🇺🇸 Hot Minute Visit to Denver, CO - 08.04.24

Some highlights from a hot minute visit to Denver. I know the place like the back of my hand so there’s much nostalgia about it and zero need for the Google maps. The heat of the summer dissolves serotonin levels so I was a little ‘blah’ when I arrived. I can tend to pick on Denver life like it’s an ex that I need to point out all of the faults… and all the while boasting how great my new relationship is going. The fact is, I have nothing but fond feelings about Denver, and Colorado, and it holds the highest concentration of people I admire and adore. And I compare all other nature places I visit to the Colorado mountains… and little out shines the beauty of it all.

So… that being said… here goes pointing out the horrible things my ex does… the drivers are the worst in CO… 10-20% drive too slow… like they’re on the marijuana or taking a car nap. 40-60% drive like the green flag dropped for the Cannonball Run race… and the winner gets a free ski lift pass or Broncos tickets. “Hit the gas, change lanes, tail-gate, hit the brakes, change lanes, change lanes again, go 90mph, speed up to [facetiously] block merging traffic, change lane after merging car swerves to shoulder and catches fire, serpentine fast/slow all day long, tail-gate the next car… and change lanes once again with eyes closed…”

It’s a thing folks. It’s okay… maybe California people can’t drive all mad max like because there’s too many people and no space to be free… to be yourself… to be your crazy self. I don’t know much (cuz I’m not a doctor) but I do know this; tailgating is an official method of emotional comunication on the Colorado roads (“I hurt inside… so I want you to hurt… 🥺”). There are the 10-27% that drive nice and all textbook like… you know who you are… I mean; WE know who we are.

Anyways, I have to say… I was quite happy to be around less cars and less people…. and more wild animals. It felt like it’s been some weird holiday and everyone is out of town. All of the mountain trails I hiked… I had entirely to myself. Charolette hot springs… I had the place to myself. Highway 6 avenue… I was free to serpentine drive all ‘Road Warrior’ style… like the good ol’days.

I was in town for some medical. I’m fond of the Peña Denver Health Clinic on the Westside, my doctor, and La gente de allí… and will make the haul for the foreseeable future. I’ll be back sooner than later.

I made a side trip to Señor Burritos which is near my old house. The house looks the same… the neighborhood looks the same… and the same kids work at Señor’s. I get the chili relleno burrito every time. One of the owners is vegetarian and it has vegan green chili available and is just the best. I’ve ate more times in that restaurant than any other place in my life and will come no where close to that number in this lifetime. They are moving north in December. A little catchup conversation with the sisters and I feel like I’ve never left.

Some legal business in Lakewood gets me more friend visits and a drive-by in the neighborhood I grew up in. No changes. Except the missing open space on Morrison Rd & Wads… and my sandwich cost $14 at Carmine’s Italian deli… and you tell me California is expensive?!? It’s Lakewood!!! What hell?!?

Most of my time was spent in the hills… it’s 15-25° cooler… and I love forrest bathing. I hit Leadville and hiked a bit… it probably wasn’t the best idea to go from sea-level to 10,000ft and bop around. Yup… high altitude headache happens.

Some enjoyable moments in and around Buena Vista. And yep, all of my time in Latin America has broken the “Byoona Vista” from my Colorad-ah accent.

Last moments spent in the Tennyson arts district, hanging with MsShrry. Thrift store shopping, tacos, good company… it was a lovely lovely day. She has vintage motorcycles in her living room… and that’s all kinds of cool. I mean… I think ALL people should have at least one motorcycle in their living room. The world would be an all around better place… I just know it. 🏍️💙

I’m happily plopped back in LA for a few days… but I look forward to my next Colorado moments. In two short days I head back to Coyoacan… to search for a motorcycle to put in my living room. Look… take the happiness in all its forms… even if it’s a moto next to your coffee table.

#cannonballrun2024

#onemotorcycleforeachhousehold

#rockymountainhigh_colorado

#byoonaVista