Denver is a proper city but it's not too big and it's pretty nice; perhaps not destined for my top 5 US cities, but probably in the top 10. Unfortunately there are no real youth hostels, and so in order to stay downtown without spending a fortune on hotels, I've ended up in a bit of a flophouse. My dorm room smells like a dead tramp's underpants. At least there are some good second-hand bookshops a few blocks to the south on Broadway. And of course it's the craft beer capital of the USA.
Today's blog contains the slightly momentous event of only the second-ever 'selfie' photo to appear herein. (The first was me with Libby Kennedy off of Neighbours, in my blog from Erinsborough last April. I can still remember her tears on my shoulder when I left.) About fifteen seconds after I left my Sunderland studio flat for the last time, to catch the Metro to the airport - having posted the keys through the letterbox and thus become officially of no fixed address - I saw the Google Street View van trundling past, and you see the results below. That's me in my red Coca-Cola T-shirt; the backpack straps are visible on my shoulder.
Anyway, as the shadows lengthen and my thoughts turn to home, perhaps it's time for a few retrospective summaries of my trip:
CITIES
Savannah definitely takes first place, with Memphis, Houston, Nashville and Denver earning honourable mentions. I liked New Orleans, but not so much that I'd particularly want to go back.
STATES
The Good: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennesse, Alabama, Georgia, Texas
The Bad and the Ugly: Florida
NATIONAL PARKS
All great, but Zion takes the laurel wreath of victory. Truly magical.
EDD VS FAST FOOD
Very disappointing on the whole, apart from Quiznos, who I'd like to see expand into the UK. Subway only do two sizes of sub, but Quiznos do three. Because when 6" isn't quite enough, and 12" is perhaps too much, 8" should be just about right.
Please note - in spite of all the above, don't think this is the last blog of my trip. I have one more thing to indulge in before I leave Colorado...
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| City & County Building, seen from the balcony of the State Capitol building |
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| This is the Yard House, which advertises itself as having the world's largest selection of draft beers. I have no reason to doubt them. The taps go right down the other side of the bar as well. |
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| Two Lamborghinis and two Ferraris, all available for hire. Very nice...but if I was the owner of Mile High Drives, I think I'd park them in a garage. |
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| Edd vs Food #21 Denver fries (although they don't call it that here, it's just fries) at Jonesy's. A double order: half with bacon mac & cheese, half with buffalo wing sauce & blue cheese. Washed down with a pint of Wynkoop Patty's Chile Beer (it does actually taste like peppers). |
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| Edd vs Fast Food #6 Dairy Queen As the name suggests, they originally specialised in ice cream. They now also sell burgers & stuff too. Mediocre at best though. You can buy a better hot dog at any street stall, and the ice cream comes a distant second to a McFlurry. |
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| He's Leaving Home...bye, bye... Google Street View capturing the very beginning of this trip, August 31st 2014. My front door is just round the corner behind me. See the original here. |
