Denver

 When my dad was in high school he did an exchange year in the US. His host brother, Doug, and his daughter Jenna visited us in Norway a couple of summers ago. Ever since that I have always wanted to visit them in the states. They were kind enough to warmly welcome two norwegian travellers. Thats how we got to see Denver, Colorado!

Compared to LA and San Fransisco we knew very little about the city.. Doug, his wife Julie, Jenna and her boyfriend Josh did a great job as tour guides! We felt like we were really doing it the American way: Baseball, hamburgers and peanut butter sandwiches. We were also treated to some Norwegian delights in the form of brown cheese (Gudbransdalsost produced by Tine in Norway, by the name "Ski Queen Cheese"!) and rice porridge. Mmm. Doug also had his Norwegian flag out on the table and impressed us with Norwegian vocabulary. Together with the families great hospitality we felt like we were at home, only with an American twist!

"Brunost" and brown bread. THE BEST!

Rice porridge done our way with sugar, cinnamon and butter. Notice Doug's Norwegian flag!

Julie serving the best "pizza" I've ever had. BIG cookie with cream cheese/cream and fruit. Yum!

Our first day in Denver Doug showed us around town and took us to the Red Rocks. They are like nothing I have ever seen. Massive rocks with a deep, red colour placed seemingly randomly in the landscape. We took a walk around the rocks fighting the urge to climb on them. The penalty of a 999 dollar fine and/or 180 days in jail kept us in place. As did the rattlesnake warnings! There is a huge amphi theater placed between the rocks used for concerts and other arrangemants. Our last night Jenna and Josh took us to "Film on the Rocks" to see "Scott Pilgrim Against the World". It was a beautiful night to sit under the stars (and blankets). Everyone ooohed and aaahed and clapped at the right moments which worked great with the movie. We had such a good time!

Sanna and Doug at the Red Rocks. When Doug took my dad there a couple of years ago they saw a rattle snake.. Fortunatley all the wild life we saw was a rabin!

"Film on the rocks", movie in an amfi theater between the rocks. Spectacular!

Åslaug, Sanna, Jenna and Josh. Good times!

We also took a road trip up to Mount Evans, the highest road in the country. With it's 14,260 feet (4346m) it is the highest mountain we have ever been too! It's also the first time I've really felt light headed because of the altitude and even the short climb to the top left us short breathed! At the top it was 7 degrees celsius and really windy, but totally worth it. The veiw was amazing! We took some great photoes but decided not to stay fro long. Brrr. The road up to the summit was also beautiful, but really narrow and seemed to be simply carved into the mountain side.

The climb to the top of the summit.

Top of the world!

After our mountain adventures we went to Josh's house to have a barbeque. We were so glad our first American hamburger was a real good home made one, not from Mc Donalds! We also had "s'mores", a fabulous invention that eveyone were shocked to find out that we had never tasted. DO do this at home, kids! Grill a marshmellow over the fire, then squeeze it between two crackers with some chocolate. The warm marsmellow melts the chocolate and glues the sandwich together. YUM!

Andy (Josh's sister), Jenna and Josh!

Want some more, s'more?

We also got to see two baseball games! Our first one was the team Josh is playing for, a local league. We loved their name "Lumberjacks for Justice" and enjoyed the atmosphere of the game! A couple of days later we went to see the Rockies play the San Diego Padres at Coors Stadium. With help from Josh and Dough we feel like we're getting the hang of the rules. We had bought baseball caps and were really feeling the mood! The dark clouds were building up while we were watching and after a while the oooohs were not just for good play but massive lighting in the sky. Then it started to rain and the game was prosponed. We waited for a while but when the thunderstorm warning was sent out we decided to head home. Which worked out for the best because we could drop by Yoghurtland! By the time we got home the storm had passed and we could watch the last couple of innings dry and warm from the sofa. The rockies lost but we really enjoyed it none the less!

Jenna, Julie and Doug at Josh's ball game.

Baseball babes ;) Supporting the Rockies of course!

In action!

Then the game was rained out.. Which was also an experience!

We were sad to leave Denver but very thankful for the time we got to spend there. We met some great new people and had a lot of fun. Thank you again for all you did for us :D