Lakeside: The Sequel

in The Measure

 

 An early summer evening's walk to Lakeside.

 This was during the last days of the heatwave, so we were strolling at a leisurely pace...the kind of pace you use to avoid working up too much of a sweat.

 We were just at the turning point of the evening - when the heat is just thinking about letting up.

 But still, one has to be careful not to exert too much energy, or to exert it only in small, manageable bursts...

 until the sun lowers itself on its ponderous way just a bit closer to the horizon.

 Here on the Front Range, you have the purple, multi-layered proscenium of the Rocky Mountains as a bit of a buffer. When the sun hits the razor's edge of those jagged peaks, relief is yours.

 Still, summer evenings are long and slow, and on a torpid day like this, the heat seems to cling.

 On this day, we were concerned that the heat of the day would cling to the cement walkways of the amusement park once we got there, turning it into a convection oven. So we walked slowly. We paused in the dappled shade cast by the giant cottonwoods of our neighborhood. We picked clover, and dawdled.

But in the end, our worry was unfounded. The heat let up just as we approached the gates of the old, rickety park, and inside the evening turned cool and magical.

Heavenly relief, Colorado's month-long heatwave has broken...and there is rain!!!

I am still trying to find time to edit our 4th of July photos from Vail. Wish me luck!

 Independence Day fell in the middle of the week this year, and - in light of the month-long heatwave - we decided to escape to the highcountry, if only for a day, to spend the holiday with Mike's parents in Vail. 

En route, with stopped to cool off the dogs once again in the Dillon reservoir, where we came across this fortuitous rainbow (two of Mike's Leica photos spliced together to give you an idea of its scope).

 The lake has many moods, but is particularly spectacular in moody weather.

 The skies, facing West. Colorado's penchant for half-sun, half-storm is one of its most breathtaking qualities.

 Looking West across the high-altitude lake toward the Tenmile Range.

 A lone fisherman on the shore.

 You may remember from another recent post that this "mermaid rock" was very recently partially submerged in the lake. That's how fast the water can evaporate on a hot summer, especially when the previous winter's snowpack has been low.

We had a lovely, long and fun-filled 4th in Vail...photos to follow soon.

We were instant addicts the first time we attended a Justice League of Street Food event in Denver, so of course we couldn't wait to see what the next event had in store - this one on Saturday night at the Denver Design District.

The kids' play area at this event centered around the trench of a disused fountain and a great deal of fat sidewalk chalk scattered all over the pavement.

It was a simple idea for a playground, but a surprisingly effective one, and made for long hours of imaginative play late into the night.

The turnout was fantastic for this event, and children in abundance. Q was thrilled!

With such massive turnout, lines are a bit excessively long for food, and I'd say they could use a few more food trucks, but on the whole the events are a delight, and a great place for families to spend a summer's evening.

She is the bridge.

A new friend.

Mike's old school chum Pat showed up with his kids Isabella and Mannix...

as well as grandma and grandpa (just back from a long roadtrip), and a new furry friend who sat at the next table and distracted me all night. I have many, many pictures of this pup, but I have a feeling that my husband will be less than amused if I post them all. 

 Mannix and Izzy, and a new friend whose name escaped us.

 Q had quite the session of throwing down something that looked like a combination of martial arts moves and gang signs with this little boy. Cracking me up!

 The scene at dusk, still going strong even though almost all of the food had been eaten!

The DJ played an excellent selection of classic and alt rock that had the kids going - here Izzy, Q and Mannix rocking it out to Pretty In Pink by The Psychadelic Furs.

 We ended the night with a gourmet cupcake from the pie truck, a new tradition.

Can't wait to see what the next JLoSF event has in store!

What: The Justice League of Street Food event 

Where: The Denver Design District

595-601 S. Broadway

How: follow JLoSF on facebook to check up on new events