Denver - Day 1

I had such an amazing fantastic drama-filled time in Colorado, I'm making it a mini-series of blog posts.

Day 1

Got to Denver no problems.  It's hot as Hades, and I'm a little nervous as no actual "plan" was made on where C was going to pick me up.  I headed out to the American arrivals area (I only had to ask one person for directions) and waited.
Up pulled C - all speeding and slamming on the brakes and grinning.
There was a gigantic long hug, and then we were off.
C had to go back to work for the afternoon, so we agreed he'd drop me off downtown.

He dropped me off near 16th Street Mall.  I wandered around looking for something to eat, and ultimately ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe - don't judge, they had air conditioning and inside seating available.  I ordered up a very large beverage and some snacks and then another very large beverage or two.

After I was full and tipsy, I headed back out.  I found this free shuttle bus thingy that takes you all up and down 16th Street. I rode it's full length twice, and made note of some places I wanted to go.  I lept off at the Money Museum, giddy with the notion that they would give me some $$.  No such luck.  Wandered around some more, found the Aveda Institute.  While I was getting a manicure, I mulled over the idea of getting a burgundy stripe in my hair.  Decided I didn't have time that day, but would return on Saturday to do it.

Ah.....Starbucks.

C called and asked me to meet him "Up the Capital" and gave me some vague cross streets. 
I only had to ask two people how to get there.  I guess "Up the Capital" means up the very steep hill to the Actual Capital. 

We headed over to his band mate's house to load up for the show that night.  I walk in to this lovely house only to be met by the largest dog I have ever seen in my life - Dakota, the super sized Great Dane.  Dakota was busy eating a cow or something when we walked in, so he ignored me.  Only later, after he sized me up and figured out what a sucker I am for canines, did we make friends.  And by make friends I mean Dakota thought it would be awesome to sit on my lap.  I couldn't breathe for a while there, but it was ok.

We headed up to Fort Collins in the Band Van - I felt so.......cool?  Anyway, sitting in the band van, having some beers, getting to know C's band.  Awesome.

Get to Ft Collins, have my first ever Five Guys burger.  Um, yes, please - I will have to find the nearest FG in Chicago.  Go back over to Road 34 Bike Shop - This is a bicycle shop / deli / bar / music venue - I shit you not. 
Anyway, head back over there, see C's band play.  They were pretty good, considering the piss-poor sound tech and that it was the drummer's first show with them.  Beers were DIRT cheap, I mean dirt cheap.  Got my drink on, then got stuck at the bar until the very end.  C and I were a little annoyed we had to stay that late, so we sent each other text messages mocking not only the closing band, but also the other bar patrons.  Oh, we were standing next to each other while we were texting!
Headed back to Denver, finally got to C's house around 3:30 am.

I could already tell, this was going to be one kick ass weekend......