Summer Road Trip's Second Stop: Denver Colorado

It was a long drive. Leaving Corvallis for Denver was two 11 hours days of driving and Ava was not happy. After a stop in Twin Falls we strolled into Fort Collins to stay with Aunt Cristie and Papa for a couple of nights while Genie and her family came over. The big news of the two days were that  Italy defeated Germany in the semifinals of the Euro cup and the US supreme court upheald the affordable care act as constitutional.

I met up with Phil for a round of golf at Heritage Eagle Bend. My round was typical. I shot a 46 on the front nine and crapped the proverbial bed on the back to walk away with 100. Not my best. After meeting up with auntie Kirsten for drinks at Milos on Evans and Monaco.

The next day we rendevoued with Ava, Lisa and Genie and Phil and I passed the time at the Harley Davidson dealership. Do you know that some used Harleys are as cheap as $7,000? Coming down to Denver, we took a wrong turn at ended up near Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison Colorado. When we got there, we decided to visit. When we learned the Avett Brothers were playing, we got tickets.

The Avett Brothers are one of my favorite bands, and I can't believe the luck we had. Tickets were sold out, but when I approached the ticket office, they said:
"The band will be releasing some more tickets"
"When?" I asked.
"Right now. How many do you need?"

Shiney luck. Redrocks is an outdoor ampitheature with huge rock formations rising up all around. It's a strand sandstone formation that uniquely was uplifted through subduction when the rocky mountains pushed upwards. Denver is in the background. The site is a perfect temperature. Bands are not truly famous until they've played there.

It was Ava's first show. We were mandated to buy a $50 ticket for her, but it was worth it. As we staggered up the steps to find our seats, I reflected on my first concert. Was is really Metallica in grade 10, or did my parents bring me to something earlier? I couldn't remember.

It was tight. The Avett Brothers started with some of their older stuff I've heard and upgraded to some more rockabilly tunes. The audience was very chill and there was a nice mix of young and old people. I think Ava was the youngest. Seeing Scotty Avett play his banjo made me miss my banj-guitar that I couldn't wait to reunite with when we got back to LA.




The next morning, we had a bite to eat and then went to Dinosaur ridge national monument. As a earth science teacher, I was excited to get some more images and videos for my database. Ava enjoyed walking around the fossils and there was some great examples of trace and cast fossils.

Being a palentoligist with the other kids. The large bulbous shape above Ava's head is the cross-section of a saurapod's footprint.

These are some trace fossil prints. Most likely formed when dinosaurs were walking in mud that got quickly covered up by sediment, mostly likely near a water source. From trace fossils, we can infer the size and behavior of dinosaurs. The large hole where Ava is sitting is where looters chisled out a footprint for themselves. Luckily, this area is more protected now and there are great conservation programs in place. Also, luckily, Scotty Avett from the show last nigth was on the same tour as us. We talk a bit, and I managed to tell him how much I liked his music, actually daddy's bluegrass band back home covers a couple of their song. Nice that Ava could meet such a rocker.

The afternoon was spent with friends and family at White Fence Farm. Lisa's aunt and uncle treated us to lunch and we spent the time after feeding ducks and farm animals out back. I hadn't seen George and Claire since our wedding and George and I chatted photography.

We're at Kirsten's now. Beer and brats are on the agenda. We're leaving Colorado tomorrow for Santa Fe in the morning. July 2nd. My birthday.