Altitude Sickness

It is no joke. As Denver is situated at 5,280 feet above sea level- many who visit, or have just relocated here, certainly feel the affects of this High Altitude and often get sick. The cause of Altitude Sickness is the thinner air at higher altitudes does not give you the amount of oxygen you need. When this happens it can affect your lungs and brains.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness include:

Headaches
Lack of Appetite
Feeling Weak and Lazy
Sick to your Stomach
Vomiting
Not being able to sleep
Feeling Dizzy

When visiting Denver- if you suddenly feel hung over but haven’t had a drop of liquor, take care and slow down. Drink plenty of water- do not indulge in libations, eat smaller meals, take an over the counter headache medicine and get plenty of rest. If the symptoms subside, and this can take several hours to a few days, gently go places that have higher altitude. If you feel any symptoms come on again, get to a lower altitude and take care of yourself. If they are persistent- go see a Doctor.

A good plan when coming to Denver is to drive or take a train- flying sometimes exacerbates altitude sickness- and to take it easy the first few days you are here. Ease into higher altitudes slowly and with care.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

I am a Colorado Native. I was born in Denver. I am a red head with fair skin. I share this information with you so that you will understand the severity of our suggestion for this week’s Traveler’s Tip…

Wear White!

I love the feel of the sun, yet learned early on that I lived too close to it, to abandon attention to my attire. I suffered blisters on my shoulders from running around the little league fields of my early childhood before my New England mom discovered the benefits of the white t-shirt for her burned to a crisp little girl. Since then, when the sun is in the sky- which is over 300 days a year in Colorado – I wear some sort of a white cover.

This is especially important in the water. So, if you are planning on cooling off in an outdoor pool or at a water park while visiting or surviving the summer in Denver please wear your sunscreen and if you are still feeling a burn- put on a white shirt. Do not worry about it not looking hip or fashionable, you will thank us when you can wear your tube top or a-line shirt at night without being red, shiny, burnt and/or blistered.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

Our nation’s capitol, Washington D.C., was thorough in its city planning to provide no easy way out of or around town. The seeming chaotic, no rhyme or reason street plan of D.C. is exactly what the planners had in mind so that no one could attack or plunder any of our national treasures and get out of town easily.

When roaming around Denver, and navigating its Mile High Wonders, you may have noticed something similarly chaotic in its layout. Denver doesn’t quite have as lofty a reason as D.C. but we come upon the outcome honestly. Our City Planners simply did not plan for Denver to grow; certainly not as rapidly as it did and still does on a daily basis.

Because of this lack of planning, Denver Proper is in complete opposition to the rest of Metro Denver. This Tuesday’s Traveler’s Tip is to metaphorically and even literally…

Tilt Your Map

Throughout Greater Denver we have Numbered Avenues that run east to west. Inside Denver Proper we have Numbered Streets that run north to south. Many of these streets make a turn on the edge of downtown into the avenues that share their number and therefore merge for the greater expanse through town.

So, when you step into the hustle and bustle of the metro hip-ness of Downtown Denver, envision what you have learned of our Avenues to a perpendicular skew and start calling them Streets and you will always know how to get around the wildly unplanned we call Denver.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

Street Name Pronunciations

If you take our advice to ride along the 16th Street Shuttle- you may notice that one of the stops is Tremont Street. Now, I am certain that The Boston Traveler and Boston residents alike will say- “Oh we have a Tremont Street!” And indeed they do, a Treh-munt Street, whereas we here in Denver have a Tree Mont Street. There is no rhyme or reason, it is just the way we westerners say it here.

If you are out and about and you see Galapago Street- you may feel smart and reminiscent of The Galapagos Islands and want to say the street name out loud just they way you have always heard it said, GahLahPahgo! Try not to say it too loud in front of a resident for we know that street here as GaLaPAYgo as it is a Street named after an influential resident who had that name and that pronunciation.

There is no doubt that you may happen onto a somewhat busy Street named Zuni. Images of Native Americans may flood your consciousness and make you feel confident to speak the name out loud as Zunee after the famous tribe. And you would be right, everywhere else but here. In Denver it is known as Zoo-NI with a long I.

Have no fear, we are a friendly lot and will not only help with directions but also may not even point out that you have pronounced the name of any street wrong. Or if we do offer its colloquialism correction it will be with a smile and in a kind and helpful way. Don’t worry- most of the streets may be pronounced just as they should be: Sherman, Curtis, California, Broadway, Blake, Wazee. Yet, we wouldn’t be a little wild west town if we didn’t through a few lassos, I mean loop holes at ya!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Layering

Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable. Often starting cool and getting very hot with very little warning and then cooling off just as rapidly at sunset.

Be sure to pack items of clothing that can be layered. At this time of the year, you will more than likely be comfortable in a t-shirt or light top throughout the majority of the day, yet having a short with sleeves that you can wear over the lighter shirt will be a welcome accessory. It doesn’t have to be a jacket or a sweater, simply another shirt that can be easily removed and carried around for the rest of the day once the sun reaches its highest spot of the day. One of breathable material will be preferred as the heat can sneak up on you.

The reverse will happen in the night time as the sun sets- you will want just a little cover from the cooler air and night breeze.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

The valley of Denver has been experiencing some spontaneous sporadic thunderstorms this summer and because of that, we would like to suggest you bring an…

Umbrella!

The storms have not been lasting long and they really aren’t anything to worry about, certainly no cause to cancel a trip. In truth they have been quite breath-taking. The thunder sounds off its warning while the lightening illuminates the sky with quick flames of bright light. In as much as any part of the nation, a bit of rain follows these storms. Here is where the umbrella will come in handy; the weather otherwise has been lovely and warm- so walking in the rain would be a lovely way to continue sight seeing. Rather romantic if you look at it in just the right way.

No need for a super heavy duty umbrella, a simple one that folds up will suffice. These storms do not last long, but having a bit of cover if one shows up during your trip is never a bad idea.

Not only will the umbrella help you with keeping dry, but it is also very handy when wandering around Denver in our bright Colorado sunshine! Sunscreen is always recommended, but carrying a snappy parasol while browsing the shops in Larimer Square, using your umbrella as a great shade as you lunch in Civic Center Park or for keeping the shade above you while waiting in line for a Rockies game is often over looked.

A good umbrella will do you good, rain or shine. Take it from Us, the Denver Travelers.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

Sun Screen!

Even if you are just driving through town- please put on your sunscreen to block out the harmful effects of the sun- trust us, it will get you through the windows, no matter how tinted they are.

Most of life takes place outside in Denver and that sun will find you. If you think it’s a cloudy day and you needn’t bother- think again, the worst sunburns can be caught on the overcast days. Do not let your guard down; rub, spray, mold the sunscreen on- you will thank us at the end of the day when everyone else is buying aloe vera gel to ease their pain and reddened, sometimes blistered, skin.

Protect yourself to see what Denver has to offer, without the burn.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Wear A Hat!

Pull out all the stops- go for broke with your signature style, just make sure it covers your head and that it preferably have a brim to shield your face and your eyes. You may want to pick a hat made of a breathable material, say- straw, or mesh, or natural cotton as the sun is hot. Denver ranks among the highest sunshine days per year in the nation, and with us being so close to that sun, it is important to protect yourself.

If you need some help picking out a hat, Thebackpacker.com recently had an interesting discussion on the best hats for the sun protection- check it out.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

LOTION!

…this week. Do not let Colorado’s four seasons or Denver’s valley status fool you- the climate out here is one of a high desert.

When you are in town enjoying the culture, or up in the mountains being adventurous, first put on some lotion. When enjoying our town one must keep their insides and their outsides hydrated.

There isn’t a special lotion you need, whichever you like that works for you, is perfect- As long as you remember to use it, and use it often!

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

As we have mentioned, Denver is a mile high above sea level, which makes the air feel thin. This can cause a light headed sensation, make one feel hungry and make one sleepy. Many athletes, the world over, come to Denver and Colorado’s mountains to train- with the thought that if they can survive and thrive through their regime here- they can conquer their opponents anywhere.

Our number one tip to survive and enjoy the air and atmosphere here in Denver is:

WATER!

Drink lots and lots of water. It is really important to stay hydrated and even more so in our climate and altitude. Bring your favorite water bottle with you or plan a little extra in the budget to cover your bottled water costs.

And just a reminder, some Denver Transportation Tips:

The Airport – A previous entry about Denver International Airport and how to get around.

Check us out next week for the next Tuesday’s Traveler’s Tip!

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Post from: The Denver Traveler