Bellagio on Lake Como with Julie!

After spending a long weekend in Manarola (Cinque Terre) with my good friend Julie, she then went on to travel for the week while I was back at work. She spent a couple nights in both Florence and Siena and then a final night in Venice before returning back to my place in Milan. The following morning we took the train up to Lake Como - YEAH!

40 minutes on the train from Milan... about 6 euro... and we're at the lovely Lake Como. Amazing.

We spent one night in Bellagio - in a lovely apartment that we booked through airbnb. The apartment was in the center of the town and really gorgeous - I wish we could have stayed longer!

Our apartment was the middle floor with two large windows onto a small balcony of the building shown below, straight ahead of Julie!

View from the balcony:

The main room in the apartment... 

There were two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a small kitchen as well!

As seen from our balcony  : )

Hand-painted Lake Como and Bellagio wine bottles:

View of the sunset and mountains from our apartment:

mmmm waffles

I really like mornings when Lenny makes waffles with applesauce!!

Yes, please! And thank you   : D

Chihuly at Denver Botanic Gardens - YEAH!

Denver Botanic Gardens currently has a hugely popular exhibit. Barb and I went earlier this week and it was a great way to spend the morning! I've never seen the gardens to crowded before... but we still enjoyed the visit and the space still felt quite peaceful within the city.

Dale Chihuly learned about blowing glass in Venice, Italy and now creates avant-garde pieces, which are simply pieces of art. Incredible pieces of art. This garden exhibit of his pieces has been traveling to various locations since 2001 and now the Chihuly exhibit is at the Denver Botanic Gardens until the end of November. ...It's most definitely worth the trip. (The exhibit is supposed to be awesome at night as well... all lit up!)

I enjoyed seeing how the placement of the different pieces were placed... often it seemed that the nearby flowers matched/complemented the glass blown pieces. Just beautiful.   : )  Below are some photos of just a bit of what we saw:

I can't get over how many pieces there are in this exhibit. It's incredible!

Reflected in the lily pond:

This one reminds of a Dr. Seuss tree! ...If we ever lived in a world with Dr. Seuss trees!

bike ride and Domo w/Mom in town!

Mom and Dad left Denver last weekend... but Lenny, Mom, and I enjoyed a nice bike ride the last day they were in town. We went through the city, to Confluence Park / REI, and then back along the Cherry Creek Path. (Dad was golfing!)

Photo break at Confluence Park:

Once we cooled down after the bike ride, Lenny, Lexey, Mom, and I went to Domo for a Japanese lunch. From the location and the outside of the building, I would never have guessed how lovely this place is!

Domo's garden area was really nice and has tables to sit and eat at as well...

...and a Buddha!

Tedeschi Trucks Band and Gary Clark Jr. at RED ROCKS

My birthday present from Lenny was a ticket to see Tedeschi Trucks Band and (opening) Gary Clark Jr. at Red Rocks! Lenny, Lexey, my parents, and Lexey's parents all went - it was a great group, a great concert, and a great night! Sean was also going to come with us but the opening of his food truck ended up being the next day and he wasn't able to make it.

It sprinkled a bit when we first arrived but the evening cleared up... it was nice and cool at the amphitheater ...and included a double rainbow to make the amazing location even more amazing.

A view of the city of Denver in the distance...

Gary Clark Jr. playing...

Tedeschi Trucks Band (consisting of 11 people!!)

Quick video clip of one song and the stunning location (the sound within this natural amphitheater is incredible)...

flowers and fun up in Leadville, CO

There were many beautiful flowers in bloom around Leadville. Below are some of my favorite photos from the day!

wild.

Ha! ...Twirling on Sean's deck swing...

Pedro wanted to get acquainted with my camera...

hippie house...

Chicken Hill BBQ - Sean's FOOD TRUCK!

Sean and his friend, Brad, have built their own food truck and it should be opening... TODAY! They have named it Chicken Hill BBQ, after the name of the area where they live in town. ...If you're ever up in Leadville, CO, I definitely think you'll want to eat here! Delicious will most likely be ensuing.

Ha!

The food truck is located next to the historic Silver Dollar Saloon... I love the silver and red... so fancy.  : )