D-Town (Pt 1)

Flew into Denver airport just after 7pm on Saturday, and was greeted by an awesome sunset, and Lauren Almon's excited waving and smiling as she pulled up to pick me up. (for those unaware, Lauren worked closely with my team at UNE for 6 months while she was based out of Sydney - and this was the basis of forming an incredible friendship).

Once we were on the road, we were headed straight to a house party in the south of Denver which was pretty darn awesome. Got to meet Lauren's much talked about friend Laura (oh hey Laura), had a bunch of beers, pizza, tequila shots from an ice luge (hilarious) and dancing in a basement with a pretty awesome DJ. Colorado - you're darn fun, I have to say it.

Sunday morning, Lauren took me to the beautiful Almon home to have breakfast with her parents and older sister Natalie. After my fill of pastries, fruit salad, yoghurt and muesli, it was off to Boulder with Lauren and Nat for lunch and browsing of all the shops there.

Nat said goodbye as we left Boulder, and Lauren and I headed to Breckinridge where we were destined to spend a night, and then have a day of activities...

It was 20 minutes into this ride that I fell asleep... Roughly half an hour later, I awoke with a start when Lauren had to brake suddenly:

[Snorts] "What?! Good morning!! Are we in California yet???"
Lauren replied: "Dave since we're both exhausted I made the executive decision to return to Denver for the night." It was at this point that i wiped the post-sleep drool from my chin and looked up to see the Denver skyline looming ahead. Before heading back to her apartment, Lauren and I shared my first Chipotle experience ("They can't put that much rice in my burrito!!!?!?") while watching the sun set over Wash Park. Beautiful.

Monday morning, refreshed from an awesome night's sleep, Lauren and I set off (again) for Breckinridge for some hiking and alpine sliding. The weather was amazing, and we started the day with a one hour hike right through the heart of the Rockies. I've been spoiled with outstanding natural beauty on this trip!

The alpine slide at Breckinridge was a lot of fun - watch this for an indication - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_7SzIK4g0c. We tried for a second run, but unfortunately a massive thunderstorm loomed after lunch and so they closed the slide and bussed everyone back down the mountain.

Monday night, we caught up with Angela (another great friend and colleague I made through UNE) and her husband Matt. We shared the best mexican meal I've had since being in USA for this trip (seems to get more delicious each time I have it...). After having Lauren and Ange in Armidale so much last year and this year, it's nice to be able to reciprocate the effort and be over in Denver to see where they live.

More Denver photos and stories to come... but these are my thoughts over morning coffee! (Thanks Lauren for the computer use!!)