Finding an Internet connection in Aspen, I was able to upload a lot of pictures. (Click the blue word to see the whole set)
 Montana |
 N+S Dakota |
 Colorado |
If you are ever in downtown Denver, you should check out the park system. Cherry Creek and the Platte Rivers meet near Commons Park and have places to play both in the water and out. Along the banks an extensive network of paths cuts through the center of town allowing walkers, bikers, and other adventurers to bypass the rush and enjoy an uninterupted path with frequent entrances and exits. REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) has its flagship store where these creeks meet. In a rebuilt 1900s power station they have transformed an old extremely well built structure that was in disrepair into a model for redevelopment. Built into the Platte is a small kayak and canoe course where city dwellers can test their skills without having to go into the mountains.
Matt and I took a bicycle tour along the waterway and up the 16th Street Mall. The Mall is a pedestrian area with a free bus that stops every few blocks. Bikes are allowed in the bus path only on Sundays, so we were lucky to be able to cruise in the middle of the street. Riding from one end to the other we saw a variety of stores from big box retailers to small boutiques. Unlike the area surrounding Commons Park which has seen a major urban renewal with large-scale residential construction and giant leaps in property values, this adjacent area still has the feel of a place that was spruced up a decade ago, but didn’t quite catch on.
