Video Clips: Yay or nay?

Not sure if I just like blogging and it's the writing that satisfies me, or if I should jump on the trend and try 'vlogging" a bit.

What do you think? Little video clips good or not quite so interesting?

Does it give you a new perspective? A better perspective?

Also, if it doesn't play on your mobile device please let me know in the comments. I want to make this blog more interesting and user-friendly if possible.

Thanks!

Denver: A city with a pulse

We were walking home from Coors Field, after a baseball game and happened upon a huge gathering of bikes. Pedal bikes! It was a large group of 20-somethings out riding, playing music and socializing on the downtown streets.

It was definitely a crowd that caught your attention. At one of the stoplights, I asked a nearby rider what was going on. She told me they were the Denver Cruisers and it was just what they did on Wednesday nights. She told me that they even had their own web site where they announced their meet up locations and times.

It was cool! A city with a pulse... and personality! Definitely gave me the impression that Denver was a cool city. It looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Denver: Hotwire hotel jackpot!

Our favourite perk, the rooftop pool!

The trip was too fast to get hung up on details and I was plum out of loyalty credits. So, I used Hotwire.com to book my hotel for this Denver getaway.

I needed location and security because I was travelling with my young son. I knew exactly where I needed to be to get to Coors Field and Mile High Stadium conveniently, since I had been to Denver before. Being familiar with the city and specifically downtown was a real asset in this situation.

I picked the best rated hotel within my budget and booked. (With Hotwire, you 'blind buy'... meaning you don't learn which hotel until after you have booked and paid.)

My 4.5 star hotel booking was confirmed as the Westin Downtown. Jackpot!! I knew this hotel had the perfect location and was a brand I respected and valued. I was thrilled even before I arrived.

When I checked in, the front desk clerk made me feel very welcome. He even extended us the generous courtesy of a complimentary breakfast at the hotel.

The hotel met our every need. It even had a Starbuck's kiosk in the lobby, and one on the street corner on either side.

The breakfast was excellent and the service was even better. The breakfast servers were sweeter than pumpkin pie and so attentive to my son. Not all 4 star hotels are so welcoming of kids. Their hospitality, once again, made me feel like a valued guest.

The rooftop pool was my favourite perk. We had a great view, a cooling swim and a real chance to relax and just chill, in the heart of the city. Perfect for this mom and son bonding sports trip.

Just 10 steps outside the south side of the hotel was a FREE games area run by a downtown enrichment organization. We played mini golf, ping pong and foosball. Did I mention it was FREE? Such a great little fun zone and probably the first thing my son would mention if you asked him about the trip.

I feel like I hit the jackpot. I got the perfect hotel, and on budget, for my two day sports getaway. Thank you Hotwire!

FREE 9 hole mini golf in the city centre

A panoramic view of the city from the rooftop pool on the Westin's 4th floor.

The previous trip to Denver, we had booked a 4 star, downtown boutique hotel and were treated to The Magnolia. It also absolutely met our needs. In that case, it was an adult trip, and the hotel was indeed more suited to adult travellers. The hotel hosted a happy hour with complimentary wine and beer. The rooms were smaller and it did not have a pool area. However, I can definitely recommend The Magnolia as well when in Denver.

Denver: The Rockies Game

We went to our first Colorado Rockies' MLB game while we were in Denver last week. We've been to a few ballparks before, and always love a good game.

Coors Field, home of the Rockies is located downtown Denver and is an easy walk from most of the hotels.

It's a great stadium, which holds about 50,000 fans and was opened in 1995.

There isn't a bad seat in the house. We opted for Club Seating so that we could get the view we wanted. I positioned us strategically on the first base side, after reading that you get the best view of the mountain sunset from this area. It was indeed beautiful!

We took a good walk around the stadium. There were so many unique concessions to see games to play. It's a fabulous, family evening out.

We got lucky and there were several foul balls hit into the stands nearby. We had our ball gloves with us. (I definitely recommend taking your glove. You might catch a ball, but in the meantime, you can use it to hold your footlong hotdog.)

While I didn't catch a ball, it was really close. A gentleman just two rows back caught one. He was very kind and generous giving that ball to my son. It's a souvenir CJ will treasure!

The home team won this game. There was even a grand slam homerun! An evening to remember for certain.

Denver: The Airport

If you're new to travel, you might find Denver Airport (airport code: DEN)  a little intimidating, but rest assured, you CAN do this.

Denver is the main domestic hub for United Airlines. It is also the main airport for regional airlines, Frontier and Great Lake Airlines.

Denver Airport is the largest international airport, in landmass, in the USA. It is the 6th busiest in the USA and handled 53 million passengers last year.

The casual traveller needs to know just a few things:

• there are moving sidewalks and a tram that will take you to/from the baggage claim areas. This is good. It's quite a distance.
• taxi fare from the airport to downtown is a flat rate of $55 and will take 30-40 minutes 
• shuttles (like SuperShuttle.com) will cost about $20-$25 per person and will add about 10 minutes to your trip downtown 
• there are numerous tornado shelters in this airport. A tornado did touchdown on the runway in June 2013.  There are typically a few tornado alerts in Denver each summer.
• a new Westin hotel will open at the airport late 2015.
• give yourself a minimum 90 minutes to arrive and get through security before your flight. 2 hours would be better. 
• do consider your travel times and potential delays when you travel to or thru Denver airport. It's not uncommon for winter weather to throw a wrench in the plans at this mountain airport.
• $500(Cdn) is an average price for a direct, return Denver flight. Anything less is a deal. I've seen it as low as $360Cdn.

There are direct flights to/from Winnipeg-Denver daily, operated by United Airlines (or Air Canada as their code share partner). You can check both sites, sometimes there will be a price difference though, it's actually the same flight/plane. You can choose to collect your Aeroplan points or United Mileage on these flights. 

If you are looking for a bargain, and are willing to drive over the border, United also flies from Devils Lake (DVL) or Minot (MOT) North Dakota.  Of those 2 airports, DVL is typically cheaper ($260US) and does not charge for parking. They have 2 flights daily. I have flown DVL to DEN before. It was fantastic when the Canadian dollar was worth more. 

The YWG arrival gate in DEN is Gate B89. It's a ways from the main airport halls. You will want at least an hour to connect to another flight. The great thing about this B89 area, is that it has a brand new Starbucks kiosk. It's awesome, but expect lines as long as security after 9am. The washroom in this area is 2star. Wait until you get upstairs to the main hall for the 4star washrooms. 

View of the airport from the highway. The glass "W" is the new Westin Hotel

Down in the lower annex, by gate B89 where the YWG flight typically arrives

Denver: Union Station

If you travel to Denver, put The Union Station on your must see list! 

Though the original Union Station opened in 1881, the new, modern Union Station only just unveiled its refurbishments in 2014. 

It's gorgeous!

A boutique hotel (The Crawford), trendy breakfast spot (Snooze Eatery) a flower kiosk, coffee shop and bar help to make it more than a whistle stop on your train trip. 

The Union Station is a day-stop on the must see list in Denver. 

Denver: So Chic!

I made a quick trip to Denver last week to catch a couple ball games and we managed to find time to see some of the Downtown sights.

One of the things that caught my eye was this fashion truck! We've all heard about mobile food trucks and seen them on TV (so trendy) but it was my first glimpse of a fashion truck.

I loved the concept! And for the little while I was in the area, I could clearly see that the locals loved it too. Ladies were shopping on their lunch break and loving this boutique on wheels.

It was parked outside the Union Station (train station) and really fit in with the vibe of the neighbourhood.

It's a very social business and making the most of their social media too!

On point & on trend.  The (Denver) Street Boutique.... you rock!

Fast Five Travel Notes: Destinations of 2014

2014 was a good travel year. I took many photos and left nothing but footprints. I enjoyed new foods, new beaches and made new friends.

Over the next few posts I'll detail these adventures in quick little "fast five" blog bites.

I might be feeling reflective, but I don't have a lot of reserve energy after the "un-holiday" that is Christmastime.


Five new destinations I visited in 2014.

1. Bermuda - this was in February. I wrote a lot about Bermuda and would definitely recommend it for a new or nervous traveller, those who want beaches but not scorching sunshine, or those who are celebrating retirement.

2. Devil's Lake, North Dakota. I stayed at the Holiday Inn, bought travel snacks at the new Wal-Mart and used their airport to fly United Airlines. Yes! You can connect to the whole world via DVL and United Airlines. Their twice a day service started in July 2014 and is growing strong. No lines and free parking make this one of North Dakota's best kept secrets.  Did you know you can pick up a round trip to Denver, Colorado for about $270 US? Now you know!

3. Denver, Colorado I had the privilege of experiencing this city with a new friend who already loved and had visited Denver. This gave me the chance to sit back and let someone else lead for once. I greatly benefitted from her knowledge and love of the city. Together we went to cafes, The Union Train Station  stumbled into some weird zombie walk/parade, and cheered as the Denver Broncos beat the 49ers and Peyton Manning threw his record breaking 509th touchdown pass.  What a weekend!

4. Quebec City, Quebec  My son and I took the train to Quebec City and saw this city for the first time together. It was fabulous! I would highly recommend it and can't wait to do it again. I wrote a great deal about it, back in August.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii  This trip wasn't as smooth as most. There were some logistical issues but once we arrived, Honolulu was heavenly. Great reviews (which I still have to write) were largely due to the amazing Sheraton Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and the great travel buddy along for the adventure. I hardly got the chance to see the island, so I think there will be a do-over at some point in my future. But, for 2014 it DOES count, as I did experience Honolulu for the first time.