Ancient History

For my last day in Colorado, I went to the Morrison Natural Museum of History first. It was here that I learned about some of the bones that Arthur Lakes and his company had sent to co Marsh Hattie Yale University for a paleontological examination. some of these bones, such as the Allosaurus and Triceratops, we're over 90 million years old, and some fossils were found well before the Jurassic Extinction. It is incredible to see or evolutionary past at play, and even more incredible 2 c rock that are close to a billion years old.

I would NOT want to be impaled by that!

are then decided to take an Uber to the trailhead of Mount Falcon, a peek of right around 8,000 feet. The trails were easy and paved, and I found myself making good time on the trail. I reach the ruins of the Walker home, turned around on the Meadow Trail, and then hiked 2000 feet up the tower Trail to reach the summit. I was so thankful that my Uber driver provided water, because I needed every last drop to forge my way. The views, though? Worth it. 

It can't get much better than this (referring to Colorado as a whole).

I then had an Indonesian uber driver take me to Dinosaur Ridge, where he told me about his culture and the things that he misses about home. His advice to me? "If you want to see Jakarta one day, you'll make it happen. You're a smart kid." I am so thankful to have met this wonderful man in my travels.

Dinosaur ridge was chock-full of cool things to see and do. A proliferation of what I saw at the museum, There ere actual dinosaur tracks in the mountainside from the Cenozoic Era, and bones entrenched in the mountainside from the Triassic Era. Some of the shale here dated back a billion years. After this adventure, I headed to the Airport and said farewells to my new favorite paradise of the world.

Upon leaving, I had to go through additional screenings because of losing my license on the train in Denver. Both of the guys involved in my screen and clearance felt genuinely bad for me for losing my stuff, but also gave me suggestions for further travels and whatnot. both of them had actually been to my home state, and encouraged me to go Explore a museum near my house. Considering as to how my TSA process was extremely painless, I'll have to take him up on that offer.

And so, with a final run to China Wok and Einstein Bros, I disappeared into the airway terminals, met a few really cool people to converse with, and flew into the night. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Mansions and Avalanches

On the second day, I took a 4-mile walk 2 the Highland Ranch. I have recovered quite well from a day of hiking prior, so I figured that I would add more insult to injury. After a 5 minute Uber the rest of the way, I arrived.

And to think this building was once a ranch house!

The Mansion is 27,000 sq ft and was first settled in 1884 after a big move by Samuel Allen Long from a farm in Pittsburgh. called Rothersford. it was then toned and expanded upon by John Springer, a businessman from Texas. it was next owned by Waite Phillips, the same person who produced the Tulsa Oklahoma Art Museum from his old house and also established Philmont Scout ranch in New Mexico. in the 80s or so, it was purchased by Lawrence Phipps, the only man to live in the house (and he did so for 39 years). the residents was then finally purchased in 2010 in renovated, and became the beautiful space that it is to this day. after this, I got an Uber from a man who was well versed in the town's history, and who encouraged me to visit local spots. This included the Highline Canal, a feature point of dry farming and great for tubing, the residence of Richard Little, and the Welte Cheese Ranch.

The first room of the facility, and the most opulent.

I then took a ride into Littleton, where I got my next two tattoos at Think Tank South. This was followed by Lunce from Grande Bistro and two beers at Ned Kelly's Irish Pub, some walks at Bega Park, and a light rail trip into Denver. Although I wasn't in Denver long due to heading to a concert that night, I had a blast for the few minutes I was wandering town. I bought after care at Whole Foods for my tattoo and headed back into Highland's Ranch.

Oh Ireland, how I have missed ye.

On my way back to my friend's apartment, I had a great time chatting to some locals, but I made the Fatal flaw of leaving my wallet on the bus. They never found it, so I ended up canceling all of my cars and getting new ones when I return home. This was the pic fall. However, this Pitfall still landed me enough time to go to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and see a gnarly outdoor concert.

what was really neat about Red Rocks Amphitheatre is that it is settled in a Precambrian River Valley that was dug out and turned into and Amphitheatre. There's so much culture and history here dating back literally millions of years, and I felt quite of these monks all the people who are way too Under the Influence for their own good. We didn't stay long, as tomorrow was another early day filled with canceling credit cards and talking to people about my driver's license, but it was well worth it.

It was too dark for good pictures, but this is the site model.