Denver, Colorado

 

Ah, Denver…what can I say about you? I think at this point we have a love/hate relationship going. Would I date you again? No! Maybe a small kiss? sigh…sure.

I recently spent 2 weeks in Denver, two of the longest weeks of my life. I was supposed to stay for a month but as soon as I stepped out of my Airbnb that Friday morning to go grocery shopping I knew I’d made a mistake. Rather than shop for the coming weeks, I bought a banana, a loaf of bread and some deli meat and a cold bottle of Prosecco to tide me over while I thought of a new plan.

It wasn’t Denver itself, but it’s people. Everyone I encountered looked weathered. Skin leathery and wrinkled. They looked like life in Colorado has been tough. I later found out that skin cancer is high in Colorado because of the elevation, the dry air, the almost year ‘round sun and skiing. The reflection of sunlight shining up from the snow on people that thrive off of Winter sports. Yikes. The sun has been bad to them.

As a New Yorker, I love to walk. Denver is not a walking town. Everything is walkable but people just don’t walk. My apartment was down the block from a really nice strip mall. The supermarket, wine store, Home Depot, Sams Club, McDonalds, Starbucks…all of it right there and yet everyone drove. I stood out like a sore thumb every time I went out because I was the only one on foot. Also I was the only woman of color that wasn’t strung out or begging for money. People looked at me like ‘who is this woman of color walking around?’ Every time I went out I felt like all eyes were on me. Not a good feeling when you’re a woman traveling alone. 

I’ve never felt that any other place I’ve been alone.

It was also the homeless and down and out vibe that is so prominent in its people. It’s disheartening the amount of people that are on the street through poverty and/or mental illness. Every block there is either an encampment or someone sitting in the dirt holding a sign. One time I went out for a walk and on the corner of my block was a man yelling at every car that passed by. He was fed up that no one was stopping to put money in his can. I turned around and went back inside. 

My purpose for coming to Colorado was for the outdoors. I also have friends in Denver that I was looking forward to spending time with. I decided rather than ditching this town right away I would hang on for a while longer and do the nature activities that I came for. I pulled up my big girl panties and booked a couple of day tours. I did a hike in Rocky National Park and another hike through the foothills and Red Rocks Park. What a beautiful experience. The smells of the forest. The crisp cold creek water that I stuck my feet in for ten minutes. The sound of insects and birds. And sometimes the sound of nothing. 

For a moment I thought maybe I would stay just so I can visit the parks everyday. 

But no. Getting back to my apartment reminded me why I shouldn’t stay.

I decided to book a flight to Dallas to see my brother. It was a safe place. I had been to visit him a few years prior so I already knew the vibe was right. The moment I arrived in Dallas I let out a comforting sigh because I survived Denver, by what felt like the skin of my teeth. I was in a place with people I knew and with people that felt welcoming.

Would I ever visit Colorado again? Sure. But only for a weekend of outdoor activities… and with a group! Never again on my own.

Goodbye Denver. 

delicious burger from Hopdoddy's 

super spicy but oh so good! fried chicken taco with jalapenos and spicy mustard

Icy cold IPA

couldn't leave Denver without trying the famous Denver Biscuit Co. 

The Dahlia - sausage fried egg and cheddar on a soft old fashioned biscuit