I don’t know what I was thinking when I booked a 6:15 a.m. flight to the Financial Blogger Conference, which starts this afternoon in Denver. Why, oh why, didn’t I travel yesterday?
That will teach me to make flight plans while I’m in New Jersey. Apparently the combined impact of heat, humidity and Tastykakes prevented me from thinking clearly.
I arrived shortly after 4 a.m., feeling a little disembodied. Getting up at 2:30 a.m. to catch the shuttle at 3:15 a.m. will do that to a person.
Bonus: One of the other shuttle passengers coughed all over me before blowing her nose vociferously. Ick.
Here’s hoping that my healthy breakfast smoothie (banana, flaxseed, some frozen Seattle blackberries, a little milk and the last of my homemade yogurt) contained enough cootie-fighters to keep me from catching whatever she has. Last year’s conference was a blast, but it was a nonstop-activity, no-sleep blast — not exactly a boost to the immune system.
I’ll try to post an update from the conference. Since my daughter is attending, too, I’m going to stick around a couple of extra days. Are there any Mile-High readers who can suggest some must-see sights?
More when I know it.
Blah! Too early for me. Hope you have a great time!! It sounds terrible, but I can’t wait to see what giveaways you get at the conference to pass on to your readers. Woo hoo!
Yuck! Hope the smoothie and lots of hand washing will keep you well. I also hope you have fun with your daughter and are able to do some good networking.
Gov. Christie will get you for that New Jersey dig if the cooties don’t.
@WWII: I’m from New Jersey. I’m allowed to make fun of it.
If you have a chance go for a free tour at the Denver Mint and check out the area it’s in. Believe those tours are only during the week. Lots of museums, the zoo, planetarium but those all charge admission. Downtown Denver-17th Street Mall-is a great place to just window and people watch. Moved to Phoenix suburb in May from Cheyenne, WY-a short 100 miles from Denver-so we’ve spent a lot of time in Denver!
Oh, if you’d make it to Boulder, which is a hop, skip, and a jump from Denver, go to the Celestial Seasonings factory for the FREE tour-the mint room is amazing. Also right around the corner from it is a cool, very small, free Western art museum. It’s a shame the conference isn’t next month. I’ve never been in a prettier place than Denver in the fall.
Darn — I’m from Castle Rock (south of Denver), but leaving tomorrow morning for, ironically, Seattle. (Got a teaching gig next week.) I’d offer to schlep you around, otherwise.
Red Rocks is interesting. (But further away.) So’s the Colorado History Museum…it just reopened. It and the Capital are downtown…the Capital has some good stuff history-wise, as well, plus beautiful views.
One of the best bookstores in the world is in downtown area Denver — the Tattered Cover. A good place to sit, read and relax — and they’ve got coffee, too.
Try a baseball game. Coors field is beautiful…ok, the Rockies aren’t doing that great this year.
If you can, take a bus ride to Golden — it’s a sort-of small Gold rush-type town on the outskirts of Denver. (It was the supplier town for the rush camps up in the mountains.) Great scenery, a tour of Coors Brewery, a wonderful quilt museum, some nice statuary (including one of Buffalo Bill), little shops…a fun place to visit.
Our weather is supposed to be some cooler this weekend. Cut yourself some slack; you’ll be dealing some with adjusting to the altitude. It will make you feel more tired, and it’s not uncommon to have a headache for a day or two. But it’s beautiful here; you’ll like it.
I have lived in Denver for 22 years. The mint tours are booked weeks in advance. The 16th Street Mall (sorry it’s not 17th Street) is good for people watching (always free) but is mostly chain restaurants and cheap souvenir stores (you might find online coupons though). Lots of interesting antique stores along S. Broadway. I would recommend Red Rocks for sure, Golden, and Evergreen.
Sounds like your Financial Blogger Conference should be fun. I wish I could go! Have fun and please share with us your experience when you come back!
The Botanic Gardens are lovely (1007 York St.
Denver, CO 80206) and one of my favorite places is the Molly Brown House Museum (as in the “unsinkable…”) (1340 Pennsylvania Street
Denver, Colorado 80203). You should be able to get to either or both of them using RTD (www.rtd-denver.com) depending on where you are staying. I would second (or third) the vote for the Celestial Seasonings free tour. I have heard that it is fun.
Donna, if you’re still not feeling well, take the Celestial Seasonings tour in Boulder. They’ve got a peppermint room that will clear out your sinuses — fast!
Ouch that does sound rough but worth it too. Have a great time!