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.
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.
This year’s blonde: in Virginia
And something worth singing about: Mississippi
And the Rockies water is the secret