Today was less packed than yesterday. We slept a bit later then headed to the Capitol. There is a step marked "One Mike Above Sea Level" but over the years two additional marks have been placed.

The run-down in that taken from https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mile-high-steps-at-the-colorado-state-capitol

The 15th step is engraved with the words "One Mile Above Sea Level." It held this distinction from 1909 to 1969, when a group of students from Colorado State University remeasured. Their calculations put a mile high on the 18th step, which prompted the installation of a bronze marker. In 2003, the elevation was measured again. This time, the researchers identified the 13th step as the correct benchmark. A brass medallion engraved with the silhouette of the Rocky Mountains was formally installed in a ceremony later that year (the governor gave the keynote).

So we took three pictures. At some point we were one mile above sea level. Go us!

So the zoo and museum and in City Park. Wow.

Behind the museum is this water area. After walking through other parts of the museum I let them have at it. Just told them not to get soaked. Haha. Riiiight.

So after they were soaked we found a great playground to dry off at. #winning

Then we caught the bus back to the hotel. And beat Daddy by only 30 minutes. What a day!

So next time we are at the Denver Zoo we are totally staying the whole day and packing a cooler. The weather was perfect. There were tons of great spots to sit and eat. They also have plenty of restaurants and food locations but with our time crunch we are at the TRex Cafe at the museum.

We went to catch an elephant show and were bummed wen they brought it a rhino. The elephant would be out at 2. They only bring out the rhino a few times a week. He was interested in the grass and food but could perform and rock and roll head shake. The zookeepers shared lots of great info like he's scared of his girlfriend a little bit. This guy was 9 and his girlfriend is 10.

Shortly after this we found a sloth because Sidney Kate wanted to see one. I'm pretty sure sloths are her spirit animals. #sheisslow

The museum backs up nicely to the zoo so we booked it over to have time to eat and see about 20 minutes worth of dinosaurs before being due to the Dead Sea Scrolls. NO PICTURES ALLOWED.

I would have loved to have taken some but that was not allowed.

They not only had the scrolls but told about the time they were written, how they were found by shepherds, how they were sold around and the timing of that, plus artifacts. So many artifacts. Jars with seals, things used to make seals, mosaics found in the buildings. It was more than I could ever remember. But wow.

The girls let me do that for over an hour without going crazy. I greatly appreciate that!

We loved all the bears, but missed the actual ones because I packed too much in one day. I purchased Dead Sea Scrolls tickets at the museum at 1:50. I had read somewhere that folks spend 1-3 hours in the zoo. Or maybe that was something else I read. I've read too much. Anywho-after watching three zoo exhibit shows we were pushed for time and had to cut it short.

We did catch a sea lion show. So neat. The amount of fish they feed their sea lions and seals a day is ridiculous. Some of the sea lions were found not getting enough to eat in the ocean. They tagged them, got them to good weight, and released them only to find them in the same situation again. So they came to live at the zoo.

They also have a walkway over you where the tigers can go from one area to another. This tiger just wanted to hang there. The tiger show proved unsuccessful because the one they tried to bring out wasn't having it. They explained how they work with animals and it's always on their time-nothing is forced. That's reassuring. But we did get to hear from a keeper. Tons of information to be learned.

Today was a BIG day! By big I mean, getting on a bus at 8:30 to be at the zoo by 9:00.

Up early, breakfast in room, riding the bus situation here for the first time-Shew. I'd like to give a shout out to Appalachian State University and the Appalcart schedule for helping me learn how that works.

Denver is big but I'm learning to manage getting around.

So we hit the zoo and totally could have spent the whole day there. More on that in a future post.

Unlike the NC Zoo animals are so close. They have less space to roam, hide, and play though. But some animals were enjoy the AC that they have access to-so there's that.

The weather was amazing for today's adventures!

Post 1 of many...

Aquarium bonus post!

We got to pick a 4D show. It was between sharks and Storms-the movie. They were too afraid to see sharks so we watched a 15 minute version of storks-water, air, weirdness that was meh. But we did it.

Aquarium 3/3

I'm totally fine staying out of the ocean.

Aquarium 2/3

Little PDA with the local fish.

And oh, a tiger. At the aquarium. Why not? Let's have 3 please. They do. 😳

Aquarium 1/3

So many colorful and neat creatures! I've never seen so many colorful starfish.

Elevators = bust a move

First Uber was a success! Luis was so nice and spoke to ECV in Spanish when he learned about her DLI education. I think it's time to make sure she has an elevator speech in Spanish. Time to build confidence using her language. His daughter has four languages and works at a children's hospital. Wow!

Denver aquarium here we are!

Civic Center Park in Denver. The piano made the sculpture play drums and light up. Very neat sound.

Faces. Sidney Kate pretends to play the harp and Embree Claire...well. Does that.

Exploding day with Daddy. Crossed a bridge that looks like a ship, watching a puppy that looks just like indy play in the river and now eating at a restaurant recommended by Aunt Mary.