Denver’s Birthplace

This is a stretch of the South Platte River. To the left of the picture is Confluence Park where the Cherry Creek joins with the South Platte. It is right here where the first gold prospector camps were set up which eventually grew into the city of Denver.

By the middle of the 1900s the area was a disgrace and the river polluted. But over the years there have been huge clean up projects and urban renewal of the area. Today it’s a beautiful place with trails enjoyed by runners, walkers, and cyclists. Families picnic and play in the water on hot days, and kayakers, rafters, and paddle boarders can be seen riding the rapids. The large brick building is the flagship store of REI - the outdoor store chain - and they provide kayaking lessons and rentals. The other side of the river is the newly gentrified neighbourhood of Highlands.

The morning started off grey and foggy. I finally made it out of my hotel room at about 10am and headed over to this area to meet a friend for coffee. I then shopped for new work shoes at a small independent shoe store in the same neighbourhood. By the time I needed to head back to the hotel to get ready for work the sun had come out and it was turning into a beautiful day. I sure didn’t want to leave!