Following the previous day's unavoidably cramped ride, the gang was ready to really stretch their legs. We were more than a little curious about the storied effects of altitude on athletic
exertion. Phillip, Patrick, Matthew, Heather and I all went running through the park across the street, breathing in the cool morning mountain air amidst mercifully cool temperatures. The terrain bore no resemblance to our plains home and had some long steep inclines that thoroughly challenged us.
After breakfast we all piled into the van again and went for a ride down memory lane, as Grandma and Papa told us stories from their first years of marriage and early parenthood, showing us their first apartments and houses and described how things changed over the years. Although most of us had no memories associated with these locations or had forgotten much of it, it was fun to laugh together over crazy stories and see the smiles born from joyful remembrances.
Eventually we stopped by to see some old friends and have lunch. Norah and Justin played with our guests' grandchildren and had a grand time running across the lawn with squirt guns. Eventually Justin used his imagination and pointed a toy gun at me and yelled "Freeze Ray!" I was frozen in place until another boy pointed the gun at me and turned me into Spiderman, which spawned the most unusual backyard game of anarchy since "Calvinball" of Calvin and Hobbes fame.
The kids took turns taunting me to chase them, then blasted me with their ray-gun to transform me into ever more insanely specific and original creatures. It started with the simple stuff like "horsey" and "puppy", but the most memorable included a "zombie Spiderman", "Spanish Batman" and a menagerie of roles that tested my acting ability, endurance, and foreign vocabulary.
Afterward, we made a detour to Red Rocks amphitheater and took in the incredible views. Norah and Justin liked the big rocks, but really just wanted to know why they needed so many chairs for people to look at rocks. Justin was particularly fascinated by descending a staircase to check out the air-conditioners servicing the gift shop. Both kids were thrilled to see deer walking alongside the road as we headed out of the park.
To top off the evening we unwound and had dinner on the deck of a really cool restaurant with a commanding view of downtown Denver.
Following the previous day's unavoidably cramped ride, the gang was ready to really stretch their legs. We were more than a little curious about the storied effects of altitude on athletic exertion. Phillip, Patrick, Matthew, Heather and I all went running through the park across the street, breathing in the cool morning mountain air amidst mercifully cool temperatures. The terrain bore no resemblance to our plains home and had some long steep inclines that thoroughly challenged us.
After breakfast we all piled into the van again and went for a ride down memory lane, as Grandma and Papa told us stories from their first years of marriage and early parenthood, showing us their first apartments and houses and described how things changed over the years. Although most of us had no memories associated with these locations or had forgotten much of it, it was fun to laugh together over crazy stories and see the smiles born from joyful remembrances.
Eventually we stopped by to see some old friends and have lunch. Norah and Justin played with our guests' grandchildren and had a grand time running across the lawn with squirt guns. Eventually Justin used his imagination and pointed a toy gun at me and yelled "Freeze Ray!" I was frozen in place until another boy pointed the gun at me and turned me into Spiderman, which spawned the most unusual backyard game of anarchy since "Calvinball" of Calvin and Hobbes fame.
The kids took turns taunting me to chase them, then blasted me with their ray-gun to transform me into ever more insanely specific and original creatures. It started with the simple stuff like "horsey" and "puppy", but the most memorable included a "zombie Spiderman", "Spanish Batman" and a menagerie of roles that tested my acting ability, endurance, and foreign vocabulary.
Afterward, we made a detour to Red Rocks amphitheater and took in the incredible views. Norah and Justin liked the big rocks, but really just wanted to know why they needed so many chairs for people to look at rocks. Justin was particularly fascinated by descending a staircase to check out the air-conditioners servicing the gift shop. Both kids were thrilled to see deer walking alongside the road as we headed out of the park.
To top off the evening we unwound and had dinner on the deck of a really cool restaurant with a commanding view of downtown Denver.
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