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.

[photo-SXC]

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.

[photo-SXC]

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

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!

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler