Are we having fun yet?

Every year in January, near the end of Denver's Stock Show, two prize-winning steers are ushered in on a red carpet to the historic Brown Palace Hotel downtown.  People line up to have their pictures taken with the animals so, if you want to participate and fit in, wear your cowboy hat.  While you're waiting in line watch ladies in Stetsons enjoying lunch and enjoying live piano musician the stunning lobby.  You can also chat with rodeo queens.  Amazingly, the photos are free!

Out on the plains of Colorado, a short drive from urban Denver in the heart of the surrounding farmland, you'll find lions and tigers and bears. For real.

The 720 acrea Wild Animal Sanctuary is a work-in-progress of massive fenced areas and agricultural pavilions connected by a suspended walkway that allows visitors to tour the animal enclosures safely from the sky.

In addition to learning a little about large predators and other rescue animals, the facility itself is an head scratching collection of industrial constructions and contraptions that make the security of guests and animals possible. The 1.51 mile elevated footbridge is Guiness Book of World Records certified as the longest.

And they have a snack bar serving pizza, just to round out the experience.

The "I Made It" community woodshop is a makerspace with a welcoming old school vibe.  The wood is locally sourced, the pricing is by project and folks are ready to help you bring your wood creation to life.  To top it off, you can book parties including their house beer and wine while they teach you how to make...drink coasters of course.  More serious woodwrights can make one of kind pieces of furniture.  This is where your DIY project can become a masterpiece.

The RINO neighborhood of Denver certainly has plenty of murals to see, but only one transforms as you walk, ride or drive by it.  The artist, Jeremy Burns, took advantage of the louvres or some might say fins of the building on Larimer just north of 27th Street.  He titles it "Larimer Boy and Girl".  Here's a video of the effect:

The Equitable building in downtown Denver has a beautiful lobby and it's a great example of Renaissance architecture. That alone warrants a visit.  But if you look up, way up, to the top of the building you'll see what looks like vomiting (or spitting?) lions.  So, look up Denver, you never know what you'll see up there in the sky or on a building.

Tourists and newcomers may be surprised when they walk on the west side of Curtis Street, between 15th and 16th Avenues in Denver.  At times it sounds like a subway is rumbling underneath your feet.  Here's a sample:

There are other sounds that play as well and if you haven't heard them, I won't spoil the surprise.  This audio art has actually been around for decades, created by artist Jim Green-who lives in Denver.  I'm impressed with it's whimsy and longevity.  Enjoy!

It sounds like the perfect alibi: "That couldn't have been me, I was at Grandma's house" or "You know nothing bad ever happens at Grandma's house".  Besides indulging in alibis and irony you can drink beer, play games and join with others in activities such as foul-mouthed cross stitching on Sundays all while surrounded by all the decorations you would find at your grandmothers.

Although it's been disputed by other towns and cities, Louis Ballast trademarked the name "cheeseburger" in 1935.  His restaurant, the Humpty Dumpty Drive In, is alas no more.  But if you go to the Key Bank at 2776 N. Speer Boulevard, you'll find a small marble monument heralding him and his restaurant.  You'll have to look closely for the marker, it's barely three feet tall.  To properly toast one for Louis and his "curb girls" who delivered the cheeseburgers, the nearest spots are Park Burger and Highland Tap and Grill on 32nd Avenue, north of the marker.  A little further away, but at a lower price point, you'll find Burger King on Federal Boulevard and another on 38th Avenue.