Discovering Denver #4: Attend the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market

Lucky Finds!

I finally made it - crossed another one off the Discovering Denver (love that 20 months into the move, I'm still 'discovering') list this past Saturday.

Linz had come down from Pine, we were in a state (see: hungover) and at Brunch with Bill and Cam when I said "You guys, I have to make it to the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, it's been on my list forever and I've been out of town for the rest that were held this year!"

Good friends being good friends, they agreed to go with me (even though it was all of 38 degrees outside). My other Pinterest addicted friend, Miranda, met us there and we chattered through the rows and rows of booths - it truly was like Etsy come to life and OH! if we could only Pin things IRL, our boards would have been filled!

Then came my lucky find on a cold fall day! One of the last booths we stopped at had an afghan that caught my eye - is that Chevron?? Well, yes - yes it is, it just happens to be a blanket version of the couch I so desperately have been pining after. I glanced at the price tag - $15?!? No. There must be another 1 in front of that figure. So I ask the gentleman tending the booth - 'excuse me, sir, is this $15?' 'Yup, $15.' I was so excited I blurted out their tag line, "LUCKY FIND!" which got me a cute pint glass which then inspired me to buy the shirt!

So, folks - I got all of these goods for $25. And on Sunday afternoon, I snuggled up under my new chevron afghan and finished my book as one happy girl.

Do you understand why Miranda and I already have the date saved for December 8th when the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market brings a Holiday Market to life?

Don't worry, I'll be sure to pick you something up.

Discovering Denver #32: AQUA GOLF!

Much to my (pleasent) surprise, I was told by my date on Monday that we would be heading to Aqua Golf for our Tuesday night outing. You mean the place where the driving range is located over a giant lake and you just hit balls in to the water?!? Once he confirmed, that yes, that was indeed the idea of Aqua Golf - I think my response was something along the lines of....

SO. EXCITED.

I'd been to a driving range once before - and I'm pretty sure that once before was some time in high school. Now my put-put skills are pretty much on lock but um actual golfing skills - eh, not so much.

As my date was trying to show me that there was a tab bit more to golf than just swinging at the ball and trying to hit it as far as possible - I started to think that Old Fashioned (or two) I'd had over dinner may have not been the best idea. I could not remember to not swing my arms or my hips, letting my upper body do the work all while keeping my left foot firmly on the ground.

Luckily, I had a very patient teacher and eventually - about 100 balls and likely 132 swings in (I may have missed the mark a few times)- I got the hang of it**.

*Kind of. *And am still so incredibly sore two days later.


Watch out, Tiger. Or maybe this means I can finally play in JT's Shriners Open. Hey, a girl can dream.

Discovering Denver #25: Brunch at Jonesy's

Every once in awhile, I have to go back to either my 100 post or my Discovering Denver post and most of the time - I realize that I have since completed something on the list that I can now cross off and share with you.

Since my last visit - I've realized that thanks to my shiny new dating life - I've not only done one thing on my Discovering Denver list but I am going to be able to mark off another come tonight.

I had brunch at Jonesy's a few weekends back. I had the French Toast that is served with maple syrup (dad would be proud) and vanilla bean whipped cream (which I would have eaten as an entire plate itself). Unfortunately, I was heading up to Pine that afternoon so I was unable to take advantage of the bottomless mimosa offer but the coffee was superb. As was the company. So overall - Jonesy's gets a five-star rating from me and I am sure it won't be long until I return.

Afterall - I've got to get back for those bottomless mimosas.

Denver Cruiser Ride

Last night was my first experience of the Denver Cruiser Ride. And let me tell you, it will not be my last.

Even before I moved here, I had heard about this gathering of bike riders every Wednesday night throughout the summer in Denver. From what I gathered, it was some kind of bar crawl with a route map that people followed and each week had a theme. So I thought it would just be some kind of fun community get-together that got people out and active and drunk in the middle of the week. Well I am here to say - it is much, much more than that.

I had marked my calendar months ago for the Circus themed week, knowing that it would be a carnival of sorts and seemed much more me than the Rave theme that is next week. There are three start bars to choose from - Linzi and I picked the Skylark which is about a 3 mile ride from my house. We were slightly afraid that we were going to pass it but as we pulled up on our bikes - we quickly realized there was no way in hell that could ever happen. Hundreds of people, along with hundreds of bikes, were out front of the bar and I'd say 50% of them were in some kind of circus getup.

Pumped and ready - I went to pull my i.d. out of my fanny pack (some things never change and/or go out of style, my babies) and realized that I LEFT IT AT HOME. 3 MILES AWAY. In typical Linz and Kate style - we decide not to bike back but instead call a cab, have him run us back to my place, grab my i.d. and get a ride back in time to ride with everyone to the second stop of the evening. Well, (our) luck would have it and by the time the cab got us back to Skylark - the masses had departed. Making lemons in to lemonade - or rather jager into jagerbombs - we took this opportunity to take advantage of the empty bar and drink in peace before biking the 3 miles to the next stop.

By the time Linzi and I arrived to the C.O.D. (Circle of Death) in Civic Center Park - a crowd of oh, I'd say 3,000 (not an exaggeration) had gathered. I am being totally serious when I tell you that I have never quite see anything like it in my life. There were guys dressed as clowns, people half-naked running around with balloons tied to them, girls in spandex and then a giant circle of people just riding bikes around - I am sure - intoxicated (hence the C.O.D.). There were unicycles and carts and lit-up bikes and the best people watching experience you can imagine.




If you think your city has a bike scene - I challenge you to come experience a summer Wednesday night in Denver. This city made me proud last night - while also, blowing my mind.

I cannot believe that this has been happening five blocks from my house for the entire summer and I had no idea. It is truly, truly something to see. I've checked the theme schedule for the remainder of the season (rides happen through September 28th) and you can bet your front wheel that we will be back.

Discovering Denver #9: Camp Anywhere and Everywhere

Ok so I haven't quite gotten to the "everywhere" part of this one but I did go camping in Colorado two weeks ago. Alongside my partners in crime, I headed to Geneva campgrounds at 9,800 feet. I was warned to bring warm clothes. And lots of beer.

After loading up the four-wheelers in Evergreen, we took the trip up and over the mountains. As we kept driving, I couldn't help but think "You're not in Vegas anymore" - snow on the side of the roads in late June? Trees and greenery for as far as the eye could see? I took it all in and then pitched my tent. Well, Michael pitched my tent - but I was there to assist!


We spent the day hiking around, drinking those beers and chasing the dogs down. I rode a four-wheeler for the first time in my life and was loving it! I, of course, preferred the one that drove more like a car but that was only because I felt more comfortable there putting the petal to the metal.


Hiking through the back forest and watching the sunset through the trees was honestly one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen.


There was something incredibly refreshing about being totally disconnected from the world for two days. No Facebook, no blog, no cell service. Just good friends, breathing taking views, cold beers and lots of dogs.







Temperatures dropped at night but it wasn't unbearable...between a few layers and some s'mores - we made out A.O.K.


We were woken up early by the sun and spent a few hours enjoying the fresh air before heading back to civilization. Not before, of course, I drove my car up on to a tree stump**.

#typical.

**special thanks to Josh and Michael for, once again, saving my ass and getting me off that tree stump thanks to a jack, neutral and some manpower.

Oh, Hey June + Discovering Denver #34: A Show at the Ogden

My month of happiness has arrived. Although, I do have to say that 2011 has been pretty happy all around. Nothing beats mon amore, June, though.

I kicked off the best month of the year by attending my first show at Denver's Ogden Theater last night to see Yeasayer.

The 1917 building is located a short two blocks from my apartment so Kristen came over for to tailgate and we took a summer stroll to the show. If you ever have the chance to see Yeasayer - I highly suggest catching their show. They incorporated some great light visuals in to their show, Chris Keating - the group's lead singer has a haunting voice that carried so well throughout the old theater and not to mention - the dancing.

Their performance of Tightrope was my favorite last night - here is the song, try to imagine it live.

Theme for the summer: If you want get it big time, go ahead and get it get it big time.

Discovering Denver: #3 Get a Pancake Flight at Snooze

Andy and I have been eating pancakes together since we were old enough to tear them apart and stuff them in our mouths. One of my greatest memories of all time is watching that boy eat 4 dozen dollar pancakes at Uncle Bill's in Stone Harbor, NJ.

So when Andy called asking if I wanted to do breakfast Saturday morning at Snooze before a trip to REI- I was all over it - "I'm getting the Pancake Flight - it's on my list!"

Snooze is THE CUTEST breakfast place I have ever seen. Very retro, with a friendly staff, killer coffee mugs (I even inquired about purchasing one but changed my mind at the $18 price tag) and pancakes done right. They were totally worth the 40 minute wait - especially since the wait comes with unlimited self-service at the coffee and water station.

For my flight - I got original (you know me), Chocolate Chip (you know me again) and Red Velvet. I loved the variety. Best. Idea. Ever. And so PRETTY! Next time, we'll be sure to order the Mimosas, too as we were seated at the bar and it sounds like they offer quite the variety in that arena, too.