Michael's Meanderings

After I walked past the Natural History Museum on the way to the Science Museum on Wednesday I discovered that the museum was open to 22:30 on the last Friday of the month, So I decided to go and check it out.

Since I was working on the late shift I didn't get there until 19:10, so there wasn't a queue as doors opened at 18:00. I didn't stay late, I left at 20:00, so I only really had time to explore the Cocoon, the collection in the Darwin Centre. The largest collection of biodiversity in one building.

Then home to a fish and chip supper.

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.