by Barbara Calder

Created on: March 28, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

For most, a vacation to Colorado conjures up a picture of the Rocky Mountains blanketed with fresh powder, there is so much more to the "Centennial State" than skiing. It is a state that has almost as many ghost towns as live ones (500 dead ones, to 650 live ones). Most city signs through out the United States, not only list the city name, but also the population. In Colorado, they replace the population number with the altitude number in feet. And yes, just like the motto says, Denver is 5,280 feet above sea level, making it "Mile High City".

If you arrive in Colorado via the Denver Airport look around. It is not only one of the countries busiest airports, but one of it's strangest. Some interesting art work can be found on the east-west "Great Hall" on level 5. The colorful and controversial murals are the creation of Leo Tanguma. Down in the baggage claim area there are gargoyles. What is unique about these gargoyles, besides the fact they are inside a building not outside a new one, since it was built and opened during the mid-1990's, is that they exhibit feminine traits. Numerous progressive thinking theory websites go into great detail about the factual underground tunnels at DIA, and the New World symbols displayed throughout. If you become stranded at the airport , it could become a new world scavenger hunt of sorts, if you do your homework before getting there.

Denver hosted the Democratic Convention in the summer of 2008 for good reason. The weather is great with over 300 sunny days per year, mass transit is plentiful and affordable to the plethora of hotels in the vicinity, and the abundance of creative ways to spend free time and money. Microbreweries dot the scene and are wonderful places to watch the locals. Denver's present Mayor, John Hickenlooper was a founder of Wynkoop Brewing Company in downtown Denver. The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian and mass transit street. There is a free mall shuttle that is efficient and a great way to see the cafes, stores and hotels that call this area home. Just a short stroll from the east entrance of the mall, is The Brown Palace Hotel. It has hosted Presidents, to International dignitaries. It is also said that some of the guests it served during the past 100 years never left and choose to stay on and haunt the property. Every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 pm, free tours are given of this historical building and last just shy of an hour. Reservations are required. The Denver Mint, at Colfax and 14th also offer

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