May 9, 2014
Dear Everyone:
I survived the Denver Wedding Death March.
Last Thursday, “Jeannie” and I drove to the
San Francisco International
Airport, affectionately referred to as “SFO”, and flew to
Denver.
“Richard” and “Marge’s” daughter, “Heloise” was getting married
on Saturday.
The reason we went to SFO was because there are no direct flights
between
Oakland and Denver.
The extra driving time avoided spending hours hanging around another
airport in Arizona,
Nevada or
Utah, waiting for a connecting flight.
Also, “Jeannie’s”
ear doesn’t particularly like the
going-up-and-going-down part of flying, so we did what we could to avoid
that.
Once we arrived at the Denver airport, we hooked up with “Marshall”,
checked out a rental car and made our way to the hotel, thanks to the
navigational abilities of “Marshall’s” smartphone (“just keep following
the blue dot”.) At the
hotel, with greatly reduced group rates negotiated by “Richard”, we each
received a “Welcome Bag”.
This was a very nice paper bag, in the bride’s colors, filled with
useful items like snacks and bottled water.
This was just one example of the magnificent attention to detail
exhibited by “Heloise” and “Marge”.
On Friday, the day before the wedding, we formed a larger group with
“Frankie” and her family, along with “Alice” and “Kelly”, and trouped
off to Red Rocks Park and
Amphitheatre.
Much walking about and taking of pictures took place.
After that, we proceeded to the
Denver Botanic Gardens with more
walking and more taking of pictures.
It was around this time that I began to be concerned about
sunburn. When I was packing
my luggage, I was thinking “wedding”, not spending hours out in the sun.
Unfortunately, I had not thought to pack a hat.
Fortunately, the moisturizer I did pack boasted a “Sun Protection
Factor”, affectionately referred to as “SPF”, of “30”.
I don’t know exactly what the “30” means, but the bottom line is
I did not suffer any sunburn, for which I am grateful.
Others in the group were not so lucky.
Saturday was devoted to The Wedding.
Everything went beautifully, not counting “Jeannie’s” fork which,
during the Reception Dinner, leaped out of her hand, did a perfect full
gainer, and landed in my lap.
Fortunately, the stain did come out in the wash.
As for everything else, all I can say is:
If I ever decide to hold a wedding, or any other major social
event, I’m putting “Marge” in charge of it.
On Sunday, those who needed to get back to work on Monday took their
leave early. “Marshall”
didn’t have to go until later, and “Jeannie” and I had decided to “take
it easy” and stay an additional night; so the three of us went off in
search of something called The Mile High
Flea Market (“Colorado’s
largest outdoor shopping & entertainment place”.)
More walking in the sun. I
took one picture of “Jeannie” taking “Marshall’s” picture posing next to
a large wooden cartoon of a “flea”.
There were many, many booths, some temporary, others more
“permanent” and many places offering “refreshments”.
We saw one man with a big smile on his face and two very large
turkey drumsticks, affectionately referred to as “salmonella on a
platter”.
When we got tired of walking (again) we made it back to the car and
joined “Frankie” and Company for lunch, after which they took “Marshall”
to the airport and “Jeannie” and I repaired to the hotel for a leisurely
dinner, a nice quiet evening, and a relaxed trip home.
Tuesday morning I discovered that, what with all that walking, I had
“misplaced” a few pounds, but rest assured they’re finding their way
back now.
Love, as always,
Pete
| Previous | Next |