Rocky Mountain High

Weekends rock.

I have returned from a weekend away, and already I want another one. This weekend the Captain and I met up in Denver, because even though it’s not exactly the middle of the country, it’s the closest thing to the middle of the country that’s worth going to. (His words, not mine. Midwesterners, take up your grievances with him.)

Denver is remarkable. San Diego is a beautiful town, but it doesn't have that certain quality that sets Denver apart: the Rockies. Blue Ridge Wannabes though they may be, they are majestic and they are beautiful. Waitresses pull up the shades at sunset just so they can show off their views. To hell with modesty.

Friday night we rolled into Red Rocks, a stunning natural amphitheater just outside Denver. Sitting alongside the stoners and the bobos, the Captain and I enjoyed a stellar show by Ryan Adams. The setting could not have been better: temperate weather, resplendent sky, and rockin’ music amid radiant red rocks. Ryan Adams wasn't bad to look at, either.

Saturday we drove on up to Fairplay, which the savvier among you might recall was formerly known as South Park. Yes, that South Park. We made the hour-long drive among cattle ranches and more big sky just so we could have the Captain’s favorite breakfast. It was crowded and the service was a little slow, so much of my energy went to staying calm as I waited for my food. The Captain tried conversing with me, but ultimately I had to cut him off. “I’m sorry, I really can’t talk right now.” When the food finally did come, however, it was delicious.

Later on we went on a hike. As we tried to pay the nominal fee for admission to the park, the park ranger informed us that our rental car already had an annual pass to all Colorado state parks. This puzzled us. It was a rental car, and its license plates were from Texas. But we went along for the ride, and took in some breathtaking vistas. [FN1]

The mysterious park pass was only one of several fortuitous turns which led the Captain to call us Team Success. Our flights arrived right on time, we got to the concert right before Lucinda Williams, and we were able to meet up with the Captain's freshman year roommate.

We also narrowly escaped thunderstorm after thunderstorm. Everytime we wanted to do something outside, it was sunny and gorgeous. When it did rain, however, the spectacle of rain and thunderclouds rolling across the plains was amazing. It slaked my thirst for moisture, and perhaps more importantly, for variety. I love America.

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FN1. See photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/khc2008/DenverDelight