We've seen the Rockies

We left Union Station on time and had a downstairs cabin this time. Rather than go to the observation lounge we preferred the view from our room.

About four hours into the journey we stopped at a station so time to stretch our legs and take some pictures. 

Note the lack of a platform!

We are in the back carriage. We are surprised that there are no fences around the track but we've not seen anybody trespassing. 

We slept better than last time but it was still a rough night. As we were scheduled into Denver at 7:05 it was dining car at 6:00. Most people thought the same but unlike many we got a table and eventually breakfast. 

Then we found out we were running two hours late :-(. 

I spent a while trying to access A level results and finally managed it. Very pleased with my A2 stats marks, and overall they all look pleasing. 

After a while the Rockies came into view. You might be able to make them out in the distance. 

Then about ten thirty the train finally reversed into Denver Station. 

In the middle of Denver there is 16th street which is a one mile shopping mall. 

Free busses run along both sides of it stopping every block as it is so long. 

We also spotted this:

They also have pianos at regular intervals if you want to entertain people. We didn't. 

Denver is exactly 1 mile above sea level, higher than we have ever been apart from in a plane. 

The air pressure is so low our crisp packet and milk cartons are trying to explode. 

Time to see the altitude effect on alcohol consumption. 

We found a brew pub. There is a beer menu top left. 

And upstairs it was a pool hall. 

Then we discovered they did brewery tours so we went on one. Many free samples later we invested in some if their products and have a new favourite American beer - Wynkoop. 

After leaving the pub somewhat jollier than when we went in we met a nice couple and got chatting to them about the local baseball stadium we were walking past. They informed us the Colorado  Rockies were entertaining the Cincinnati Reds tonight so we decided to take in a genuine American experience by going to a Major League Baseball game.  

First though time to visit Colorado's State Capital building. 

And from inside the dome. 

On the steps is the official plaque marking exactly one mile above sea level. 

Now off to baseball. After passing this creature at the side of a main road in the city,

we found this burger van for tea. 

He said he would bring our food into the adjacent building for us to eat there. 

Lo and behold another brew pub. 

With a huge variety of beers. This is the Jagged Mountain brewery. 

Food and Craft beer. Delicious. 

We got in trouble from a policeman on point duty for crossing on the green man, then bought some tickets from a tout and some hats from a local vendor so the policeman wouldn't recognise us on the way back. 

Here are pictures from Coors Field where we watched the Colorado Rockies 

Tha Americans treated it more like a social occasion than a sporting fixture. Food was consumed constantly and beer drunk like it was going out of fashion. The Mexican wave got more cheers than the game. We were sat in the cheapest seats as far away from the plate as possible. Two home runs were hit over our heads, awesome sights. 

Tomorrow we have booked a minibus trip up into the Rockies. We should get to 11000 feet.