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.

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

If you are visiting our fine town you may not even notice the traffic as you can meander during the off peak times when the roads are clear and manageable. This is a viable solution. Though, here in Denver there is even a better choice for visitors and residents alike.

The Light Rail started its life here in Denver over a decade ago and has been building steam ever since. Its incarnation took some doing, for residents along the planned routes thought it would be too noisy and fought its being built for quite some time. Luckily, other neighborhoods were excited for it to be put in place and the rest is as they say- history.

It not only helps you beat the traffic, it helps the environment and many people’s sanity as well. No more driving, way more reading, or listening to music, or people watching. Even the short walks to and from the stations are beneficial to your health.

The fare ranges from $1.75 to $4.00 depending on how many zones you travel through. Bikes are allowed on board, and many routes let off near some great bike paths. Don’t worry, the Light Rail’s Routes all point to downtown so it is a great option for commuters, not just for the recreational riders.

Catching the Light Rail is simple- there are many stops throughout Downtown. Each stop has a ticket station with easy to follow instructions. Buy a ticket, get on board, and take the Light Rail to Union Station, to The University of Denver, Invesco Field, Littleton, all the way out to County Line Road! DNC 2008 participants- it even goes to The Pepsi Center. With 6 lines to choose from- the destinations are plentiful.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

And then I fell on the ice, and the love affair was over.

If you’re heading for Denver while the white stuff is coming down, here are some tips for driving in the fluff. And slush. And ice. And anything else that might fall out of the sky while you’re here.

These are tips I have learned from hard core Denverites who drive while chuckling, “Snow!?!? WHAT SNOW?!!”

1. DO NOT SLAM ON YOUR BRAKES. Seriously folks, there’s nothing that will make Jack Frost laugh his icicle off faster than watching you slip slide after a good jamming of the brakes. Instead, ease off the gas and lightly apply your brakes when needed. And when you take off again? Ease on that gas, unless you like feeling like an out of control bob sled.

2. Give people a bit of extra room. I drive by the Three Second Rule in ideal driving conditions. When it’s snowing (or when I’m driving through the grey nasty slush that pretty snow turns into) I give it a good five seconds. This gives me time to react to what they are doing, and also time to let up on the gas so that I DON’T SLAM ON MY BRAKES.

3. Brush the Snow off of your vehicle. No really. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been slammed with an avalanche off of the car in front of me because the roof was too much trouble to dust off. It’s annoying and my poor little windshield wipers can only do so much!

4. Buy a good ice scraper, and use it. As someone wise once said to me, “Alicia, you are going to see fools pouring hot water over their windshields to melt the ice. This is because they are stupid, and lazy. That’s a good way to crack your windshield like an egg.” I’ve followed that advice and left a few minutes earlier so that I can dutifully scrape all the windows clean (and dust the snow off, because I got a fancy one with a brush on the end).

5. Bridges and Overpasses are Ice Traps. If you can avoid anything not on ground level, it’s highly suggested. If you must drive over an overpass or a bridge, watch for ice. Black ice is deadly and can set you sliding before you even know what hit you.

6. DON’T SPEED. This should be obvious, but judging by the number of people who fly past me every morning, it needs to be said. I don’t want you sliding into me because you hit a patch of black ice at 60 miles an hour on a 35 mph street.

And my personal favorite, my very own tip for driving in snow:
7. Don’t Leave the House. Call in sick, bake some cookies, snuggle up on the couch with a loved one and your pet, and watch movies all day while watching the gently falling snow through a window.

But hey, I’m from the desert, so… yeah. Number 7 is always number 1 to me. Some other resources include checking out the traffic report, or checking out traffic webcams to see what it’s like out there. Don’t forget that Denver has plenty of public transportation if you aren’t comfortable driving in it yourself.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Denver International Airport, DIA- or Madonna’s Bra Rack, as I like to call it, is the 6th busiest in Airport in the nation and the 10th busiest in the world. DIA takes some getting to and maneuvering around once there. Much more complicated then Stapleton, Denver’s old airport- but then travel in general is a little more complicated these days.

Depending on traffic it can take up to a half an hour or more to get to DIA from downtown, and you’ll want to give yourself a cushion in case the roads are bad. If you do arrive early there is a 45 minute waiting area where you can park before driving into the swirls of road that lead to the parking garage and the airport itself. The signs will lead you to which terminal serves the airline you seek- so look up as you drive. There is a level for passenger pick up if you don’t want to park (rates are $2 per hour) and go in to meet the newly arrived. If you do want to meet someone inside- baggage claim is a good place to do so. If you were hoping for the very first glance possible, then stake a spot by the fountain at the top of the arrival escalators- this gets crowded but it is the first place you will be able to see the incoming passengers.

If you are planning on parking and flying the parking garage rates are $15.00 per day. DIA also has two Economy Lots, East and West with the rate of $7.00 per day. As the economy lots fill up fast, there are two Shuttle Lots, Pikes Peak and Mt. Filbert, as well with rates at $5.00 per day. These are a little further away, so there is a bus that takes you up to the airport. Worried about space for your vehicle? Call 303-DIA-PARK for parking lot updates.

Arriving into DIA for the first time? Prepare yourself for an adventure! Not only do you take a plane to get there- but once you land and de-board, to get anywhere you must ride the train. The run often and have newscasters announcing the stops. Look through the windows behind the train as it gains speed to catch a glimpse at the propeller art along the tunnels. When the train arrives at baggage claim/ground transportation/terminal- basically the last stop- there are two escalators to bring you up to everything you will need. Be mindful that the only option every single traveler has are these two escalators. They will more than likely be cramped, so make the most of it. On the positive side, these escalators will hopefully be the last of your travel worries before you can enjoy your stay in our fine city!

Have extra time in DIA, either before or after a flight or for a layover? Have no fear- there is plenty to do, see and eat. DIA offers many little shops to peruse- from books to candy to Colorado specific trinkets. Eateries range from coffee shops to fast food to restaurants where you may sit down and they serve you. Public Art is in abundance throughout the airport- don’t just look on the walls, look up at the ceiling and around at the sculptures on the ground. As you enter security there is a nice Aviation display, sharing aeronautical parts and history. Perhaps the best ambience to enjoy while at DIA is the hallway to Terminal A. As you walk through, listen for the voices of the Native American Souls whose burial ground resides under a part of DIA. Though not as sacred as it should be- it is a touching and moving tribute.

C.W. Fentress, J.H.Bradburn and Associates, a Denver based Architectural firm, designed DIA and its elaborate fabric roof. Their vision being that arriving passengers would see a beautiful snow covered mountain range. While it is an architectural tour de force, I ashamedly can only think of its resemblance to the pointy bras Madonna wore in the late 80’s when I see it. But hey, that bra was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, so either way you look at it DIA is in High Fashion!

Happy Travels!

Post from: The Denver Traveler