewing.  My first piece of advice is to expect the unexpected.  And in that spirit, my second piece of advice is to read the full description of the beer before your order it because likely your IPA is not a normal IPA.  The brewmasters at Adroit are passionate about experimenting with ways to infuse different flavors into their beers.  Their offerings included beer aged in brandy barrels, red wine oak barrels, and a brown ale with peppers.  On the menu, they had a list of upcoming brews that included a Breakfast Cereal Tripel, Mushroom Soup Stout, and a Pecan Bar Porter.

If you're still craving more, while in Purcellville, consider checking out the Cacoctin Creek Distillery for tours and tastings of their whiskey, brandy, and gins.  You can also order a flight of cocktails if your preference is to drink your hard liquor mixed and not neat.

 Enjoy your tour!

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Summer Drinks: Bichon Frisé Cocktail

Labor Day, the day we all call the last day of summer in the U.S., was on Monday, but I thought I would still share with you one last yummy cocktail since the warm weather will be with us for a few more weeks.

By adding the delicious elderflower liqueur to a traditional Greyhound cocktail, you get one of my favorite drinks!  I'm assuming that the name assigned to this recipe is mocking the perceived "girliness" of elderflower liqueur, taking it from a masculine greyhound to a puffball pooch, but trust me this drink packs a punch - especially because it doesn't taste like alcohol at all going down.  It's great on a hot summer day, or on a regular old day, or at thanksgiving dinner...whenever.  Did I mention it's one of my favorites??

Bichon Frisé Cocktail

1 oz. vodka

1 oz. St Germain elderflower liqueur

2 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

Ice 

1 lemon wedge

1. Combine the vodka, St-Germain, and grapefruit juice in a cocktail shaker.  

2. Squeeze the lemon wedge into the shaker, then drop into the shaker.

3. Add ice. 

4. Shake vigorously and pour over fresh ice into a chilled cocktail glass.

Consider using ruby red grapefruit for a flavor and visual twist.

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Happy 3rd Anniversary to LL&E!!!

Every year I continue to be amazed that people actually visit my site and read the stuff I have to say! For some reason, this summer has demonstrated a remarkable shift in the volume of visitors, so apparently I've finally tapped into some highly demanded topics!  Seriously, who knew so many people were interested in Maryland sunflower fields? That or my photos are appearing more frequently in Google image searches.  Whatever the case, I remain deeply appreciative of your support and engagement, and I hope you're enjoying the photos and stories I have to share.  I also welcome your comments and suggestions because I'm always looking for new inspiration!

This upcoming year, well I'm just really excited about it!  I've got some great travel adventures planned to very special destinations - some new for me and some a "redo" of places I toured years ago when my photography skills were severely lacking.  I don't want to spoil the surprise of where I'm heading, but pay attention especially around late February or early March because I should have edited my photos by then from a trip that is going to hopefully blow your mind, visually!  And, of course, in addition to hopping on airplanes I have a laundry list of places I want to explore locally in and around Washington D.C. that I hope will be fun and entertaining.  Then there are the baking projects to do in between it all!

Looking back on the last 12 months, it's hard to pick some of my favorite posts because I'm really proud of some of the things I did and have very good memories of places I got to see.  I also just counted that I published 131 times in the last year, which has to be my personal best.  That's a post every 2.8 days - crazy!  I'm not promising I can keep that aggressive pace up this year.

Anyway, let's see if I can get the favorites list down to 5 things:

• While in Belgium for the week, I enjoyed and wished I had more time in Ghent and encourage everyone to experience it with their own eyes.
• It was a tough hike for me, and I still have the scars on my legs to prove it, but the reward of Zion's Subway was worth all the effort!
• I really cannot describe the natural beauty of the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. Absolutely picture perfect!
• These salted caramel peanut nougat chews are to die for!
• My minion cookies were some of my favorites I've ever decorated.

Cheers everyone!  Don't forget to follow me on Facebook or Instagram!

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Gorgeous Aspen, Colorado

While notorious for the celebrities that own properties in town and flock to the ski slopes in winter, Aspen is also a great getaway during the summer months.  There are plenty of outdoor activities, including the required ride on the gondola to the top of the mountain.  Then, of course, there's the shopping that resembles Rodeo Drive, with designer stores like Burberry, Valentino, Gucci, and the like.

I have been curious about Aspen for a while, but have not made the trek out there because it's more convenient to just ski in Summit County and not drive the extra two hours.  Without snowy driving conditions as a concern, though, there is no reason not to get out to Aspen for a change of Colorado scenery. The drive there is an adventure in and of itself, going over Independence Pass with its steep drop offs and hairpin turns that guide you to the lush forests of aspens just outside the town.

Only in Aspen for a very brief period of time, I made the most out of every minute and had plenty of time to see my first wild bear (just across the street from my hotel as I walked my dog at night), to stumble upon the first stage of the USA Pro Challenge cycling event, to eat some good food, and to watch the sun rise on the gorgeous Maroon Bells.

Getting up before sunrise on a clear day, you will not regret the lack of sleep when the sun starts to creep down from the peaks of the Maroon Bells.  Located just outside of town, take Maroon Creek Road to the end, and Maroon Lake is about 100 yards from the parking lot.  In the summertime, mid-June through Labor Day, from 9am to 5pm one can only access Maroon Lake by public bus (ticket purchase required).  But, since I know you're going to do exactly what I tell you to do, you should have no problem driving your car and finding parking at 6am in order to set up for sunrise.  At that early hour, I also was not subject to the $10 access fee because the gatehouse was closed.  While beautiful any time of year, I have seen fantastic photos of the Maroon Bells when they are at their most glorious - in autumn, highlighted by the bright golden yellow colors of the turning aspen tree leaves. Just something to consider, timing-wise!

Speaking of aspens, along the route to the Maroon Bells are some beautiful groves of aspens.  Make sure to stop and play around with various compositions and angles for your photographs.  After all, taking a photo of a group of aspen trees is a requirement when you visit Aspen!

When driving into Aspen, I was greeted with an electronic sign warning of road closures for a bike race.  I had no idea this was going on while I was in town, but it certainly explains why the hotel rate was high for off-season!  The event was actually the first of seven stages of a professional cycling race - the annual USA Pro Challenge.  While this race attracts some great riders, I learned that many of the elite cyclists opt to compete in the tour occurring concurrently in Spain, though I know of at least one Tour de France competitor in the Colorado field - not too shabby!  

Being more of a car racing fan myself, it was interesting to experience the similarities between car and bike racing from a spectator's perspective.  Right away, you're reminded why it is so much better to watch something on television and not in person.  Stage 1 was a three lap loop between Aspen and Snowmass, so we basically only saw the riders at the start, the end of laps 1 and 2, and then for the finish.  What I found interesting was the number of support vehicles outnumbered the actual competitors by a 2:1 ratio!  Those vehicles included tv cameras and photographers on motorcycles, race official vehicles, emergency support vehicles, and team equipment and repair vehicles.  I wasn't sure if I was at a cycling race or a car parade!

I was fortunate to be along the course next to other spectators who knew what they were watching, so they taught me some of the basics.  For the first two laps, there is a small breakaway group that is pushing really hard to generate a gap between that group and the larger "peloton" behind.  The disadvantage of being in the breakaway group is that riders are often without other teammates to support them, and with less opportunities to draft and conserve energy, they are more tired on the third leg when sprinting is most important.  One spectator nearby suggested that the breakaway group is basically a two-lap advertising billboard for the sponsors because they get a lot of the television coverage at the cost of pretty much being guaranteed of getting swallowed by the peloton near the end of the race.

Behind the breakaway group is the peloton, where you can see the teams working together to progress through the course while using aerodynamic strategies to manage energy levels.  In the third lap, this peloton picks up the pace to reduce the gap to the breakaway, then it's a sprint to the finish, especially after the last climbing section of the course.  I'm sure there's a very complex strategy to this sport, and maybe even agreements within the team on who does what or who gets to win (insert "shake and bake" reference from "Talladega Nights" movie), but it's definitely outside my circle of competence.  And I'm ok with that!  At the very least, I got some good photos of the race, and from the event expo I got some free packs of Jelly Bellys, a free t-shirt for winning cornhole, a free cowbell, and a free Marmot waterbottle.  All in all a great time in my book!

As for food in town, I have a few recommendations:

Ajax Tavern:  Located at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola, this restaurant has a great (pet-friendly) patio and scenic views of the mountain.

La Creperie du Village: Delicious and simple french cuisine with a dessert menu full of everyone's favorite crepes!  Also - a dog friendly patio, albeit a very small one.

Grateful Deli: This small sandwich shop on Main Street is a great place to grab a quick bite.

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Exploring Denver

I've been to Colorado a few times in recent years, but never really spent a good amount of time in Denver - what with the mountains shouting my name.  This past week, though, I was determined to learn more about Denver during this round of rocky mountain travel.

A great way to get around the city is by bike.  Denver is one of the many cities that has a bikeshare program, but I was fortunate that my hotel has its own free bike loaner program for guests.  By the way, if you have never stayed at a Kimpton property, you should try it!  Especially if you are traveling with a dog, as I often am.  There is no other hotel group that is as hassle free and welcoming to pet owners as Kimpton.  I love that I can walk through the lobby with my dog on a leash and never be accosted by the questioning glares of other patrons or staff.  In fact, more often than not, I end up running into other well behaved dogs in the guest areas.  In addition, the loyalty program at Kimptons is exceptional.  Then there's the daily wine happy hours...

Anyway, I digress....back to Denver.

When I think of Denver, I think of the outdoors.  It's kind of hard not to with the Rocky Mountains looming to the west.  Not surprisingly, the city has several large public parks.  On my bike tour, I headed out to City Park to wander around its 330 acres.  My main focus was finding the iconic Ferril Lake and boat pavilion.  The fountain in the center of the lake is the original 1908 Prismatic Electric Fountain, where the water is highlighted at night by multicolored lights - a very impressive sight 114 years ago, I imagine!

Denver's rich history extends beyond the park and into other historic neighborhoods.  Near the capitol building, you will find the home of the "unskinkable" Molly Brown - famous survivor of the Titanic, played by Kathy Bates in the movie.

Another historic home you can visit is the Byers-Evans home.  Built in 1883, this home was occupied by two of the city's most prominent families, and it has been restored to its original interior appearance.

In the LoDo, or lower downtown, neighborhood stands the old triangular shaped Brown Palace Hotel.  I was told that in January, its not uncommon to run into livestock in the hotel.  In fact, the National Western Stock Show's annual Grand Champion Steer is walked through the hotel then put on display in the lobby during afternoon tea.  I would love to see that!  From the Brown Palace, if you head up 17th street, you can't miss the gorgeous renovated Union Station.  Just recently opened after a massive overhaul, the new Union Station preserves history while providing the comfort of modern conveniences and dining establishments.  My Denver friend told me over drinks that the local news reported a story on the relics that were discovered by construction crews hidden in the original benches at the station, that are now on display in the station's public areas - train tickets, luggage tickets, Hollywood star cards, etc.  Some of these items were from before 1900!

I also spent some of my time in Denver wandering on Champa Street finding the homes that my Great Grandpa built with his relations for my family between 28th and 30th Street.  My Grandpa actually spent some of his first years in one of these homes.  How neat is it that you can see with your own eyes the results of the labor of your ancestors??

Denver isn't just about the historic sites, though.  It's also about the food and drink!  Here are some of my favorites:

Denver Beer Company - as I mentioned before, I was traveling with my pup.  This local brewpub not only has good beer but allows your furry companion to enjoy the happy hour atmosphere, both inside and out!  Food is limited to large soft pretzels, but there is often a food truck nearby.

Denver Biscuit Company - When there is a bacon topped cinnamon roll on the menu, it's a no-brainer!

Little Man Ice Cream - The line may be long at this LoHi establishment, but nothing is better than this creamy treat on a sunny afternoon.

Of course any summer trip to Denver must include a visit to or a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater.  While the parking is a little on the inconvenient side, especially for a sold out show, no other music venue surpasses the beauty of this place!  I was fortunate to be able to see a concert with three up and coming groups that have some interesting band names:  Deer Tick, The Devil Makes Three, and Trampled By Turtles.

 Finally, one of the great features of Denver is the accessibility of some very scenic day trips.  One of the most popular drives is the trip to Mt. Evans, a climb to over 14,000 feet that includes some sharp hairpin turns and some roads with steep edges and no guardrails.  A $10 park fee allows you to drive to the summit for some fantastic views of the front range.  The fee is waived for owners of an annual National Parks Pass, which I conveniently left in my wallet at home!

Two other great day trips, that can both be done on the same day if you prefer, are Golden and Georgetown.  Both of these towns are old mining towns that retain historic main streets and neighborhoods.

A bit on the longer side, this final day trip suggestion will take you out past Boulder, home of the University of Colorado, to Estes Park.  When you drive into Estes Park, it's hard not to notice the large white hotel up on the hill.  This hotel, The Stanley, was the inspiration Steven King used for his book, The Shining, and was later used for the filming of the tv series with the same name.  Estes Park is an entry point to the Rocky Mountain National Park and the start of Trail Ridge Road ($20 or free for annual parks pass holders - another reminder to bring my pass with me at all times!).  This 48 mile road was built in 1931 and ascends to over 12,000 feet as it winds its way west to Grand Lake.  From Grand Lake, you can make your way through Winter Park back to I-70, that will take you back to Denver.

But before you start your journey into the Rocky Mountain National Park and over the continental divide, perhaps you'd like to stop at Summit View Coffee for a nice Chicken Fried Latte?

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