Driving Route 70 from Glenwood Canyon to Denver was extraordinary. In many ways, our interstate system feels like a national treasure. As I wound through Vail Pass, I noticed the elevation hit over 11,500 feet. The alpine trees and snow-capped mountains were humbling, and while I wanted to take in every inch of the scenery, I also had to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road.
Once I made it into Denver, I went straight to Sweet Bloom Roastery for coffee. I got both an espresso and a drip—a treat after a long morning on the road. Once again, I ran into truly extraordinary and welcoming staff. The Sweet Bloom team was incredibly knowledgeable about every coffee on the menu, and I was grateful not to have to think—just take their recommendations.
For lunch, I asked the baristas where to go, and they pointed me toward a local food hall not far away. After roaming around for a bit, I settled on a vegan Reuben and a Caesar salad—a much-needed break from road trip indulgence.
After lunch, I stopped by a car wash to clean off the Moab dust and Tahoe mountain salt that had built up on the truck over the past few days. Then, I made my way to the biggest REI I have ever seen. It occupies an old power plant just outside downtown Denver, and walking through the store felt like a pilgrimage to an outdoor enthusiast’s cathedral.
Tonight, my nephew Alex flies in, and I’m looking forward to having a companion for the rest of the drive home.
