And so to Tuesday

For the first time I woke up later than 7am, in fact as late as 7:50. Washed up then climbed back in bed to read, until I finished the latest J D Robb in paperback. Walked to 16th St. free bus, which I took to Sam's No 3 on 15th and Curtis, as recommended by filkferengi, I had ham and scrambled eggs with a stack of 3 pancakes and coffee. The pancakes were the best of my visit so far and it was only $7.39. ($9.00 inc tax and tip). I was able to update my notes, the only down side being a lack of power and wifi.

Went to the Denver Information store, and determined that the best way to get to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was by bus, located about a block away. I followed the directions to the stop and then spent over half an hour waiting in the near mid-day sum. The number 20 finally came along and I paid $1.75 for a 20 minute journey in an air conditioned bus, that did stop right outside the museum. I paid the $11 entrance fee, deciding not to pay the extra for the planetarium or IMAX.

Space Odyssey was fun if a bit simplified, the machine that showed how craters were formed using ball bearing and sand was cool. I got to touch an iron meteorite, but the space section of the Science Museum in London is much bigger ;-) The Gem & Minerals display on the other hand was captivating. On the next floor up, the American animal displays seems to be at odds with current ecological thinking, but I suppose since they have the dead animals in their collection anyway...

Feeling a bit tired from all the walking, I stopped in the Atrium overlooking the city of Denver and a water jet display, and read a few chapters of Donna Andrews, then went to explore the North American Indian Cultures exhibit, which was interesting. By this time it was after 4pm and the museum closed at 5pm so I rushed round the top floor, then went to the cafe to buy a cookie, to get change for the $1.75 return bus fare. I was walking around the building, so I could get a closer look at the water jet display and just as I got within sight of the exit, I saw the number 20 bus arriving at the bus stop! Being too far to run before it left, I didn't more than half-heartedly lurch in that direction. Unlike this morning, I had a shaded bus shelter to wait in, and the next bus arrived only ten minutes later.

I got out at the point in the journey where the bus route intersected 16th St and was only yards away from the Corner Bakery Cafe where I had a soda (where the Sprite flavour disappeared and I had to start on Coke!) in addition I had chicken soup with a turkey, tomato and lettuce sandwich and crisps for $9:92, for some reason my amazon mastercard didn't work so used my Visa instead. Copied photos to eeePC, and discovered I'd had the "take 5 images one after another" option switched on! Also I still can't access the Wifi, so I'll wait till I get back to the hostel to upload.

As it happened I did get WiFi access but via DowntownDenverWiFi and uploaded and checked email from there. A touch of thunder made me decide to head back to the hostel, via Arby's to pick up a Jamocha shake and then in for an early shower and some reading til 9:30. BTW now only 2 others sharing my room.

And so to Tuesday

For the first time I woke up later than 7am, in fact as late as 7:50. Washed up then climbed back in bed to read, until I finished the latest J D Robb in paperback. Walked to 16th St. free bus, which I took to Sam's No 3 on 15th and Curtis, as recommended by filkferengi, I had ham and scrambled eggs with a stack of 3 pancakes and coffee. The pancakes were the best of my visit so far and it was only $7.39. ($9.00 inc tax and tip). I was able to update my notes, the only down side being a lack of power and wifi.

Went to the Denver Information store, and determined that the best way to get to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was by bus, located about a block away. I followed the directions to the stop and then spent over half an hour waiting in the near mid-day sum. The number 20 finally came along and I paid $1.75 for a 20 minute journey in an air conditioned bus, that did stop right outside the museum. I paid the $11 entrance fee, deciding not to pay the extra for the planetarium or IMAX.

Space Odyssey was fun if a bit simplified, the machine that showed how craters were formed using ball bearing and sand was cool. I got to touch an iron meteorite, but the space section of the Science Museum in London is much bigger ;-) The Gem & Minerals display on the other hand was captivating. On the next floor up, the American animal displays seems to be at odds with current ecological thinking, but I suppose since they have the dead animals in their collection anyway...

Feeling a bit tired from all the walking, I stopped in the Atrium overlooking the city of Denver and a water jet display, and read a few chapters of Donna Andrews, then went to explore the North American Indian Cultures exhibit, which was interesting. By this time it was after 4pm and the museum closed at 5pm so I rushed round the top floor, then went to the cafe to buy a cookie, to get change for the $1.75 return bus fare. I was walking around the building, so I could get a closer look at the water jet display and just as I got within sight of the exit, I saw the number 20 bus arriving at the bus stop! Being too far to run before it left, I didn't more than half-heartedly lurch in that direction. Unlike this morning, I had a shaded bus shelter to wait in, and the next bus arrived only ten minutes later.

I got out at the point in the journey where the bus route intersected 16th St and was only yards away from the Corner Bakery Cafe where I had a soda (where the Sprite flavour disappeared and I had to start on Coke!) in addition I had chicken soup with a turkey, tomato and lettuce sandwich and crisps for $9:92, for some reason my amazon mastercard didn't work so used my Visa instead. Copied photos to eeePC, and discovered I'd had the "take 5 images one after another" option switched on! Also I still can't access the Wifi, so I'll wait till I get back to the hostel to upload.

As it happened I did get WiFi access but via DowntownDenverWiFi and uploaded and checked email from there. A touch of thunder made me decide to head back to the hostel, via Arby's to pick up a Jamocha shake and then in for an early shower and some reading til 9:30. BTW now only 2 others sharing my room.

Last full day in Denver

Woke at 6am, but went back to sleep again, and then got up just after 8am. Started walking down town around 8:30. Returned to Sam's No 3 and had 3 pancakes and two eggs (sunny side up) no ham, coffee for $6 inc tip. Really eggselent pancakes. I was seated at the counter rather than a table (due to the pre nine breakfast rush) so didn't get my eeePC out. Then wandered down to the Denver Performing Arts Complex, where the theaters cluster even closer than they do in London.

Sat out on 16th St till 11am when the Rock Bottom, brew pub and restaurant opened, decided that given Colorado's brewing history I needed to have a least one pint on draught. The beer of the day was "Falcon Pale Ale", a pint for $3 (though I didn't get all my change at once, I had to ask the bar staff before the additional $100 appeared!) and while I'm no expert, it was pretty good.

Anyway caught the bus back in the direction to the Civic Center, just as I was getting off Kate and Andrew got on, so I stayed on to the terminus, to chat. They were off to the Nature & Science museum, so I passed on my best wishes and recomendations. Then took the free mall ride all the way to Union Station had a look, and read up on it's history. Back to B&N just after 1pm, succumbed to buying a romance novel and sat down to charge my eeePC, check email and update my blog. Over one hour later....

So around 4pm I made my way back to the hostel, via Walgreen's to buy cigarettes for D and with a stop at Subway for a turkey sandwich and soda. Decided it was nice enough out of the direct sun to sit outside and read, which I did until just before 8pm, when I got my $10 deposit back, arranged as much of my packing as I could and then bought a hot dog and a pint of cookie dough ice cream at the 7/11 just over on 17th Ave., finished the ice cream and then early to bed.

Last full day in Denver

Woke at 6am, but went back to sleep again, and then got up just after 8am. Started walking down town around 8:30. Returned to Sam's No 3 and had 3 pancakes and two eggs (sunny side up) no ham, coffee for $6 inc tip. Really eggselent pancakes. I was seated at the counter rather than a table (due to the pre nine breakfast rush) so didn't get my eeePC out. Then wandered down to the Denver Performing Arts Complex, where the theaters cluster even closer than they do in London.

Sat out on 16th St till 11am when the Rock Bottom, brew pub and restaurant opened, decided that given Colorado's brewing history I needed to have a least one pint on draught. The beer of the day was "Falcon Pale Ale", a pint for $3 (though I didn't get all my change at once, I had to ask the bar staff before the additional $100 appeared!) and while I'm no expert, it was pretty good.

Anyway caught the bus back in the direction to the Civic Center, just as I was getting off Kate and Andrew got on, so I stayed on to the terminus, to chat. They were off to the Nature & Science museum, so I passed on my best wishes and recomendations. Then took the free mall ride all the way to Union Station had a look, and read up on it's history. Back to B&N just after 1pm, succumbed to buying a romance novel and sat down to charge my eeePC, check email and update my blog. Over one hour later....

So around 4pm I made my way back to the hostel, via Walgreen's to buy cigarettes for D and with a stop at Subway for a turkey sandwich and soda. Decided it was nice enough out of the direct sun to sit outside and read, which I did until just before 8pm, when I got my $10 deposit back, arranged as much of my packing as I could and then bought a hot dog and a pint of cookie dough ice cream at the 7/11 just over on 17th Ave., finished the ice cream and then early to bed.