Clubhouse on Wheels: September 2020

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

DENVER ART MUSEUM

Hieronymus Bosch
Detail from The Vision of Tundale, about 1485

Symbolic of the turbulent times in which we find ourselves.

Covid, wild fires, smoke, civil war on the horizon (if not actually upon us).

What's next, a volcanic eruption?

Old Chinese proverb: May you live in interesting times.

And the Chinese certainly delivered...

But it'll all turn out okay.

High Beams and Starlight: Beyond Absence, Don Stinson 2004

Monday, September 14, 2020

AN EVENING IN DENVER IV

A late-night stroll through Larimer Square Historic District.

AN EVENING IN DENVER III

The muse instructed a third place, for dinner:

Denver ChopHouse, in the old Historic Union Pacific Building adjacent to Coors Field (baseball stadium).

Jackie, our delightful server, had a message, too:

Sometimes you gotta zip it, lock it and put it in your pocket.

There was much to ponder this Denver night.

Sunday, September 13, 2020

AN EVENING IN DENVER II

From the Cooper Lounge in Union Station on to The Oxford Hotel, just up 17th.

Specifically, The Cruise Bar, as instructed by our muse.

The Cruise Bar is an original Prohibition-era speakeasy.

And that is Richard sitting at the bar.

Richard was already into his second Perfect Manhattan, which he called "The true blood of Christ.

We, nearby, opted for more Old Fashioned, this time with Evan Williams bourbon.

Then Richard got to talking...

Was this the message the muse wanted us to hear?

Richard had more than one:

The first, Don't cross your legs.

The second: Seeing accomplishes all.

Third: Don't go to the train station; go to the future.

Four: It's not just about giving to others; it's about giving to others while you, yourself, are in pain.

And finally, "the secret of life," said Richard, with a passion that made him weep:

Never stop breathing.

Breathing had been a running theme during this trip due to the very high altitude.

The bookstores I visited in Crested Butte and Boulder featured newly-published books about breathing. I even bought one.

There is nothing more important and fundamental than breathing.

You can go a few weeks without food, a few days without water, but only a few minutes without oxygen.

Feeling somewhat jubilant, perhaps from delivering his message(s), Richard ordered a whole bottle of expensive bubbly.

He offered us a glass each, but we declined, needing to visit the third place, as guided by our muse.

Sadly, the evening did not end well for Richard.

Upon returning from the third place, we found Richard in the custody of Denver's finest.

Alas, after boozing at the bar (the good stuff), Richard had no money to settle his tab.

Not knowing what to do with Richard, Denver's finest walked him to Union Station.

And that's where poor Richard finished his evening.

AN EVENING IN DENVER

Trains were once the life-blood of America, rolling people and supplies to all parts of the country.

Out of the railroad came the train station, which in large cities became grand temples of travel, and a hub to many a downtown historical district.

One such temple is Denver's Union Station, recently renovated into The Crawford Hotel (though still a working station).

And that is where we rest our bones, the final night of this Colorado quest, as recommended by the Crested Butte muse.

Thus, the evening begins in the Cooper Lounge, a third-floor gallery overlooking the concourse.

The muse said, order an Old Fashioned.

So we did, stirred with Yellowstone bourbon

And now it's my new favorite cocktail.

Friday, September 11, 2020

BOULDER, COLORADO

Aliens landing (or maybe already landed)

Pearl Street at its best

Not as spiritually sweet as I recall from magical visits three and five years ago.

But makes me realize (compared to The Butte) how much I detest cities and instead revel in a rustic, natural setting.

Spruce, Hotel Boulderado
Covid? Politically incorrect (moose head)? Or just not trendy no mo'?

COTTONWOOD PASS TO BRECKENRIDGE

Over 12,000 feet up, shaves an hour off the ride to the Denver area.

Rocky & roll.

The cows own it.

Breckenbridge

Not a bad town.

But nothing compares to the Crusty Butte.

THE BUTTE: MAGNIFICENT MUNCHIES

Sunflower

The symbol of spirituality, of spiritualists.

Their Austrian goulash expands the mind (as well as the tummy.)

Makes me think of The Beatles' Rocky Raccoon.

Hearty beef stew, best I ever ate. And cherry pie a la mode for dessert.

The Dogwood

A back alley bar for a pre-dinner cocktail.

In my case, a Botanist gin martini with a twist.

Elk Avenue Prime

Oysters on the half-shell from Puget Sound, Colorado rack of lamb, ribeye on-the-bone, au gratin potatoes and asparagus with Hollandaise.

A French chablis with the oysters, a pinot noir from Willamette Valley with the main course.