Western Swing 2013 - 18 - Golden and Red Rocks

Sunday morning at the edge of the Rockies -- the weather was clear with afternoon temperatures near 85. As we learned, the Denver area seems to have only summer and winter with brief periods of spring and fall. The last snow here was late in April. Now summer weather is beginning. We also understand that things are greener than normal because of the late snows.

We attended Crossroads Church of Denver which is also in Wheat Ridge. It began as a home Bible study group in 1976. It now claims 5,000 members on a campus of three, separate buildings. It has also birthed the beginning of a few other churches in the area. We attended the 9 AM service.

The pastor had a very good sermon for the morning based on the theme of living an authentic Christian life. Of course, they follow the “praise and worship” format which means stand to listen to the rock band perform up front while the lights are twirling. It was a bit toward heavy metal at one point because a soloist took off on a wild break implementing stylistic trends of the genré.

Byron, of course, made the observation that less than 1 in 10 actually tried to sing along on 80% of the numbers. There were to portions that were familiar and nearly half of the congregation, which was generationally balanced, singing along. It isn’t our preferred style of worship, which is now called “traditional”, where more of the people actually participate in singing and standing for 25 minutes isn’t the norm. “Different strokes for different folks” and God accepts it all when it comes from the heart. 

Oddly, there was no recognition of visitors. We know there were some present in addition to us because we spotted a couple getting into an SUV with Tennessee plates (Knox County). Another odd thing was the smell of bacon when we left the sanctuary. In addition to serving coffee in the lobby, they also offer cooked-to-order breakfast at the snack bar. Goodness, how convenient does it have to become to get folks up on Sunday morning. How times have changed.

We went back to the motorhome to change and get ready for the afternoon. We were overdressed in our long pants and nice tops though some, at the service, looked prepared for sun bathing under the cloudless sky.

Anna Kyle, Martha’s niece, has been in the area for two years and was to go with us to lunch. After lunch she was to show us some of the area. Wow, we weren’t expecting such a great time. She had a grand itinerary in mind. We weren’t disappointed.

We headed to Golden, which was seven miles on west of Wheat Ridge in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we were in search of food. We found a great grill on the main drag through downtown, Washington Avenue. After lunch we walked to Clear Creek. The creek flows from a lake higher in the Rockies and, of course, has rocks and rapids. The city has concrete paths along both sides of the creek with several bridges for crossing. Along the walkways there are several bronze statues of animals and people. Willow bushes lined the creek. There were several people riding mountain bikes as well as many enjoying books with the rapids providing a sound backdrop.

Welcome to downtown Golden - Byron and Anna Kyle pause

for a photograph next to a statue of a bison.

Several kayakers were working the rapids in

Clear Creek. After a group would come

down the creek they would paddle back

and take turns traversing laterally

across the small falls visible above

the red kayak.

The city has done an excellent job in creating the park system on the northern side of the creek. On the south side there was a small, historical village set up to show how the type of structures when Golden was first founded 130 years ago. It is called the Golden History Park.

The silhouettes painted on the wall of a building give you a sense

of returning to the days of the “old west”. The cellular antennae

atop the building are a reminder that this is the 21st century.

There were several people out and about on Sunday. How many were tourists or visitors we have no idea. We just know that most parking spaces were taken and several people were on the sidewalks. However, it is quite different than a nice day in Gatlinburg, TN. One can actually enjoy walking around Golden.

On several street corners there are bronze statues just as there

are statues on either side of Clear Creek. Here, a prospector is 

affectionately hugging his donkey while admiring

a large nugget of gold.

From the downtown area we headed, by car, up the winding road to Lookout Mountain. Yes, there is more than one Lookout Mountain in the US. The difference is that the Colorado version is much broader at the base though similar in height above the city at it’s base. The Tennessee version is at 1,850 feet above sea level; Chattanooga is at an elevation of 675 feet. The Colorado version is at 6,890 feet above sea level; Golden is at an elevation of 5,675 feet. There are also two other differences. The air is much clearer in Colorado with the sky seeming to be a different color of blue. Also, there are yet more mountains above Lookout Mountain in Colorado.

OK. One more comparison. There are more switchbacks in the road ascending to the top of the mountain. Turns are sharp and should be taken at 15 mph. Bikers ride the highway as well in spite of the climb and the work to be expended in pedaling.

Atop a park area near the grave of Bill Cody, the view to other mountain

peaks is amazing. The trees to the left are in elevations below 8,000 feet.

In the distance the hills are higher yet with fewer trees. Still yet, on the horizon,

snow-capped mountains can be seen. No, they are not white clouds because

the sky was absolutely clear on Sunday afternoon.

From Lookout Mountain we headed back to Golden for ice cream and a drink of cold water. After being refreshed, we drove to Red Rocks, the well-known amphitheater. When we arrived we found that the it would soon be closing in preparation for a concert by Celtic Woman.

What is amazing about this place is that photographs do not do the open-air space justice. There is a large, tilted, disc-shaped rock behind the stage, a huge vertical rock angled outwards from stage right, several large outcrops angled outwards from stage left and a seating area for up to nearly 10,000 people in between. The acoustical properties, of course, are perfect for a concert venue. The first performance of each season is the Easter Sunrise Service, a non-denominational service on Easter Sunday of each year.

This formation at Red Rocks is called “Creation” and is on the southern

edge of the amphitheater. A formation very similar rises on

the north end. It is called “Ship Rock”.

On either side of the covered stage at Red Rocks are two structures that house

the speakers for the sound system. The saucer-shaped rock formation

to the rear helps project the sound into the seating area.

Performers report that the view of the mountains from the stage is just as awesome as the view the audience has of the valley and hills behind the state. The buildings of Denver can be seen on the horizon to the left of the photo. To support the many cars that bring people to this point, there are three, large parking areas dug out from the hillsides. However, the parking areas are not on the same level as the amphitheater. Yes, it is a climb. Fortunately, there is a handicap area behind the theater that can accommodate several vehicles. One would need to plan extra time for climbing in order to get to a seat before the start of a performance.

After driving back to our space at The Prospect, we took the dogs for a walk along the shore of the large lake at the park next to the campground. A few people were fishing while many Canada geese swam on the lake. It was a great way to “call it a day”.