Highlands Ranch Classic Car Show 2021

 

Life is beginning to return to normal! Not "New Normal," NORMAL. Everything was shut down last year, but now some of the events we missed out on are coming back. I happen to enjoy car shows. I'm not a gearhead by any stretch of the imagination. To me, as long as the car has four wheels and a seat and gets me where I need to go, I'm cool. However, car shows have become one of my favorite photography subjects. So, while out doing some errands yesterday, I swung by the Highlands Ranch Classic Car Show.

This was the 21st year for this event, conducted by the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association. It is held in the parking lot of Cherry Hills Community Church, which is one of the largest churches in the Highlands Ranch area.

Now, don't ask me to give you details on any of these cars. I don't know anything about them, I just like taking pictures of them. So, enjoy a bit of a photo dump. It's so great to see these events returning!

Rickenbaugh Park - Children's Hospital Sculpture Garden

The area around the intersection of Colfax and Interstate 225 in Aurora is a bit of a medical hub. Actually, that's an understatement. It's a HUGE medical hub. Several hospitals and medical training facilities are located in the space of just a few blocks. One of the largest facilities in the area is Children's Hospital. Since it's no fun being in the hospital, and it's even less fun having a kid in the hospital, Children's has a very welcoming feel. Among the features is a sculpture garden in the front of the facility known as Rickenbaugh Park. It is worth a visit even when you don't have a loved one spending time at the hospital.

Let's take a look at some of the pieces you'll find.

Harlequin by Craig Ponzio
This piece is visible from Colfax as you drive by the hospital

La Dolce by James Vilona

Eclipse by Jesus Moroles

Star Catcher by John King

Bench by Jesus Moroles

Name and artist unknown

The Classics by George Lundeen

Tres Osos by Dan Ostermiller

Fat Happy by Barrett DeBusk

The adjacent hospital parking structure also features some unique artwork that appears to have been created by some of Aurora's youngest citizens.

Children's Hospital is located at 13123 E 16th Ave in Aurora. That address can be a bit misleading, though. Think of it this way, it's one block west of I-225 off Colfax. 

The Giant Pencil

Downtown Denver is the home of many unique sights: architecture, public art, and even a giant pencil! You read that correctly, a giant pencil is a favorite landmark of many Denverites. However, many folks are a bit unsure of what it actually is. Some say it's a smokestack, others say it's one of those chutes for dumping garbage. One article I found refers to it as a coal stack.

The pencil runs up the backside of the University Building, hence why the words "University Building" can be spotted on the bright yellow icon. The building, designed in 1910 by Fisher & Fisher Architects, was originally known as the A.C. Foster Building. In 1920 it was donated to the University of Denver. The school sold the building in 1980. Though the University building sits on the 16th Street Mall, the pencil is best viewed from one block over on 15th.

A few years ago, there were rumblings that changes to some of the neighboring buildings would result in the pencil being removed. For the time being, though, it stands proud in downtown Denver.

The University Building is found at 910 16th Street in Denver, but head over to 15th and Curtis for a better view.

Mid-Mod Architecture - Citywide Banks Building

We've looked at a lot of the mid-mod architecture in the downtown Littleton area, but there are other great examples of this unique architecture all around the Denver area. It makes sense that we would find some great examples along Colfax Avenue. Traveling down Colfax is like taking a trip through time. The street is still home to many of the structures that would've welcomed travelers as they entered Denver from the east. If you're sailing down the road a bit too fast, though, you may miss the unusual-looking Citywide Banks building.

The tall pillars that decorate the front of the bank are definitely the most eye-catching aspect of the building. They look a bit like giant mushrooms. This theme is even continued in the design of the bank's tall sign that stands out by the road.

I certainly get some weird looks when I'm out and about taking pictures of random buildings. I don't think anyone would think it weird to pull over and nab a few snaps of this one, though. This isn't the sort of design you see every day.

The Citywide Banks building is located at 10660 E Colfax in Aurora.

Olde Town Arvada Water Tower

I love it when communities have an icon of some sort; something that is instantly recognizable as a symbol of the community. I suppose for Denver it could be the Colorado State Capital or the "cash register building." For Arvada, though, that symbol would have to be the water tower in Olde Town.

The water tower was built in 1910 to help support the water needs of the growing community. The tower stands 152 feet tall and holds 150,000 gallons of water. Of course, the tower has not held water for some time as it was decommissioned in 1977.

After being taken out of service, the water tower fell into disrepair. An ugly fence surrounded it and trash was often dumped at its base. However, in 1998 a restoration began. Today the tower stands proudly as a symbol of Olde Town Arvada.

The best way to get close to the water tower is to take the walking path that runs along the south side of the railroad tracks in Olde Town Arvada. It is appx one block west of Olde Wadsworth Blvd.

Mt Nebo Cemetery

Once again my explorations of the Denver area have brought me to a cemetery. I know some think it's creepy, but I enjoy taking pictures of cemeteries. On this particular day, I happened upon Mt Nebo Cemetery in Aurora and decided to stop in to take a look.

Mt Nebo is a Jewish cemetery located just a few blocks south of Colfax. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find much information on the history of the site. When you first enter it definitely feels like a newer cemetery. The memorials near the entrance are all nicely polished and sleek-looking. However, if you journey to the northwest corner of the grounds, you will find the older plots. It's not a far journey, as Mt. Nebo is not a very big cemetery.

Though it does not feature unique sculptures or mausoleums, it is a lovely place just a few blocks away from the busyness of one of the city's major roads. You'll find Mt Nebo at 11701 E 13th Ave in Aurora.

The Dream Tree

I've traveled to many places around our country, both large and small. There are some small towns where Walmart seems to be the hub of activity. I mean, when you don't have much in the way of museums, theaters, etc...I guess Walmart is the place to be. One thing I haven't seen at many Walmarts, though, is an art installation. The Wal-Mart in downtown Englewood, however, happens to be adjacent to the Museum of Outdoor Arts. So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you what may be the only Wal-Mart that is part of a museum.

The display called The Dream Tree is on the west side of the store. It was created by a local artist named Todd Siler. The artist says the piece is "a mosaic of motivational thought that inspires action." It certainly isn't what you'd find at the average Walmart, I'll give you that.

The piece is located a block or so away from the other displays the make up the Englewood campus of the Museum of Outdoor Arts. Next time you're checking out that museum, be sure to venture over and see it. Or, pop over to view it before you step inside to stock up on cat food or peruse the bin of six-dollar blu-rays. It's located at 601 Englewood Parkway in downtown Englewood.