If you’ve ever wondered what exactly would happen when casting a merman into the Rocky Mountains, look no further. I’ve got the story right here, ready to share. The tides took three college friends to Denver about a year ago, and I’ve been swimming diligently to get up there to visit. After a couple failed attempts due to scheduling conflicts, we settled on a long Labor Day weekend. Fortunate for friendship, my great friend drove me to the airport around 7am the Saturday of the long weekend. I was scheduled for a landing of about 10am Mountain Time. I’d packed a couple books with me and was ready for take-off. Similar to my Seattle trip, I told my hosts that I wanted to experience it all. All the food, drinks, nature, exercise – you name it.
Upon landing in Denver, it was about a 30-minute drive to their mountain castle. Friend one and two are the owners of said house; and I’d yet to meet the pup they adopted together. I’m a dog lover and couldn’t wait to snuggle that hyper ball of fur. After dropping off my things, eating a quick lunch at home and discussing plans, friend one and I headed out to Boulder (about a 40-minute drive) to do some hiking at a park that he likes to frequent. I’d been warned that some suffer from altitude sickness, so I was a little nervous as we drove out there but decided only one way to find out… let’s see what these sea legs are made of. Happy to report that I had zero effects.
We went to Chautauqua Park, which on such a beautiful day was rightfully busy. We stuck to the trail, hiking and hiking and before deciding to surf our own waves. We climbed up rocks and attempted a cave spelunk before deciding maybe that wasn’t a good idea. We then found a spot that over looked the park and simply caught up on each other’s’ lives. These are the moments I enjoy most. In college, friend one and I weren’t as close as we are now – so it’s almost like we’re making up for lost time.
On our hike back down, we came across not one but two wild black bears – not even together. It was mesmerizing. For each, we were easily 20-30 feet away. Without explanation, I wasn’t even scared. Living in a city, I’m surrounded with the hustle and bustle of man. I long for nature and to see a beautiful, calm, wild creature enjoying apples and berries so close in distance, was phenomenal. What does make me nervous is how comfortable they were near people and the idiots that tried getting closer. I hate to think they could be put down for someone being stupid in their home.
Following our hike, we drifted into downtown Boulder. Being a Saturday, there was a lot going on. More than one festival, streets lined with people, and the students from the nearby university preparing for the semester with outdoor fun. We parked and headed to Pearl Street – on every corner was a different street performer with talents including balancing a chair on fire on their face with knives being thrown at them – it was wild. We popped into Le Pops for a popsicle – I got the blackberry lavender and words cannot describe how delicious it was.
After swimming around the festivals and taking in downtown Boulder, we navigated back to Denver. We docked home, where friend two was waiting for us and we set sail for dinner. We went to an incredible vegan restaurant named, Watercourse Foods. Highly recommend. We started with seitan wings and then for an entrée I had the jackfruit BBQ sandwich, with a lavender lemon drop martini. From dinner, I think we were all dragging energy and headed home to get some rest for Sunday’s festivities.
As the Sunday sun awoke us, we got ourselves together and cruised to downtown Denver to Postino LoHi for brunch, where friend three was meeting us. Friend three and I were great friends in college but hadn’t seen each other in almost three years. I got the veggie panini which was absolutely delicious. This place has a great deal on pitchers of beer, even having a secret hybrid of two on draft. Eight pitchers, endless laughs and full bellies later, we floated to the sights. I was able to glide through Union Station, a fully functioning train station the city has capitalized on with thriving businesses. We walked through the Denver Milk Market and saw what was to offer around there, before heading to ViewHouse. Here friend one and three and I enjoyed some cocktails, people watched and decided our afternoon plan – which was looking like it’d be a bar crawl. From ViewHouse (which lives up to its name, rooftop seating over looking the city), we headed to High Lonesome. Luckily this bar was within walking distance to the house and was the perfect hole-in-a-wall atmosphere that I love. The signature cocktails here are so fun and delicious. We had multiple rounds, trying new ones each time, all while playing endless games of pool and chatting with other mountain mermaids.
Making our way home, we settled on ordering in for dinner. Pizzas, breadsticks, etc. couldn’t have come fast enough and we settled in renting new movie, Tag to watch for the evening. The food hit the spot and company was even better. Fortunately, Labor Day was the next day, so we didn’t have to rush to bed.
Monday was a day full of exercise, clear skies and self-reflection. We woke up, packed the bags with snacks, grabbed the pups and hopped in the truck. Friends one and three and I headed out to Big Bend for a day full of hiking and nature. We settled on Jones Pass. After the drive up the mountain to get there, which was no easy task – we set out on foot, embracing our inner Lewis & Clark. We hiked for hours – that ridge and rock formation looks cool, let’s check out that pond down there, that incline looks hard-let’s do it, etc. The highest we hiked was about 12,000 feet up, so high we were actually being hit with snowflakes. Dress accordingly – I did not. Weather in Denver and hiking in Boulder was very different. Shorts and short sleeves were not enough; might as well have been in my fins. I can over look all of that though because there were zero other people out there for the eye could see. It was just us and nature. The air was thin but clean and fresh, the views breathtaking and self-reflection needed. Upon arriving back at the truck, we relaxed in the tail bed simply taking in the views, while I played music from Vance Joy.
Driving back to the house to shower and thaw, friend two was picking up her sister from the airport (flying in from Europe) – after all were back at the house and showered, we set out on foot to walk to Pepper, an Asian bistro that I think was either amazing or simply our hunger deliriousness was setting in. I ordered Pad Thai, which hit the spot for me. After a day full of hiking and a stomach full of Asian food – this merman was ready to sink into bed.
I knew Tuesday would bring a day of adventure by myself, as all my friends needed to return to work. After I got myself together, I walked over to Black Eye Coffee for an acai bowl and cold brew to decide my itinerary for the day. I decided to head back into downtown and explore a bit more. I ‘swam’ along the South Platte River all the way into town, where I first found myself in the Tattered Cover Book Store – I could have spent an entire afternoon in here. Following this, I decided to go check out Union Station again before heading over to Coors Field. Following getting lost around town and taking it all in, I ventured into Larimer Square and walked along the 16th Street mall.
After exploring a few miles around town, I stopped back by Black Eye Coffee to grab a Rowdy Mermaid kombucha and headed back to the house to make some lunch. Friend two’s dad also arrived for a visit – sweet to see their small family reunion. Following my refuel, I set out to Red Rocks Park. Luckily this wasn’t a far drive. I arrived and was able to see the amphitheater and take in the beauty of the park, but it did take me a hot minute to actually find the real trails.
It was a hot afternoon, but it was incredible to do a hike of this caliber by myself. To truly immerse oneself in nature away from mankind; it really makes you think. The rock formations were beautiful and I find it captivating to understand how creations like this exist.
Returning to the house, I jumped in the shower and then got myself ready for the evening. Friend two and her sister hadn’t returned yet, and friend one was talking business with friend two’s dad – so, I took my book and the pups to read on the back deck. I was obsessed with the weather. It was perfect. Eventually we made our way down to what could be considered the “arts district” to Work & Class for dinner. The style of this restaurant is to order multiple half or full plates of food and everyone shares. So… we ordered essentially everything from the massive attack salad to chickpea croquettes to spiced fried sweet plantains to jalapeno cornbread to Wisconsin cheddar mac & cheese to other meats for my carnivore friends. Food comas were an understatement. From our table we could see some guys painting the roads adjacent to the restaurant. We meandered over there to see that they were painting multiple colored jellyfish– it was so creative and showcased their talent.
Later we drifted back to the house, where I took the time to pack my things, then friend one and I sat on the back deck chatting the evening away. After discussing past travels, college memories, future travel plans and our friendship, the moon said we should call it a night.
The next morning, friend one drove me to the airport before his day at work got too busy. This trip brought so much reflection for me. Maybe it was because of the book I was reading, maybe it was truly immersing myself into Mother Nature and the beauty of the Rockies, or maybe it was becoming closer to friends and better figuring out where I want my future to go. Or maybe it was all of those things.
I left a little piece of my heart in Colorado. I’ll be back.
“These mountains that you are carrying, you were only supposed to climb.”
– Najwa Zebian
The Narrative of a Merman 