Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall.

Skittle-colored aspen leaves splashed amidst the evergreens. 

Elk bugles and mating rituals.

Somber. Spiritual. Reflective. 

I love Rocky Mountain National Park in the Fall. 

(photos taken 10/7/15)

Denver's Best Burger of 2015--Humboldt: Farm Fish and Wine

I finally had the chance to experience Denver's Humboldt burger! Literally from the very first bite I knew this burger was THE ONE. The flavor of the beef combined with the smoky bacon vibe was the first noticeable taste to my palate. Soon after the initial taste the other flavors from their specialty sweet onion jam (I do not usually like onions but this jam is incredible) blended in as well. And my mouth was in heaven. On this particular evening the meat was cooked right at about medium (which is also not usually my preference but I told the server to bring it out however the chef recommended). Dang it, it was such a perfect burger! I have seriously never tasted a burger so flavorful and delicious.

They offer the Humboldt burger everyday, including during happy hour. If you go during happy hour it is $6 bucks cheaper than usual. But  even the non-happy hour price of $16 is worth it!! (update: they now serve the slider version for $4 bucks/each)

Speaking of Humboldt Happy Hour, they have one of the best happy hours in town for the quality of their menu. So, come try out the Humboldt burger or try out some fresh oysters!

But, seriously, come check this place out! Even former President Clinton and U2's Bono dined here recently!



HAPPY HOUR IS EVERYDAY!!
FROM 3PM TO 6PM!!


Location:

1700 Humboldt St.
Denver, CO 80218

Open everyday at 11am.

Byers-Evans House Museum; A Peek at Prominent Life in Early Denver

I recently toured the Byers-Evans House Museum. It is located adjacent to the Denver Art Museum, at 13th and Bannock. The large, Italianate style house was built in 1883 by Denver's first newspaper publisher, William Byers of the Rocky Mountain News.

The house was later sold to William Evans in 1889. He was the son of John Evans, the 2nd Territorial Governor of Colorado. His family and descendants would go on to occupy the house for over 90 years. I was fascinated by his daughter, Josephine's room which displayed her hand-carved leather works among other interesting items.

The house is quite large and lovely. The wallpaper that lines the mainroom downstairs and up to the second floor is unique and beautiful. It almost looks like wood sketches. You can tell the family was well educated as there are book cases in almost every room and artifacts from their various travels.

The house has been restored and focuses on an interpretive era from 1912-1924. According to my friendly tour guide (named Angela) over 90% of the furnishings inside belonged to the Evans family.

It was fun and intriguing to peer back in time...to catch a glimpse of what life was like as a wealthy family in early Denver.

(This is the view of the original entrance. The window to the left had a bullet hole in it...apparently someone wasn't too thrilled with the Evan's family at one time....I remember the tour guide saying something about voting issues....and the Tramway....anyway...)

                       (The conservatory)                             (View of one of the parlors)

Hours:
Mon-Sat

Tour times:
10:30am
11:30am
12:30pm
1:30pm
2:30pm
May-August there is an additional tour at
3:30pm

Riverside Cemetery; Denver's Oldest Cemetery

I recently toured  Riverside Cemetery, Denver's oldest cemetery founded in 1876. Plenty of history and interesting sights abound in this park. It is referred to as Denver's Pioneer Cemetery. As you walk around and notice the dates on the headstones, as well as, many familiar last names (if you know your Colorado history) you can see why.

Riverside is home to three early governors and many other public figures. One thing about Colorado history is that if you are familiar with Colorado's topography and names of it's famous mountain peaks...then you already know many of Colorado's famous figures. And many of these famous people are buried in Riverside Cemetery. When approaching Samuel Elbert's headstone, I remarked to my professor (my tour guide), "Hey, is that the Mt. Elbert guy?" To which she replied with lack of amusement but slight smirk, "yes."

As my professor was eager to point out, cemeteries offer a slice of community history. Riverside offers a demographic tour of the cultures represented in early Denver. In one corner are buried Denver's first Japanese individuals, a community of Russian Orthodox in another, also African American, Italian, and several other ethnic communities represented.

There is also a large military section dating back to the civil war era. One of my personal favorite military persons in history is Silas Soule, who refused to take part in the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. He is buried in Riverside.

So, if you like history, photography, or old cemeteries come visit Riverside.

The cemetery sits amidst a dense industrial area of Denver. The cemetery has been in decline since its loss of water rights and the focus turned toward the more upscale Fairmount Cemetery (Denver's 2nd oldest cemetery).

(This is the headstone of Denver's first known Japanese resident; Tadaatsu Matsudaira, 1855-1888.)

(Vines growing on the outside of what was John Evan's mausoleum)

(Russian orthodox area)