May 23, 2023

Trip Back to Denver

Trace and I took a whirlwind trip in March back to Denver to see some of our friends there. It was five of the busiest days we’ve ever spent on a trip. But we had a great time visiting with all of our old friends and neighbors! Plus, we got a chance to eat breakfast at some of our old haunts like The French Press and the Blue Sky Cafe, both out in Lakewood. Plus, I had to visit a Noodles and Company while we were up there, as we don’t have them in Texas, and I miss it dearly.

We got in on Sunday and were going to see Bob and Sue, a couple that we have known since our Army days. But as luck would have it, Sue fell on some ice and shattered her kneecap. So they were unable to come down to Denver to see us. So we just got our rental car and got to the hotel and settled in there for the night.

We had so much fun the next few days visiting some of our old haunts during the day, and then getting with friends in the evening. On Monday, we spent the evening with the folks from the cul-de-sac where we lived in Lakewood. It was fun getting caught up with all of them. We were surprised that the neighborhoods there were unable to stop the building of an apartment complex where once stood the White Fence Farm restaurant. When we left in 2019, they had hired a lawyer to fight the development. And while they were able to get some concessions from the developer, they were ultimately unsuccessful at stopping the development. What a shame!! But it was something Trace and I noticed all over the Denver area. There are so many apartments going up all over the place! This is definitely not the same Denver we moved to way back in 1985!

The next evening, we went to dinner with our friends, Gunar and Charlie. I used to work with Gunar, and we’ve been friends with them for years. They both are looking so fit and svelte. They told us they were working out with a personal trainer and it really shows!! We had a great evening together!!

The next evening we met up at BJ’s Brewhouse with a bunch of folks that Trace used to work with. I know that Trace really enjoyed catching up with all his “friends from work”. I was his “designated driver” for the night, so he could enjoy some adult beverages with all his friends. It was a fun time!!

On our last evening there, we went to the Royal Hilltop Pub where we met up with some of my friends from work. It was Trace’s turn to be my “designated driver” for the evening. It was great seeing all the ladies that I used to work with. Gunar and Ward also showed up a bit later. And to everyone that showed up that evening, I owe you a great debt of thanks, for not only showing up, but for picking up my tab. When I asked the bartender how much I owed him, he told me that it had already been taken care of. So THANK YOU for that!! I owe y’all one!

I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that more of the guys didn’t show, but I guess it just makes you realize who your real friends are. Nevertheless, it was still a fantastic evening to catch up with such dear friends. Obviously, y’all are invited down here to Texas anytime. I promise to show you a fantastic time and even buy you an adult beverage (or two)!

(No pics from this trip. Well, actually we did take some pics with us and our friends, but I won’t post these pics as I don’t have their permission to do so. And I like to respect my friends privacy.)