Skip to main content

2018 Bucket List #1 - Visit Denver


I had the privilege and opportunity to visit Denver, Colorado this past week. I've never been to Colorado, and really, I've never been to much of the country that doesn't embrace a coastline. I've done both coasts and some areas in between - your Chicagos, Nashvilles, Dallas', and Vegas' - but that's about it. 

So yeah, Denver, Colorado was going to be new and exciting for me. 

Making the trip even more exciting was the fact that I would be presenting at the annual NIRSA conference, a governing body for those that are in my industry of higher education college recreation and wellness. So yes, regardless, Denver was going to be special.

Here are some quick thoughts on the city: 

- Denver is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The surrounding mountains remind me of Vegas when you look beyond the lights and glitz of the city. And there were moments where it also reminded me of Seattle with the snow-capped mountains. However, nothing tops Mount Rainer's towering visual presence in Seattle. 

- Denver is also super clean and very welcoming. I stayed in downtown Denver, and everything about the city was clean, polite, and of course, the street art around the city was very cool. The more days I stayed there, the more I felt the similarities of Denver and Seattle. 

- And yes, the liberal weed regulations are very real. Seattle had shops where you can buy. Denver, simply had people walking around smoking the stuff in parks and such. For this New Yorker, it was a bit jarring to see it so open and free, but hey, that's Colorado. 

- Speaking of Colorado, the city does indeed have plenty of immigrants. It's much more diverse than one would expect for being in the middle of the country. It was very welcoming as a visitor, and of course, for the stigma the middle of the country typically carries. 
















- The thin air is real. I was dehydrated for the time I was there - constantly chugging water and rarely eating. One night, my colleagues and I hopped from vendor party to vender party, before walking from downtown Denver to the Pepsi Center, then over to the Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High for another social. About a 2 mile walk, a typical day here in NYC, but you definitely feel it in your lungs. It takes awhile. 

- Much like I did in Chicago, I wanted to go beyond Denver proper and see some of the real parts of Denver. I did just that. What I saw is that Denver, again much like Seattle, has a huge homeless issue, and, that poverty is a really thing in this city. Sad to see, but I always make a point to see all of a city, and not just the touristy parts. 

- Denver's architecture is so cool. So, so, so dope. The red brick theme throughout the city gives it a unique feel, and one that allows it to stand out. 

- And finally, the food in Denver is VERY good. The city doesn't really have a signature dish, but oddly, there are TONS of Mexican places to eat, and the majority of them are so, so, so good. Who knew Denver did Mex? 

All in all, Denver is a really cool city. I actually have a few friends and colleagues within the higher education recreation field who moved out to Denver, and I see why they did. 

And oh, by the way, my presentation kicked ass. Not humble bragging. It definitely did. Next year's conference is in Boston, so you know, not as exciting. But that's just the New Yorker in me.

Recently Read Posts

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Incredibles 2 (2018)

What is it about? The Parr family returns to take on a new mission which involves a change in family roles as well as a new villain. Who is in it? Craig T. Nelson - Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible Holly Hunter - Helen Parr/Elastagirl Sarah Powell - Violet Parr Favorite Scene: After trying to contain Jack-Jack, his constant battle with a backyard rodent opens up the family to the multitude of powers that he possesses, or even, can develop. Favorite Quote: "If you wanna get out of the hole, first you gotta put down the shovel." Review: Like many, I LOVED the original Incredibles film. And yes, I too was annoyed whenever a sequel wasn't announced. After all, there were many franchises that debuted, got a sequel, and even moved straight to release on their third installment before our lovable heroic family got their turn! But I digress... Nonetheless, it finally arrived. And if I'm being honest, The Incredibles 2 was good. It just wasn't what I wa

Dome Pondering Movie Review: We're the Millers (2013)

What is it about?  A veteran neighborhood drug dealer creates a fake family of interesting people in his neighborhood to transport a huge shipment of drugs from Mexico into the U.S. Who is in it?   Jason Sudeikis - David Clark Jennifer Aniston - Rose O'Reilly Will Poulter - Kenny Rosmore Emma Roberts - Casey Mathis

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/2/23

3 Up 1. Women's College Basketball - From the epic semi-final that was Iowa vs. South Carolina that crushed it in the ratings to today's awesome drama that was Iowa vs. LSU, women's basketball earned some much-deserved respect in the mainstream sports media. Shout out to all in today's game - loved it.  1a. Confident Women - I'm not jumping on a hot take regarding Caitlin Clark and Angela Reese. Both are super confident women who talked trash and balled. Give the women the space to do it, take it, and express it - like we do the men. Much respect to Clark and to Reese as well.  2. Wrestlemania - An amazing two nights for the WWE. Just epic storytelling and overall solidifies the greatest live event in entertainment. No one does it like the WWE.  3. Pandemic Over (?) - So, I'm not sure if anyone has officially, officially ended the pandemic - if they did, I definitely missed it. However, with the Senate voting to overturn the COVID-19 national emergency order, is

Impact No Surrender 2023 Review: "Interested in where the Product is Going"

I've fallen behind on my Impact Wrestling viewing, but honestly, that's okay. For viewership and enjoyment, yes. Not so well for posting a review for readership long after it's noteworthy or relevant. But whatevs, that's just where I am in life. Wrestling is much more fun removed from the restraints and influence of the criticism and impact (no pun intended) of the current time. That's just me. You can probably thank social media. Moving on, No Surrender 2023 continues Impact's progress into the new year. The product is still solid and consistent with a nice blend of characters and wrestlers moving in and out of the main event scene, along with a fresh batch of a resurgence of characters and occurrences. Nothing says that more than Rich Swann vs. Josh Alexander.  No Surrender was a solid event, but it does leave me extremely interested in where the product is going, or should I say planning, for 2023. I don't want to say that Alexander's title reign has