Denver, CO

We departed Phoenix on April 24, but it was a nerve racking departure!  Had new tires put on the Motorhome a few weeks before departure, but when Larry checked the tire pressure all the air came out.  He was able to re-inflate them and called the tire store.  We drove to the store and was assured everything was OK and we would have no further problems, guaranteed (more to come). So instead of departing Phoenix at 6 AM, to beat the forecasted high winds on I-40, we departed at 9:30 AM.  We drove to Gallup, NM the first day (staying in a Casino parking lot) then onto Trinidad, CO on day 2 (camping at the local Walmart).  The 3rd day we arrived at Cherry Creek State Park about 25 minutes from Theresa and Erik's house.  
Seems like rain, wind and cooler than usual weather wants to follow us on this trip. It was seasonably cool in Phoenix when we left and it has followed us.

Wildlife in the Flick's of Denver front yard.  This girl was just strolling the the sidewalk. Neighbor pet???

Went to step out of the Motorhome at Cherry Creek and was greeted by this friendly slithering creature!

Camping at its BEST!  Enjoyed a nice picnic dinner with Mark, Theresa, and Erik which was topped off with Smores for dessert.

The crew visiting CO State Capitol. Theresa and Erik had not toured the capitol.  The capitol took 15 years to build and was completed in 1901. Many state materials were used granite from Gunnison for the outer walls, sandstone from Ft. Collins for the foundations, marble from Marble, CO for the floors and rose onyx from Beulah for the wainscoting.  Ornamental brass (Ohio), white oak woodwork & marble stair treads came from other states.
The dome (272 feet above ground) was re-surfaced with gold in 2013, using 64.5 ounces to cover the 2,842 sq. ft. 

Detailed craftsmanship.

Dome from inside.

Original chandelier was installed with both gas and electric capability.   

Stain glass windows are located through-out the building.  These 16 windows located in the dome recognize the individuals who contributed to CO's initial growth & development.    

The Senate Chambers

Was able to climb to the dome and view the surrounding area.  Looking west with the Rockies in the background.

"Mile High City" - several different survey teams have tried to determine the exact location of 5280 ft above sea level on the capitol steps.  The lowest marker, 9/29/2003, was the last attempt.

A tradition had to be continued!  Whenever Mark and Sheila visited us in AZ Erik and Mark would take a flying road-trip!  Well it continued on his visit to Denver.  

182 Cessna "Charlie Foxtrot" 

Adjacent Cessna awaiting takeoff from Boulder with the Rockies in the background.

Several views of Denver from the air!

This is Theresa and Erik's neighborhood.  If you enlarge the pic I tried to id their house, it's the 4th down from cross street with Cherry street running top to bottom.

Pikes Peak!

Mountains to right heading south

Low desert and plains to the left, if you look hard enough you can see Kansas!!!

A stop in Pueblo, CO for a bite to eat.

Bronco Stadium on the return trip.

A shot from the Science Museum of downtown, this beautiful park is a short distance from Theresa & Erik's. 

An early Mother's and Father's Day Celebration before departing Denver.   Thank you T and E.

Another trip to the tire store!  Remember the guarantee I mentioned in the opening paragraph, the tires once again deflated upon checking them in Denver.  Found out that special valve cartridges are needed when balance bags are used and the Phoenix tire store did not put them in.  CO tire replaced the cartridges and the original tire store paid!   

Camping at Cabelo's parking lot in Kearney, NE on the way to Sioux Falls, SD.  This was Cabelo's 2nd store, not as large as the new ones, was disappointed because they did not have a restaurant to get an Elk burger!