Thanks to modern technology, I found out early from Southwest Airlines that my flight was delayed one hour due to weather. No problem, I'm in no hurry, and it gives me more time to get ready and not rush. All packed with goodbyes to Lawrence and Rusty McNose, I'm off.
1:30pmCT: I arrived at Hobby Airport about an hour and a half before my flight worried it was going to be busy with long lines. I once again parked at the Houston Police Department employee lot (free and very secure), got my bags checked and off to the joyful experience of airport security. Surprisingly, there were only five people in line and I was through the ordeal in three minutes. Amazing, considering its a Saturday with bad weather. Cool! Now I have time for some over-priced airport food and about 30 minutes to relax at the gate and enjoy some people watching.
The plane just pulled up and is unloading it's passengers from anywhere, so it's time to line up for boarding. Denver, and a rental car, awaits!
3:00pmMT: Sunshine and blue skies greet us as we arrive in Denver after a fairly smooth flight, even though we went through some slight inclement weather. There were a number of young kids and babies onboard our flight and I expected the worst. Not a peep. Silence. Amazing.
I'm sitting at baggage claim waiting on my two bags. One has regular clothes, the other is jammed with winter wear. I've been watching the weather, and in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, it's already getting into the upper 30's at night. I've made the mistake of not having the right garments for my destination, but not this time. I'm gonna look like a real Texas tourist all bundled up and looking like I should be dogsledding across Alaska. This includes anything below 65 degrees. Let them snicker.
Now, where did they hide the rental car counters?
(Later that same day): I ended up with a Kia Optima for my rental, and it's not too bad. I've never been in or driven a Kia, but it's smooth and has plenty of power. I'm gonna need it as I traverse mountains in the days ahead. I got stuck behind an accident and some road construction on I-70 in Denver so I was delayed meeting my friends Rob and Rob. Yes, there are two of them. That's not a typo. We rode the Denver Light Rail for about an hour then headed to dinner on what they call the 16th Street Mall downtown. It's not actually a mall as it is not covered, and it only allows free shuttle buses down its narrow paths and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic. Lots of shops and restaurants...the trendy place to see and be seen. A friend recommended a German restaurant called the Berlin Cafe, and I enjoyed the Rouladen, which consisted of two rolled up pieces of beef stuffed with pickles, onion and mustard, then covered with a sour cream sauce. Accompaniments were German fried potatoes with onion along with red cabbage. For dessert it was apple strudel. I've made Rouladen at home before, and it's not easy to prepare. Mine is better.
After dinner we all walked down the "mall" towards Centennial Bridge, which is a pedestrian-only bridge located near Union Station. Below us was another light rail station so I caught a train back to my car as my two friends walked over to the Octoberfest going on nearby. We said our goodbyes and I told them I'd see them again next weekend when I make it back to Denver.
Leaving the park and ride lot I got tragically lost out in the middle of nowhere. I had to fire up the GPS device I brought with me to get me back on track. It did. Those things are amazing. On the south side of Denver near what they call "The Tech Center" I found a welcoming La Quinta and checked in for the night. They claim to have free wi-fi, but I can't get it to work. It's always something.
Tomorrow I continue south towards Colorado Springs, where I will detour over to a small community called Cripple Creek where they operate a small little steam train that goes the lengthy distance of four miles. $10 to ride. What's not to love. After that I'll head to Canon City and stay the night. Neither of these places are very far from Denver and I have all day to get there. Hopefully I'll find some interesting places to stop, enjoy, and maybe get a few pictures.
I need to call the front desk. Wi-Fi no worky.
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