Denver - Day 2

Our first destination today was to Golden, Colorado, which is east of Denver. 

Golden is a town where there is lots of shopping and dining, everything in walking distance.  So, we strolled through the town and did some window shopping and just looking around.

After walking around downtown Golden, we went over to the Coors Brewery.  It's right there in downtown Golden and takes up a space of 5 miles.   Something I learned about Coors is that they are totally self sufficient.  They not only make all their beer in the factory, but they also make every other part, such as their bottles and cans.  I'm not a beer drinker, but it was a pretty interesting tour.

Part of the tour includes free samples.  For those under 21, you can have Pepsi products, so the kids also got samples.  I really don't like the taste of beer, so I thought I would sample a few different kinds. I was expecting a small glass full, but their samples are full sized beer glasses and you can get up to 4 of them.  Needless to say, I sampled a sip of 2 and that was more than enough for me.  I think the Blue Moon Blonde was my favorite (if you can call it a favorite).

After the Coors tour, we went up a long and windy trail called Lariat Loop which lead to the top of a mountain and Buffalo Bill's grave.  There were pretty views from way up there.  I was shocked to see how many people like to ride up the trail on bicycle.  That would be a work out!  

Denver, on a hazy day

The Rocky Mountains

After coming down from the Lariat Loop, we went back to downtown Denver.  There is a candy factory called Hammond's Candy Factory and we told Nikki that if we went on the Coors Tour, we would then go on the candy factory tour. 

Although not as interesting as the Coors tour, it was interesting watching the workers make the candy.  That day they were making candy canes.   After the tour, we had to go to the gift shop and purchase a few of the yummy goodies.

From the candy store we went in search of a restaurant that we saw on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives called Highland Tavern.  We found it pretty close to the candy factory and near the ball park.  Not in the best part of town, but it was pretty good.  Their specialty is their homemade tater tots and they were very good.  

Then, it was time for the boys to go to their ball game, so we dropped the guys off at the ball park and Nikki and I headed back to the hotel to rest a bit and go to a movie.