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Civitan Around The World

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Colorado mountain road trips

Colorado, the golden state has that moniker for a good reason.  I have spent several summer and winter ski vacations in the state and find it to be a real gem.  Whether pre or post Civitan convention, think about including a week long road trip in the Rockies.  Nothing is really that far.  For example, you are just 35 miles from the college community of Boulder to the north at the foot hills of some beautiful mountain trails and hip in town art galleries and the U of C.  Just 70 miles to the south is Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy and the iconic "Pikes Peak."
In the next several weeks this blog will feature some possible day trips all shown on the map above.  Most points of interest I'll cover will be heading west along I-70 over the Loveland Pass where they had a tragic avalanche this past week.  The interstate at Loveland Pass is at the highest elevation in our national interstate system.  There was even snow on the sides of the road in July when I drove through the famous Eisenhower Tunnel following the 1996 convention in Denver.   Loveland Pass is near the continental divide.  I had to ask someone once what that really meant.  All the rivers to the west of the "divide" flow west and conversely east from the eastern slopes of the divide.  I'll include some towns you may have only thought of as ski resorts like Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen but they are just as much fun in the summer with very charming art, music and craft fairs.  We'll start the tour next week with Boulder.

Car rental can be done at the airport or in downtown Denver.  Returning a car can be done in either location generally without a drop off charge but check in advance with the auto rental provider.  If you rent a car on arrival you save the shuttle or taxi fare to town.  Parking at the Sheraton is not cheap but a parking lot less than two block away is only $11 per 24 Hrs.  At that rate you might be just as well off getting the car and having it to use while you are visiting and then turning it in at the airport when you leave, again saving the cost of getting to the airport.  The lot below can be contacted at: 303 893-1414. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Denver in July is....GREAT


Denver in July...
What a great and very walkable downtown.  So much to do its impossible to do it justice in this blog format.  I've posted a downtown map showing the Denver downtown Sheraton Hotel. From the 16th Street Mall you can walk up to Lower Downtown (LoDo) or the other way to uptown and the state capital.  You might have to print the blog to be able to read the map or simply go online and check out the sites below and you'll have more to do than you have time. 

What I find great about the mile high city is the wonderful climate in July.  Its such a relief from the hot humid south.  Days and evenings are pleasant.  Using the free shuttle on 16St you have ready access to hundreds of shops, restaurants and attractions.  Check out just a few of the sites below and you'll agree.   Denver in July is great.


http://www.denver.org/what-to-do

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33388-Activities-Denver_Colorado.html

http://travel.usnews.com/Denver_CO/Things_To_Do/

http://www.downtowndenver.com/Life/WhattoDo/tabid/103/Default.aspx

http://www.ytravelblog.com/what-to-do-in-denver-colorado/

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Denver this July....will be fabulous

Its early April and in only 3 months we'll be gathering in Denver for the International Convention.  From opening ceremonies on the evening of July 3 to the closing on July 6, you'll have a wonderful time meeting other members, attending to the business of Civitan and enjoying the pleasant climes and environs of the "mile high" city in July.   The Sheraton Denver Downtown is located on the famous 16th Street Mall.  This is a wonderful walking street that runs right through the heart of the downtown from the state capitol uptown south west to the north west lower downtown know by locals as LoDo. 





Free Shuttle busses run every 2 minutes along the Mall stopping at every corner. This Sheraton is no stranger to many of the long time Civitan members.  In 1996 the same hotel under the name "Adam's Mark" hosted the international convention in Denver, also around the July 4th holiday.  However, the hotel has been completely renovated, and significantly expanded with additional property and now has all banquet and meeting space under one roof.  The hotel will host the business events and the Mall will provide a super arty and eclectic backdrop for entertainment, dining and shopping.
Next week... what to do in Denver.