Welcome to Denver! This was my second visit to the city, but my first time trying to explore the city. We arrived late Friday night and eventually found our way to the hotel. Just a tip: if you find yourself paying tolls, you’re going the wrong way.

Saturday morning we checked out the 16th Street area downtown. It’s a fun pedestrian area, lined with shops and restaurants. We ate lunch somewhere there. The waiter was awkward and I had the ostrich burger.

Then we decided that what Denver had to offer was the fact that it’s close to things that are outside Denver. We took I-70 heading west, passing through towns like Idaho Springs and eventually stopping in Dillon. I’m not sure of the actual reasons why Dillon was our destination, but it turned out to be a pretty good pick.

Lake Dillon in the background. Awkward glances in the foreground.

Giant dandelion! While I was taking this picture, a random lady rode by on her bike and told us it was a salsify. The process of turning things into salsa?

Dillon was having an art festival that weekend. As advertised, it was solely the highest in altitude. How can you not sell ice cream or something at one of those? I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to be eating something while I walk around looking at art I’d never consider buying.

Sunset on Saturday night. We had dinner downtown, then met Joni’s friend and her husband for dessert.

On Sunday morning we both flew back to where we came from. Joni stopped in Cincinnati, where thunderstorms were delaying flights. Then things took a turn for the worse when lightning struck the radar tower. Luckily, they had a backup system, which I think was an old guy with binoculars and a flashlight. “Better call Steve… it finally happened.”

Click on the panorama below for a really cool large version: