That isn’t a stretch of my imagination. Sometimes, what we have in common can be as simple as being in the same 50 square-foot area at the same time. When I’m exploring Denver, what I have in common with others can be a hindrance or a benefit. I tend to do a bit of wandering when I’m out and about. Getting somewhere by the most direct route saves time but doesn’t always work for me.

An indirect route allows me to take in experiences I might otherwise miss. Yesterday, while visiting a friend so that we could attend an event together, we took a very indirect route to get where we were going. As a result, I took several photos on the way that I wouldn’t have otherwise. At the end of the day, we took a direct route home and I didn’t take a single photo.

For me, getting photo opportunities is a paramount motivator when I’m out and about these days.

Taking photos makes each and every day memorable. And when the day has passed, I can still enjoy the day because I captured it and can experience a moment, a day, a feeling, people, or a place over and over at my leisure each time I revisit my photos.

Some places don’t inspire me to take a photo. While that may be true on a hot summer day, it may be completely different with two feet of freshly fallen snow at sunrise. This is one of the reasons I frequently find myself visiting the same places and wandering when going to a specific place.

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My impression was a surprise to me because I expected to find a different and relaxed charm about the southeast area of Denver. But what I saw lacked charm altogether. While it wasn’t aesthetically distasteful, it just lacked appeal. Shopping can be pleasurable to take in visually and with other senses, yet I found very little spice, attitude, and personality.

It reminded me of a PBS special I saw where turtles learned to take oxygen from the underwater depths rather than surface to get oxygen from the air. Even shoppers need more air than can be provided in some retail clusters.

With the price of gas and a desire to make the most of my visits around time, I expect that future visits won’t leave me any more anxious to explore the lack of attractions in any more depth than I just encountered. There are interesting and unique shops to while away time and drain money from the pocketbook, so it isn’t barren of shopping opportunities.

It would be nice to see a sprawling Mall centered around beautiful gardens. The buildings aren’t tall and the area is generally flat visually. I think this area would greatly benefit from more trees, even more container gardens to counteract the bland squareness. I felt a lot of emptiness that needed to be filled. I don’t mean the addition of another building or throngs of people - I mean it’s missing that quiet yet palpable part of life because it is so enclosed in brick and mortar retail. If you like the feel of concrete and pavement to be all pervasive, you might not notice that it’s almost lifeless.

If you want to recapture some sense of life, there is a park that runs east and west along the south side of Hampden, behind the office buildings. It’s almost formal with manicured lawns, but it has several evergreen trees and even berry trees for the birds to enjoy. (I tasted a berry and found it very bitter and it reminded me of chewing aspirin tablets.) I found a basketball court that didn’t appear out-of-place on the edge of this strip of nature. In the short area I explored I didn’t find flower beds or an abundance of wildlife, but nonetheless bikers, joggers, lunchers and a few butterflies all seemed to enjoy the little spot of peace not far from the concrete world of retail.

There are several dining choices and even a small place to enjoy Italian gelato along Hampden Avenue. If you are on foot or taking the bus, expect to be without protection from the elements. The sidewalks along Hampden are totally without shade from trees or buildings close enough to keep snow from drifting. Several bus routes criss-cross through the area, so summer visits are possible if you don’t mind the beating sun. A small cup of gelato when you detour from the hot path is a good way to end - a gentle way of putting it behind you and looking forward to exploring somewhere else.

Don’t forget the FREE admission day at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Monday, September 17 for Colorado residents.

My messenger bag was heavy on my shoulders as usual, but I didn’t mind too much because I would rather feel the weight of my camera then miss the chance to take photos. I walked slowly, looking all around for something to capture. The itch was there, but the inspiration was evasive. At street corners, I found myself turning north, south, east and west in an effort to determine which way I would head today. I wasn’t being indecisive, I just wanted to be open to all the possibilities I might miss by planning every step.

While exploring Denver, I’ve learned that I am more of a creature of habit than I thought. It’s not uncommon to eat the same things, drink the same sodas, make your bed a specific way, even brush your teeth for the same time. I’m also in the habit of passing by the same places over and over without really looking. If the place has several doors, I always use the same entryways. I will ride the 16th Street Mall shuttle when I’m only going a few blocks. The shuttle is crowded more often than not, but still I choose it, or am in the habit of choosing it more often than not.

Riding the mall shuttle is very convenient when you aren’t exactly sure what street you need. It will prevent having to walk more than you want, or have the energy for. There are times my body needs the walking but I have to let it know that the majority body parts are lazy. But today was a day I ignored my aching feet and pushed myself to walk and only catch the shuttle when I was ready to go home. I meandered about and finally ended up at the Tabor Center’s 17th Street entrance. The walk was a good thing because I really can’t recall the last time I’ve entered the Tabor Center from 17th Street. The reason I usually go to the Tabor Center is to dine at The Cheesecake Factory so entering from 16th is a more direct route.

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It’s also time for predictions of the first snowfall in Denver. I think the first snowfall will be October 30. That’s not counting the snow that falls but melts when it’s a foot above the ground. I’m talking about the first snowfall that will actually stick to the ground in Denver.

For gardeners, we will spend the next few weeks harvesting all our crops and preparing our beds for next spring. There is a lot of work ahead. Some of us will also begin planting our fall bulbs and covering our delicate plants so they will be safe and cozy during the winter. I’m hoping to find some good garden sales in the next few weeks. Most importantly, I need resources for mulch. I planted blueberries this year that will be happy for a good layer of mulch when I mulch the fall bulbs I’ve ordered. Hopefully, I can keep all the weeds pulled so they don’t take over under the snow. In the spring, the weeds had a strong foothold in my garden, so I really had to work hard to clear them out.

Now is the time to make plans for weekend getaways, a few hours being lazy in the sun, or enjoying other summer activities a few more times. We get a lot of sun all year round, but there are quite a few activities that aren’t as pleasant in the sun with the snow on the ground and a chill in the air. One of the things I’d like to do a few times before the summer ends is to sit outside at a restaurant that has an outdoor seating area. I know there are a lot of choices all over Denver, but it’s nice to think about which will provide the most enjoyment of the last few days of summer.

Soon enough it will be time to get the fall sweaters and jackets and winter clothes out of the closet. We’ll have to bundle up soon enough and begin looking at indoor activities. Of course, there are a lot of people that enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, so they’ll be quite happy with the cold and snow. I will be sad to see my garden go. I will also be sad to see less daylight. Maybe fall and winter will pass quickly, then spring will be just around the corner.

Upcoming events: The Denver Botanic Gardens will be having a FREE admission day on Monday, September 17 for Colorado residents.
Here’s one I’ve missed, but hope to check it out this week. At the Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax, there is a Civic Center Cafe and Outdoor Market. It features live music and outdoor cafe every Wednesday at 11 a.m. until Sept 26.

Another reason I look is to see if I remember what was there before the construction. Will there be improvements to an old place or will it be a completely new place with modern architecture and technology. New places might result in an additional parking garage or a new restaurant run by a world-famous chef. Sometimes both and more.

Change is inevitable for a large city. When I think about it, I imagine that each and every day during the week, someone is making a business decision to start, maintain, sell or improve a downtown business. There are over 500,000 people living in the county of Denver. People from Denver and other counties visit or work in downtown Denver on a regular basis. All work and no play makes for a very dull life. Denver doesn’t have the high-energy of some other major U.S. cities, but there are certainly many places of interest when “all work and no play” gets a grip on your life and you need something that is smile-inducing. When I go downtown, I hope to see something new or interesting and have the time to experience it.

Wherever I go, taking photos makes the memories last longer. I may quickly take photos of several different locations. But generally, I like to spend time at one or two places. These are places that I have passed by frequently but only recently discovered something that resulted in my wanting to spend a little time to take a closer look. We all should have those places. Especially the places that look appealing and calm when life is hectic. Or maybe it’s the place that showcases something in the window that makes you long to make it your own. It could also be the most interesting statue you have ever seen, the one that has you dreaming of far away places and people.

Finding those places in Denver lets me feel like a child for a few moments. I sink down onto a blanket of being totally in the moment. I’m not overly worried about the traffic or the people who get in my way while I’m trying to capture the place to take home to add to my photo collection. My stomach will settle down even when it hasn’t enjoyed a morsel all day. Even when I’m tired and my feet ache, I need to enjoy this moment for a few minutes, maybe an hour. In the summer, I crave finding a place outdoors that gives me a reason to put everything on hold. The other day I found just such a place.

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In downtown Denver, the buses are as dependable as you can get for a metropolis of Denver’s size. The bus system is called RTD (Regional Transportation District) and they have route and scheduling information online at the RTD web page. All of the main thoroughfares have one or more buses I can take to get in and out of the downtown area. I often take the 15L into downtown, then I either transfer to the free shuttle that runs the length of the 16th Street Mall or rely on my feet to get me around. Some days, it is a combination of both. It beats checking my watch frequently to make sure I haven’t exceeded the parking meter’s time and ending up with a parking ticket.

Today, I wanted to visit the library, located at 10 W. 14th Ave Parkway downtown. Because it’s the Denver Central Library, it is open 7 days a week. I visit this branch of the Denver Public Library because of convenience. There are other branches closer to my home, but each branch has different hours and days of operation. Every branch also doesn’t have as many books as the main branch downtown. I can place books on hold and pick them up at any branch, but sometimes, I don’t want to wait. Sometimes, I just want to browse a section that has a decent inventory. At this branch, I could spend hours browsing when I have the time.

The Central Library is huge. I have never felt like there were too many people and the staff members are friendly enough as well as very knowledgeable. The person at the information desk was going to lunch, so I made an inquiry at the Reference desk. The directions I got were specific and accurate - important in a multi-story library. I didn’t even have to wait in line to get the information I was seeking. Yeah!

Once I found the books I wanted, check-out is back down on the first floor. If you need help with check-out, it’s located right next to the self check-out and I always see someone there waiting to offer assistance. I was surprised this visit when assistance was offered to me as I approached the self check-out. I didn’t need assistance but I was impressed with the customer service during this visit. Again, no waiting.

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