As mentioned in a post yesterday about continuing my education, my overnight go-to in Mile-High City is The Oxford near Union Station, the earthy historic downtown.
Denver’s oldest hotel, since 1891, which still issues real metal room keys on a leather tassel…
…is favored by Ralph Steadman and many other artists and writers, has hosted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and the Dalai Lama.
Most important: Room windows that actually open to fresh air.
Stewart the doorman has been on hand for 22 years and knows absolutely everything there is to know about the area.
And then there’s Urban Farmer, the restaurant with horseshoe bar and a killer bison felt mignon.
Around the corner: Rockmount, a three-generation family owned purveyor of ranch wear. This is where Neil Young and Tom Petty bought their flannel shirts. And where Kevin Costner—who drinks at Urban Farmer’s bar—got kitted up for Yellowstone.
My favorite: Their fleece shirt-jacket. If you’re lucky to find it. They sell out fast but I got lucky this trip after Lulu hijacked the one I’d brought along as her bedding of choice.
Here follows a story from my visit to Denver in September ‘20 following a magical stay in Crested Butte. (Yup, I traveled widely during the scamdemic, unfettered by masks and distancing. ALWAYS question those who strive to shepherd the sheeple. And file their institution-serving, hypocritical dictates under B for Bullshit.)
From an Old Fashioned with Yellowstone bourbon at the Cooper Lounge in Union Station to The Oxford Hotel, just up 17th.
Specifically, The Oxford’s Cruise Bar, its original Prohibition-era speakeasy.
That is Richard sitting at the bar.
Richard was already into his second Perfect Manhattan, which he called "The true blood of Christ.
Richard got to talking…
Was this the messenger that our Crsted Butte muse, Heavens-to-Betsy, wanted us to hear from and why she had directed us to this bar?
Richard had several messages:
The first: Never cross your legs.
Second: Seeing accomplishes all.
Third: Don't go to the train station; go to the future.
Four: It's not just about giving to others; it's about giving to others while you, yourself, are in pain.
And finally, "the secret of life," said Richard, with a passion that made him weep:
Never stop breathing.
Breathing had been a running theme during that trip due to the very high altitude in Crusty Butte, over 9000 feet.
The bookstores I’d visited in CB and Boulder featured newly-published books about breathing. I even bought one.
There is nothing more important and fundamental than breathing.
You can go a few weeks without food, a few days without water, but only a few minutes without oxygen.
Feeling somewhat jubilant, perhaps from delivering his messages, Richard ordered a bottle of expensive champagne.
He offered to share the bubbly with us but we declined, needing to visit The Chop House, as also directed by our muse.
Sadly, the evening did not end well for Richard.
Upon returning to The Oxford we found Richard in the custody of Denver's finest.
Alas, after boozing at the bar (the good stuff), Richard had no money to settle his tab.
Not knowing what else to do with Richard, Denver's finest walked him to Union Station.
And that's where poor Richard finished his evening.
Moral & message: Sometimes your future is the train station.