Got back yesterday from a three-day trip to Denver, where I saw the Women’s Final Four.
This was the first time I spent any considerable time in Denver, and I was impressed. I was all over the downtown area Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, from the land of tall buildings — office buildings, hotels, banks, etc. — to the distinctive LoDo area (lower downtown), with its bars, restaurants and storefront businesses.
One thing that makes downtown so accessible is that there is an abundance of street parking, with thousands of metered spots where you can park any time of night or day. There’s none of this “no parking 7-9 and 4-6,” like we’ve got here. In addition, paying is as easy as sliding your credit card into a slot and paying $1 an hour, maximum of two hours in most places.
I think the city makes a tremendous amount of money on parking violations, too. I saw several yellow envelopes containing citations under windshield wipers…In fact, two of those yellow envelopes ended up under the wiper of my rental car. (Not even grudgingly, I’ll make my $50 contribution to a city where parking is hassle free.)
Anyway, take a look at my latest travelogue…
The Pepsi Center
Baylor warming up before Sunday's semifinal game against Stanford. Brittney Griner, who ended up being the tournament's most valuable player, is at top center.
Pat Summitt, whose Tennessee Volunteers were not in the Final Four, drew more attention than anyone except Griner
Out on the streets...a snowy 16th Street Mall on Tuesday morning
The first part of customer service...
The Brown Palace Hotel, the second-oldest operating hotel in Denver (built, 1892). Harry Truman liked the Hotel Muehlebach but he also stayed at the Brown Palace.
The City and County Building (not City Hall, mostly courts)
A nice cigar store, Palma Cigars, in LoDo...Clay Carlton, proprietor and roller
I spent an hour on that couch, smoking a Don Pepin
Back to the action...The Sheraton lobby was the place to see and be seen Tuesday afternoon.
These ladies weren't in the Final Four, but they were my favorite trio by far...From left, Erika of Northwest Florida State, Stacey of New Mexico State and Lauren of Arizona State.
Baylor fans had a lot to cheer about in the championship game against Notre Dame.
I managed to talk a very nice usher into letting me sit in the lower-level, even though I had a third-floor ticket. My reward, besides getting a great view of the game, was to sit in front of these two ladies from Houston -- Heather (left) and Denise.
Baylor celebrates the 80-61 win over the Irish. (Coach Kim Mulkey is at left center.)
After the game, after the fans disperse, LoDo goes quiet. If there's a celebration, it isn't around here.
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Just to show Smartman that I also take photos of the beautiful woman who makes my life joyful and fulfilling, here’s Patty…
Central California coast, 2011
