tripping across amerikkka

[Guest guest]

Ok, just to bore you all to tears…

I finally finding a moment to regal you all with the fun and exciting, yea,

almost TITILATING tales of my recent trip to Denver

I can just feel the anticipation….

 

Anywho, after a long weekend, we got ready to leave on Monday the 25th.

Went down to the car rental place(how I wish it was easy to rent a hybrid…)..

And of course they didn’t have a car ready…as a matter of fact..they

didn’t have any cars….we waited around, and finally someone returned a

truck, so they let us have that instead for the same price….

Hit the road…and Rebecca immediately got sick…

And was sick the next three days

Got to Sparks/Reno Nevada…had lunch at Great Basin brewery(well..brunch..it

was like 10:30 in the AM)…real helpful waiter, as he let us know that the

chips were made by them, so cooked along with the fish..yuck..had good veggie

sandwiches…and of course beer, beer and more beer.

(chips as in tortilla crisps…for you limey types)

Then hit the road again..down I-50 (loneliest road in America)..definately more

built up then it use to be …tho pretty out there

Stopped in Austin(old semi ghost town)..got weird looks from the local

sheriff…

Snapped an awesome picture of some ravens in a skeletal dead tree over this

wreck of a building…

Stopped in Ely to look fer wood..person at a convience store said when we asked

“where can we get some wood?â€, “Up in the hillsâ€, with a total straight

face…

Not exactly what we meant…

Anyways…got directions to the local grocery store..found wood..and then were

amazed by the amount vegan and organic items..all jammed together in one

section..muir glen, seeds of change…but still..ely is pretty much bumf*ck

nowheresville…

Ended up at Great Basin National Park

Drove around in the dark, looking fer a camping spot. Lucked out and stumbled

into this one empty campground…found killer campsite…in the trees, sheltered

from the roaring wind

But boy was it cold!

It got down below freezing(we were up over 7000’)

Luckily we had our sleeping bags and plenty o blankets…

Next morning..had breakfast(nummy stuffed peppers)

Walked around…beautiful up there…have to go back some day

 

Once again on the road…

Entered Utah…love the countryside(especially southern utah)..not thrilled with

the people nor their attitudes. Went to Capital Reef National Park…wandered

around a bit…

Lotsa canyons…petroglyphs..beautiful vistas…it was rebecca’s first time

there, and it seemed she liked it..

Then stopped for the night in Moab…had snack at Eddie Mcstiff’s

Brewery…really good humous…ok beer..weird how they can make ok beer when its

so low alcohol…

Had a quick beer over at moab brewing..but it was mobbed, so we didn’t stay…

Camped along the Colorado river..sorta crappy location, as their wasn’t much

available..too many people.

We were right by the road..but..eh..we made do..sat around watching the scores

of bats swoop over head, drank, and made vegan sausages…

 

Wednesday arrived..and we packed up once again. Went thru the canyons along the

Colorado…very pretty thru there…and finally entered the state of Colorado…

Stopped at Grand Junction(kannah creek brewing)(no food)

Stopped in glenwood springs, which is famous for its hotsprings..another

brewery..no food(everything was continually meat, and more meat, with lotsa

cheese…)

Good beers tho..nice view in an old brick building/hotel

And just before the Glenwood Canyon…which is really nice…freeway goes right

thru it, tho they had to be as least destructive as possible(when the freeway

was built, the contractor was changed for every tree removed)…

Up into the Rockies..snow capped peaks dominate everything.

Stopped in Idaho Springs…old mining town…and once again, another brewery(do

you see a trend?) Tommyknockers. Prolly one of my top 20 US breweries. We ate

something, but heck if I remember what it was. Couldn’t have been that good.

Great beers tho. Plus I love the old downtown in Idaho springs. Very late

1800’s feel.

Finally, went up over the last range, and descended into Denver (which is still

a mile high in elevation) it had just rained the day before, so it was a little

cool at first.

Found our hotel. Which Rebecca felt was just a tad spooky. She kept expecting to

see dead twins standing in the hallways. Our own minature Overlook Hotel!

And then I immediately broke our Glenwood Springs Brewery pint glass and two

smaller glasses when they fell out of the truck door.

And then headed out to see what we could see.

 

The thing about Denver.

a. the entire town smells like a cigarette. I think it’s a law that everyone

has to smoke

b. the sun is three feet from the ground (as Rebecca continually complained)

c. last year it seemed everyone was thin, to the point of anorexia…this year,

everyone looked overweight and unhappy….consequences of atkins?

 

Of course we stopped at Watercourse..everyday…

I’d read a bunch of complaints about the place(surly waitstaff, small

portions, etc), but we loved it as much this year as last. We generally got

seated right away. Portions and price were fine. Good Selection. Its loud in

there, but, that to me just means folks are enjoying themselves. And their vegan

desserts are delightful.

 

First nite..many beers at falling rock tap haus.

Thursday(after breakfast at watercourse), were suppose to go on a bus brewpub

tour..but it was late, and we are really impatient..so ended up taking a walking

tour. (Brekenridge(vegan chili), and Flying Dog)

At flying dog, we were the first to taste their special Saison they made…and

then they gave us tickets to an after GABF party on Friday(at midnite..gawd help

us)

Tottled down to the Great american beer fest

Had a great time. Barely made it down two rows. Scores of tasty beers. Ran into

a ton of people from all over, who knew us, er recognized us. Somehow left and

made it to watercourse for dinner at like 9pm.

Friday.

Did another walking tour, this one sponsored by Beer Advocate(hi peter vv!)

EVERYTHING was FREE! And everyone was sooo nice!

Brekenridge again.

Then Sandlot(which is coors, and was pretty gross..we left real quick)

Great divide was next..which is just a brewery(not a brewpub), but they had this

tasting room available just for us, and gave us all glasses. We got a tour, and

got pleasantly toasted, while the brewery kept working around us. People there

were great!

Next up was Wynkoops. By this time, Rebecca and I were getting a tad drunk, and

she ended up running into someone we know from SF (owns Toronado Beer House),

and wanted to hang out with her, so we ended up following her. Took us to this

high end cigar bar. Sorta sucked. We don’t smoke, and it was sorta too upscale

fer us. They made a “special†vegan lunch(since they just served steak).

Which turned out to be marinated portebello mushrooms. I guess they were ok, but

I would have been upset if we had to pay fer em, as it was over $20 a plate.

Ugh!

And then, tottled off again to the GABF. Not as much fun this nite. Lotsa frat

boys and jocks. Not people looking to taste good beer, just people interested

in getting smashed. Lotsa s. But, we had fun.

 

Saturday arrived. Hot out. It got into the low 90’s F.

Brewfest started early(two sessions this day)

Had breakfast at Mercury. Yuck!

Again, brewfest was sorta full of idiots. Not as bad as Friday nite(as this was

the conniseur tasting, and cost most folks an extra $20 compared to the other

nites), but still, in years past, this would have been the best time. And lotsa

brewers started running out of certain beers. It was nice to watch the awards

ceremony tho

Went to buy a t-shirt, and they were already out of GABF shirts

ïŒ

And as we stood in line, watched em sell the last GABF hoodie

Wah!

Had to settle for a pint glass.

Walked outside, some scalper approached us, and we sold our evening brewfest tix

for basically twice what I paid for em.

Went to Boulder(about 30 minutes outside Denver)

Had dinner at Leaf Vegetarian

Pretty good, tho, place was kinda..i dunno..maybe upscale and chi chi?

Rebecca said it looked like it came straight from the pages of Scandinavian

Design magazine.

We had BBQ Seitan, black hummus, and two tofu dishes, Szechuan and wotever

rebecca had(hahahahaha). Very nice and helpful waitstaff tho!

Went to walnut brewing, but they were packed and took to long, so we left. Hit

Mountain sun brewing, they were packed as well, but we real nice. Walked by

Sunflower, and sorta starred at all the crap dead flesh on the menu nowadays.

Went to a few more brewpubs in denver. Ran into the brewer for Drakes brewing,

who then proceeded t oget us back into the fest, hahhahaahahha

But, we only stayed maybe 20 minutes. Place was mobbed, many of the good beers

were out, and it was just turning into a drunk rowdy fest. Had our last beers

and bade farewell. Had dinner one last time at Watercourse (yum yum yum)

Then somehow stumbled down to Flying dog for the party.

Sunday morning

Time to head home.

Tried to go to a liquor store down the street from our hotel, to buy a ton of

beer we had seen days earlier. But we had forgotten.

Colorado has blue laws. No alcohol sales on Sunday

%$^ & & ^% & ^% & * & ^!!!

I nearly cried.

Then Rebecca wanted to go find some souvenirs for friends and family, but

everything was still closed. Boo!

Headed up, and then tried to hit Rocky Mountain National Park, but since it was

a Sunday, every one was out for a drive. Motorcycles everywhere. Tons of cars.

Took us an hour to go ten miles. Had to turn back. Sad…

Traveled up to the I-80…went across long boring hideous Wyoming. Tried t ostop

at Library Brewing, but couldn’t find it.

I started to catch wotever nasty disease Rebecca had earlier in the week, er

some damn frat boy disease. Stomach cramped up, headache. Whee fun.

Wyoming is a long, and sorta bland state. Espcially from the 80. Beef country

billboards every mile.

Got off at Flaming Gorge. But, didn’t stay long.

Rebecca didn’t want to stop, so we kept going. Got dark as we crossed into

Utah. Passed Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake sometime around 9pm. Rebecca

got that mad gleam in her eye.

Easy to see the Nevada border, as you cross the Great salt Lake Desert, its this

line of lights. Almost stopped to play penny slots in Winnemuca, but thought

better of it.

Rebecca;s mad gleam began t ofade, and we decided, prolly wisely, that it was

time to stop. Got some fleabag ghetto Motel 6 room. Room was tiny, smelled, and

there was old gum stuck to the bedspread. But we were tired. Exhausted, we both

past out cuddled on the sheet.

Woke up with a splitting headache.

Hit the road one last time, to a overcast, gray and dreary day. It began to

shower off and on. At least it washed some of the poor unfortunate bugs that

commited suicide on the r truck grill(at every stop, we’d get out and frown

and fret at the poor lil buggers we’d smashed into oblivion)

Stopped fer lunch at some brewery in Carson city. Nothing vegan again on the

menu, just lotsa dead things, but the owner knew wot vegan was, and graciously

offered to make us a special vegan lunch. But Rebecca wasn’t in the mood to

chance it, so we just had beer. Went up the Sierra and int o alifornia

Stopped at another brewery up in lake tahoe…again, just beer.

Thought about a few places to stop along the way, but since we were a few hours

from home, just pushed past everything.

As soon as we were about 30 minutes from home, my allergies all came screaming

back. Whee fun part two!

But..made it home without any other incidents.

My cat was beside himself when we came home, and the dogs triply so the next day

when Rebecca went to go get them.

Fun vacation, tho good t obe back in our own lil abode

 

 

 

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances,

there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in

such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest

we become unwitting victims of the darkness.

William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

As usual a pleasure living vicariously through you. How was John? still wearing those silly glasses? The Valley Vegan...........Peter H

 

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[Guest guest]

john?

peter VV Oct 5, 2006 4:18 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka

As usual a pleasure living vicariously through you.

How was John? still wearing those silly glasses?

 

 

The Valley Vegan...........

Peter H

 

 

 

All New Mail Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

Wow!

 

All in all sounds like a fun trip!

 

Nikki

 

 

, fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

>

> Ok, just to bore you all to tears…

> I finally finding a moment to regal you all with the fun and

exciting, yea, almost TITILATING tales of my recent trip to Denver

> I can just feel the anticipation….

>

> Anywho, after a long weekend, we got ready to leave on Monday the

25th.

> Went down to the car rental place(how I wish it was easy to rent a

hybrid…)..

 

 

<<SNIP>>

[Guest guest]

Denver? Apologies........... The Valley Vegan...............fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote: john? peter VV Oct 5, 2006 4:18 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka As usual a pleasure living vicariously through you. How was John? still wearing those silly glasses? The Valley

Vegan........... Peter H All New Mail – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you. As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas Peter H

 

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[Guest guest]

*smack*

 

oh..and he's dead

so..no....didn't see him

peter VV Oct 6, 2006 2:17 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka

Denver?

 

Apologies...........

 

The Valley Vegan...............fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

 

john?

peter VV Oct 5, 2006 4:18 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka

As usual a pleasure living vicariously through you.

How was John? still wearing those silly glasses?

 

 

The Valley Vegan...........

Peter H

 

 

 

All New Mail Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you. As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas

Peter H

 

 

 

Now you can scan emails quickly with a reading pane. Get the new Mail.

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

sorry............ the valley vegan...............fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote: *smack* oh..and he's dead so..no....didn't see him peter VV Oct 6, 2006 2:17 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka Denver? Apologies........... The Valley Vegan...............fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote: john? peter VV Oct 5, 2006 4:18 PM Re: tripping across amerikkka As usual a pleasure living vicariously through you. How was John? still wearing those silly glasses? The Valley Vegan........... Peter H All New Mail – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you. As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas Peter H Now you can scan emails quickly with a reading pane. Get the new Mail. As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas Peter H

 

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