We "heart" Denver!

We just got home from a very productive, very fun weekend in our new hometown.  We really didn't want to come back, so I think that is a good sign!

We left bright and early Thursday morning but had to sit on the runway in Tucson for about 45 minutes waiting for the fog to clear in Denver.  Mom wasn't thrilled with that idea since in was supposed to be another 80 degree day here but she decided to go anyway.  We got to Denver about 10:30 and it was cold but we soldiered on.  We picked up our rental car and started Day One of our Denver adventure.  We swung by dad's work and then drove by some places dad found that might be nice to live.  After a quick lunch, we checked into our hotel and then headed to downtown to check out the aquarium.

I loved every minute of it and didn't stop talking the entire time, pointing out everything there was to see to mom and dad and to whoever else would listen.
After several hours there, we headed over to the R.E.I, which was, to put it mildly, amazing- for mom and dad anyway.  It was HUUUUUUGE.  It is in old train depot and is three stories of "stuff".  We were hoping to score some good deals on winter gear for next year but we only ended up with a pair of gloves for me and a scarf for mom.  The coats will have to wait.  After mom and dad got their fill of R.E.I., we headed back to the hotel (Can't miss happy hour you know!).  This happened to be around rush hour and it was about this time that we decided Denver people (Denverites?) were weirdly nice.  Mom had conversations with at least 4 different complete strangers ( and no one ever talks to mom and dad, not even their friends) AND people drive the speed limit during rush hour and don't tail gate.  I'm not sure how we are going to fit in here.
On Friday, we met our "relocation specialist" and drove all over tarnation looking for a house to rent.  We were in Aurora, Centennial, Parker and Highlands Ranch.  We found some pretty neat places but Highlands Ranch won out.  It will be the longest commute for dad but we couldn't pass up all of the bike lanes, parks, great schools, rec centers and closeness to the mountains.  Now comes the hard part of finding a job for mom and something to do with me for the summer.
On Saturday, we slept in a bit and had a lazy morning.  We drove by our new house again and then headed back downtown to the Museum of History and Science.  Holy Ding Dang Dong!  They had a lot of dinosaurs!  I was able to tell mom and dad (and anyone who would listen) about all of the skeletons and statues- what kind of dino it was, whether it was a carnivore or herbivore and why.  It was quite educational!

We had lunch at the museum and mom was so very excited to see they had green chile stew and it was REAL green chile stew and not some weird Texas version.  An even more pleasant surprise is that it was pretty tasty with a good kick to it also.  One more reason to like Denver- New Mexico Mexican food!
After lunch, we headed out for a walk at City Park and spent some time playing at the play ground, feeding the ducks, soaking up the sun and marveling at how many people were out running, riding bikes etc.

Sunday was another bright and early day.  Denver is a big city with a BIG airport and it took a lot longer to get through than our nice little airport here in Tucson.  That will take some getting used to!  We also had a little snow to deal with but the roads were clear- so no issues there.
We got home around 10:30, just enough time to do some laundry and pick up the house a bit before dad and I headed out to the park to meet up with my cousins Ashley and Maggie and Jared who just flew in from Vermont for the weekend.  I had a great time playing with all of them, flying kite and playing soccer.  As expected, it was an early bed time for me and we are back to normal tomorrow.  Dad has to fly back to Denver to work for a few days tomorrow and won't be home until Thursday so mom and I are going solo for a few days.  We will be glad to get this move over with!