Hello, friends.  I know it’s been a bit since I’ve truly roamed, but now I’m back.  After a summer that was way too short and saw a quick camping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains and a quick trip to Oak Island, we have really gotten out of town this time.  I come to you this morning from Denver, Colorado.  Several months ago, while having dinner at a friend’s house the conversation turned to possible future trips.  Serendipitously, at about that same time one of my favorite bands announced a stop a Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Gee, I thought.  What could be better?  A Thursday night show at a world class venue followed by a weekend in the Mile High City-count us in!  Fortunately in these situations, the boss usually finds herself unable to say no. So, that very night concert tickets were purchased and over the next few months other details fell into place.

We took the girls to school on the day of departure and left for the airport around 8.  An easy check-in and security experience shortly found us at the gate ready for the 10am flight.  3 hour direct flights are the way to go for sure.  We landed on time, got our bags, summoned our Uber, and headed to our hotel.  We’re staying at the Warwick Hotel and it is a pretty nice place.  The rooms are huge, but there is lots of space that is not used well.  Spaces that need a bit more room are lacking, but there is a balcony and that is where I sit right now watching the sun rise.  After dropping our bags we walked to grab lunch at 5280 Burger Bar.  The food was decent though the server left a bit to be desired.  It felt like she was a bit distracted and maybe not really listening to us.  Nevertheless, we ate because we were all famished.  By this point it was getting on near 2:30 and we all thought a short rest might do us all a bit of good.

That is exactly what we did.  A short rest and a quick shower later we all met downstairs to head to the Thirsty Lion at Union Station to catch our bus shuttle to the show.  Our friend got us signed in and we sat down to have a drink before the bus arrived.  It showed up right on time and we headed out of town towards Morrison, CO.  I think for any music fan, a visit to Red Rocks should be on your list of places that you absolutely must visit.  We had some other friends ( I know, I have more than 1!) who visited in July and gave us a brief synopsis.  Nothing though, and I mean nothing, can prepare you for your first glimpse.  The bus parked in Lower South Lot 2 which really didn’t mean anything to me until we started our walk to the venue.

In no way was I ready for the grade of the slope heading up the hill.  It almost seemed like it was never going to end.  Just when you thought it was over, nope.  There was a ramp that led to the gate.  Alright! You say to yourself.  I made it.  Nope.  Not unless you’re sitting in one of the rows in the 20s.  Our seats in Row 43 required more steps up.  If we wanted to use the bathroom or get a drink, that required more steps.  It sort of became a vicious cycle of getting a drink and going to the restroom.  Honestly, though, it didn’t matter.  The venue is spectacular.  They have a great “museum” that has some details about the space and a list of all who have played there.  Truly impressive.  The show started at 7:30 and after one opener, the reason for our trip came onstage.  Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls are one of the best bands around right now.  I’ve seen them in places from Vegas to Boston and they never disappoint.  He tore through an opening set that won some converts of those who came for the headliner.  If you’ve not listened to his stuff, check him out and thank me later.  Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit were the headliners on this night.  We saw them back in June in Raleigh and I became a fan that night.  What this really meant is that our trip was going to be twice as fun at the show.  His set was long and fantastic.  Both of these guys, Turner and Isbell, write music that for some reason resonates with me.  Not to sound mushy, but it has been a long time since I was moved to tears at a concert.  Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the venue, maybe it was the blood moon rising over Denver, maybe it was altitude.  I think it was all of these.

Too soon the show was over and back to the bus we went.  A short time later we were dropped at the pick-up point, caught an Uber, and went back to the hotel.  It was a really long day.  Flying west and taking in a show on the same night are truly crazy things to do.  I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.  So, no apologies.