9/11 Memorial - Broomfield

In addition to the small memorial to the USS Indianapolis at Community Park in Broomfield, you will also find a much larger memorial devoted to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  It is located on the northeast side of the pond inside the park.  It was dedicated on September 11, 2006.

The memorial features three large sculptures that depict familiar images that were burned into our memories in the days following the attacks.  The display also features three walls that depict the three locations impacted that day: New York City, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Lists of the victims' names appear on the back of each wall.

I was actually in the air on the morning of September 11, 2001; returning to the US from Singapore.  My flight ended up landing in Vancouver, BC, Canada and a three-day adventure of trying to get back to Denver began.  It was a challenging day...not being able to contact my family to let them know I was alright, but my story is nothing compared to what many experienced that day.  Hats off to the people of Broomfield for this lovely place of remembrance here in the Denver metro area.

Scottish Angus Cow and Calf

No visit to the Denver Art Museum is complete without checking out the gigantic sculpture known as Scottish Angus Cow and Calf.  Beasts like this have played a huge part in Denver's history.  They still do, in fact, with the annual National Western Stock Show taking place here each January for well over one-hundred years.

These two sit in a courtyard on the 12th Avenue side of the museum.  There are a few benches nearby, so my family and I have had many a picnic lunch under their watchful eyes.  Turkey sandwiches, usually, so as not to offend.

Frontier: Catch

My recent trip to Community Park in Broomfield gave me the opportunity to see several outdoor art displays.  This one was particularly intriguing to me as I have a fondness for art that depicts Colorado's western heritage.  It's called Frontier: Catch.  According to the title plaque at the base of the piece, if you happen to have $9,500 burning a hole in your pocket...it can be yours!  Or, I guess, you can just stop by Community Park and take a look.  It's on the west side of the Mamie Dowd Eisenhower Library, which is inside the park.

USS Indianapolis Memorial - Broomfield

On a recent trip to Broomfield, Colorado, a suburb situated about midway between Denver and Boulder, I came across a memorial to those who served on the USS Indianapolis.  If you don't know the story of the USS Indianapolis...well, then you haven't seen the movie Jaws.

In the film, Captain Quint (Robert Shaw) tells the story of how the ship was sunk by torpedo fire after having delivered the atomic bomb.  The survivors waited four days in shark-infested waters to be rescued.  Of the 1197 sailors on board, only 317 survived.

This memorial was erected in 2000.  One of the major contributors was Broomfield resident and Indianapolis survivor Paul J. Murphy...who I'm pretty sure I met at the airport a few years ago.  I was returning from a trip and was riding on the shuttle bus to one of the long-term parking lots.  With me on the bus was an elderly man and his wife, both of whom were wearing various military insignias.  Some of the other passengers started asking them some questions and they explained they were returning from a reunion of Indianapolis survivors.  "Do you know the story of the Indianapolis?" his wife said.  Of course, my brain thought, "You mean the ship they talk about in Jaws?" but I didn't say that.  Instead, we all just let these folks tell their story...because even if you do know the story it's always better to let those who lived it share.  The wife mentioned that her husband was, at the time, the only survivor living in Colorado.

This simple memorial can be found on the northwest side of the pond at Community Park in Broomfield, right near the amphitheater.

Denver Art Museum - Monet: The Truth of Nature

One of my family's favorite spots here in town is the Denver Art Museum.  Several years ago, my wife and kids visited on a free Saturday while I was out of town.  They liked it so much that we all went back the next weekend when I was around.  Ever since we have made multiple visits to the museum each year.  This weekend, my wife and I went, without the kids, for a special exhibit.

The museum actually consists of two buildings connected by a covered walkway that spans 13th Avenue.  The North Building, opened in 1971, is a seven-story structure that some would say resembles a castle.  This part of the museum is currently closed due to a multi-year renovation project.  The North Building primarily houses what I would refer to as more "historical" pieces of art.  Various sections highlight art from China, Japan, India, Mesoamerica, and other spots around the globe.  Other sections highlight extensive collections of Native American art and works depicting the history of the American west.  Since our family really enjoys history, these are the exhibits that keep bringing us back to the museum.  Thankfully, some items from these collections continue to be displayed in the museum's other building during the construction.

The second building, The Frederick C Hamilton Building, opened in 2006.  This angled building is one of the more unique architectural designs in all of Denver.  To be honest, the building is a bit disorienting for me.  The slanting walls often make me feel like about to fall over.  This building houses the more modern works of art, as well as some special galleries...which is why we were there this weekend.

The primary reason for our visit was Monet: The Truth of Nature; a huge exhibit of over 120 of the French impressionist's paintings.  Denver was the only US city to have the privilege of hosting this exhibit.  The three-month engagement ends next weekend.  Monet is my wife's favorite painter, so this is an event we couldn't miss.

The exhibit really was amazing.  It was also extremely crowded...but that didn't hinder our enjoyment.  The museum offered audio players which provided commentary on a number of the paintings.  I listened to several of the selections, but my wife chose to just let the paintings speak for themselves.  

If you didn't get to catch Monet, well, it's too late.  Though one more week remains, tickets are completely sold out.  Fear not, though, more once-in-a-lifetime exhibits are on their way.  It was recently announced that an exhibit featuring the works of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera will be arriving in October of this year.  

Bob Marley says "Parking in Rear"

Murals are everywhere in Denver...and I dig it.  It's just another way to make the city a bit more interesting.

Now, there is a section of South Broadway, or SoBo, in Denver known as the "Green Mile."  It's actually more like a two-mile stretch, but the distance isn't what most people are focused on.  The thing people are focused on is the high concentration of legal cannabis-related businesses in the area.  It's a different sort of Rocky Mountain High, and it's big business here.  So, I guess it's appropriate that in the heart of the Green Mile, Bob Marley himself shows up in mural form to give parking advice.

This particular mural is at 1800 S Broadway in Denver, right at the intersection of Broadway and Colorado Ave.

Fifty Two 80's

I'm a huge fan of classic movies, TV and pop culture in general.  So, today I finally ended up visiting a vintage toy store I've heard a lot about here in Denver, Fifty Two 80's...and it's pretty awesome!

Now, for those who aren't from the Denver area that may be wondering about the name of this store, allow me to enlighten you.  Fifty-Two Eighty (5,280) is a number seen a lot here in Denver because a mile is Five-Thousand Two-Hundred Eighty Feet.  Denver is, of course, the Mile High City.  This store focuses on toys from the eighties...thus Fifty Two 80's.

I knew there would be some cool stuff at this little shop, but I was not expecting the huge volume of cool stuff!  They had Star Wars toys, Masters of the Universe, E.T., Muppets, Strawberry Shortcake and pretty much everything else from the greatest decade ever!

I was especially impressed with the large selection of movie trading cards they had, most still in their original packages...gum and all.  This included some wax packs of cards that I didn't even know existed.  They had packs of Dune trading cards released by Fleer back in 1984.  I also spotted some cards from the James Bond flick Moonraker and the long-forgotten 1985 dinosaur movie Baby, Secret of the Lost Legend. 

I kind of wanted to just tell the lady at the counter that I'd just take one of everything, but that's not really in the budget.  At some point, though, I do plan on returning to stock up on some memories.  Fifty Two 80's is located at 1874 S Broadway in Denver.

Moo

I'm often fascinated by outdoor art displays.  I think they add a lot of character to a community.  So, as I document my adventures around the Denver area, don't be surprised if I occasionally post pictures of some of the art I encounter.  And what better way to begin than with a random cow tucked away on a side street in downtown Englewood.  I don't know the title of this piece, but you'll find her on Girard Ave between Broadway and Acoma St.

The "Spaceship" Bank

I spent a little time out and about today and ended up in downtown Englewood. One of the most recognizable structures in Englewood is the Community Bank of Colorado.  Many people call this unique building the "spaceship" bank.  I've also heard the word "egg" floated around when describing its look.

Built in 1967, the building was designed by architect Charles Deaton.  Another well known Deaton design here in Colorado is what many call the Sleeper House.  It's a futuristic home visible from I-70 as you head into the mountains west of Denver that was used in Woody Allen's 1973 film Sleeper.

Earlier this year the Egg or Spaceship, whatever you want to call it, underwent some renovations.  The outside of the building was looking pretty unsightly for a while, but today it's weirdness is looking nice and clean.  Not too shabby for 53 years old.

You can find this unusual architectural wonder at 3501 S Broadway in Englewood, CO...right where Broadway meets US 285.
 

South Valley Park

Last weekend was the first Saturday of 2020, and we had a beautiful sunny Colorado day with temperatures in the low 60's.  The perfect day to go out for a hike!  Now, my wife is the one who is always great at finding spots we've never visited before.  Somewhere in the back of her brain she had tucked away the name South Valley Park as a spot we needed to visit someday.  It's a great spot tucked away behind the hogbacks, just a stone's throw away from Chatfield State Park, off of C-470 in Jefferson County.

The park features several hiking trails that are easy to tackle. Actually, the only difficult part about the trails that we experienced was that they were quite muddy and had a few snowy patches. It is winter, after all! The trails weave around a number of rock formations that are quite impressive. 

I was blown away that I had never even realized this place existed! Twenty-six years and I didn't have a clue. I can be a bit slow sometimes. At work on Monday I told one of my co-workers about the park and he instantly knew of the place. "Oh, yeah...my kids and I saw a mountain lion there once." I was glad that wasn't part of my experience. I still get a bit weirded out by the thought that I live in a place where one can just happen upon a "lion" when out for a walk. Don't let that deter you, though. South Valley Park is a great spot to enjoy some of Colorado's signature beauty on a simple hike with the family.

 

New Blog - In and Around Denver

Colorado State Capital - Denver, CO

Like many people who call Colorado home, I am not originally from this region.  I don't get the honor of having one of those bright green bumper stickers that looks like a vanity license plate bearing the word "NATIVE."  Nope, I grew up in the Chicagoland area, but almost 26 years ago my new bride and I made the move to Colorado.  A few years ago, I returned to Chicago for a trip.  Though it was great to see family and friends again, I realized how my connection with my original home had gradually faded over the years.  There are still many things I love about Chicago, but Denver is now my home, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Recently, I've realized that over the course of 26 years, I've barely scratched the surface when it comes to experiencing all the things that Denver and the surrounding area have to offer.  So, I've started exploring more.  You know, hop in the car and see if I can end up somewhere I've never been before.  Since I'm all about documenting things, and I like to take pictures, I decided to go ahead and start a blog of my adventures "In and Around Denver."  I hope you enjoy.