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Denver, the Aer Mile High City

17th May 202417th May 2024 funtime65

It’s America’s ear-poppin’, beer-hoppin’ out west playground and now it’s accessible through Europe’s pre-clearance capital, Dublin… it’s Denver, the Aer Mile High City.

Denver, you see, has just become the 14th direct Aer Lingus route out of Dublin.

And they celebrated it in style this week, bringing some real high-fliers over to Ireland to launch it.

With the Mayor himself, Mike Johnston, heading the delegation.

For an evening of Irish-American craic at the Banqueting Hall in College Green.

Bandanaman: And the Bandanettes In Denver

Now, the party-loving Denverites will gladly tell you.

That because it’s a mile high you only need half as much drink to get you twice as pie-eyed.

And because Denver styles itself as the Craft Beer hub of America then it helps to be prepared for the change of atmosphere.

And if that means avoiding a stop-off in London, and nothing has changed now I’ve relocated to Scotland, then all the better.

A hit of Denver

Pioneers: James Cahill, Krisha Shah and Scott Gault en route to Denver. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Now, when you do get out to Denver and Colorado, and you will, it’ll hit you, yes, the altitude.

But also the feeling of those who have passed through here before.

The pioneers came out West to start a new life.

And to practise their religion their way, and those chasing the Gold Rush.

All before mechanical birds, slugging it out instead by stagecoach and by rail.

And how Americans have always glorified their stations with Denver Union Station a living breathing, transporting museum.

And, of course, those who were here first, the Native Americans.

It fits the Bill

With the best example of how the incomers and the indigenous population did get on visit the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.

Above Lookout Mountain, near Denver.

Where you can see examples on the boards of how Bill and his Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World took the trip in the other direction.

To entertain the smallest Scottish and English towns.

It’s a deal

So, the pathways between ourselves, and I count myself as an Irish-Scot who always goes through Dublin to the States, have always existed.

And have now been enhanced from Dublin to Denver, the Aer Mile High City.

Now your Dublin-Denver route will operate four times weekly and is served by an Airbus A330.

Those looking to explore the ‘Mile High City’ and beyond can enjoy €100 off Economy and €200 off Business fares to the US.

In an offer that lassts until midnight 19^th May.

And is valid for travel from 1^st August through 30^th November.

America, Countries

Buffalo Bill and the move to Cody Yellowstone, Wyoming

11th September 202311th September 2023 funtime65

The biggest fight of them all was over his final resting place so a delve into Buffalo Bill and the move to Cody Yellowstone, Wyoming.

Because if you believe the Wyomingans’ version of the story the Great Man does not reside in Lookout Mountain, near Denver in Colorado.

But in his hometown of Cody Yellowstone.

And that the Coloradans buried a vagrant there and claimed it was Bill, while they have the real man.

Bill and his pals

To cover our bases though, and because his legend has endured from the days his Rough Riders rode into my own hometown of Glasgow I paid homage on our Coloradan trip.

And learned of Buffalo Bill and the move to Cody Yellowstone, Wyoming.

And learned of his friendship with Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley and how he had the great and good of the Old and New Worlds eating out of his hand.

So it will come as little surprise to you then that he brought Teddy Roosevelt and the Prince of Monaco to Cody’s Hunting Lodge… there’s a party.

Of course you can channel your inner Bill in the Great American West in Pahaska Teepee.

Go riding (June to August) and even stay in the modern cabin-style rooms

And eat and drink like a cowboy (well, maybe a wee bit higher-end) in their full service bar and restaurant.

Life’s a Butch

Of course not every cowboy sought the grandstand because, of course, they were hiding out from the law.

And Wild West fans and tourists will lap up the Old Trail Town/Museum of the Old West.

It’s an enclave of 27 authentic frontier buildings, including one used by Butch Cassidy and his Hole-in-the-Wall Gang.

Now our Wild West heroes used horses, stagecoaches, trains, and in Bill’s case the ship to get about.

You, of course, can get out to Cody by big bird with United Airlines, a 13hr 19mins trip from London, via Denver, and into Bill’s birthplace from €1,055pp.

America, Countries, Ireland

Denver the Aer High City

18th August 202318th August 2023 funtime65

Things are looking up, as they always do when our old friends at Aer Lingus announce a new North American route… it’s Denver the Aer High City.

Denver, in the apron of the Rockies, has one of the most spectacular vistas anywhere to fly into.

You could even be tempted to tarry awhile in the airport were they not an artsy party city awaiting for you.

The oft-told joke the locals will tell you about their city is that because of the altitude, with being a mile high, it’s a cheap date.

And the thin air means you only have to drink half as much to get twice as drunk.

The Milk High City

The Mile High City is indeed a mind-altering experience and that’s even if you do decide to body swerve the local weed.

Nothing is as it seems when the Denver Milk Market, the cornerstone of the historic Dairy Block, is a beverage and culinary magnet.

The downtown Denver LoDo Wazee Street institution bills itself as a 16-venue space with the whole panoply of culinary delights.

This being Denver craft beer capital of America, of course you’ll never be far away from a bar.

And the Milk Market boasts Moo Bar, the Stranded Pilgrim and the Cellar.

When we visited for American Travel Fair brunch we had an Otterbox stainless steel thermal tumbler thrust into our hands.

With Welcome to Colorful Colorado branding.

And were invited to fill up the booze stations.

I wear, of course, my white Milk Market band to this day to promise myself that I’ll return.

A high old time

And when I do I’ll make fun again jumping on and off the city’s free shuttle bus on the 16th Street Mall.

And take in the LoDo Historic District and the ornate Denver Union Station and maybe take in a game in this sports-mad city.

You will be on a high right through your stay.

While Colorado is indeed colorful as Otterbox promised us with an array of must-see attractions out of town.

From wild west pilgrimage at Buffalo Bill’s graveyard to the natural Red Rocks auditorium.

Jocky Mountain High: With my Scots buddy Neil at Red Rocks

And then out to Golden, home of Coors beer, Steamboat Springs and its open steam baths.

To Boulder, home of Mork and Mindy and its great outdoors at Open Space and Mountain Parks.

While if you’ve the stomach for it why not ride the rapids?

Just the ticket

You’ll truly not want to leave and have an airport that boasts an art gallery and roof putting course.

But don’t take it to my lengths where you mistime your connections.

And find yourself on an eight-hour lay-off and then miss your London link to Dublin through misreading your ticket.

No problem there with your new Dublin to Denver route, commencing on May 17 next year and operating four times weekly.

All of which means with the reboot of Minneapolis/St Paul that’s 19 transatlantic routes on April 29.

Initially operating four times per week, before increasing to a daily service from October next year.

Why not set yourself the challenge then of getting around all the destinations starting with Denver the Aer High City.