Future Gringo | Denver and Travel Blog by James Van Dellen

Photo . York Street at Botanic Gardens (0)

8.25.10

Recent Posts

Camping . Guanella Pass (0)

8.20.10

Most of my weekend camping trips include a solid three hour drive out of town. I love Buena Vista and central Colorado, or north to Wyoming, but both are at least two hours away. My friend has a spot in Guanella Pass only about 1.5 hours from Denver (the last half hour down a dirt [...]

Eat Pray Love (2)

8.19.10

I just watched a preview for the Movie “Eat Pray Love” in which Julia Roberts goes on sabbatical to Italy, Thailand and Bali. I created a more relatable poster for my fellow Americans who lack passports or whose bosses won’t let them take a year off work. I really enjoy Lewis Black’s review on the [...]

Epcot Center . Orlando (0)

8.10.10

In recent years I’ve been traveling to Florida a few times annually for the purpose of visiting an elderly relative. Sometimes I go solo, other times my Mom from flies down from Michigan and we’d meet in Tampa or Orlando. We visit the assisted living center, take her to lunch, and socialize with the folks [...]

Caravan Inn . Glenwood Springs (1)

7.31.10

A few weeks ago I went rafting with a group of friends on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon. My friend arranged a group rate at the Caravan Inn, whose owners are friends with Whitewater Rafting and got us a very special family rate. I’ve passed through Glenwood Springs countless times, and when overnighting have [...]

Glenwood Canyon (0)

7.31.10

Photo from my rafting boat two weeks ago, right before I tucked the camera into the water tight bag.

Too Many Rules (0)

7.31.10

One of the things I’m reminded of when I travel south of the border is how rigid and sterile some aspects of life can be in the states. Last winter, returning from 10 days in Mexico, my first errand was to Target to restock the fridge. It struck me how antiseptic everything in the grocery [...]

Detours Toocan Panniers (0)

7.22.10

For a few years I’ve had this Trek Grocery pannier. I never cared for it. When filled and heavy the bottom would sag and clip my back wheel. When empty the lack of deep hooks threw it off my rack too often. I set out to find a new one, and being a beautiful Saturday [...]

Pho La . Los Angeles (2)

7.22.10

Pho is a Vietnamese dish that’s seen a recent surge in popularity. Pronounced “Phah” it consists of rice noodles in a rich flavorful broth, accompanied by meats that are cooked in the broth before eating. My friends rave about their latest “Phah,” experiences and how great it is. I never gave it much thought, but [...]

Photo . Riviera Supper Club (1)

7.19.10

In Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Growers Direct . Costa Mesa (0)

7.14.10

I was in Costa Mesa for a wedding last month, and much of the party overnighted at the clean and functional Ramada Inn Costa Mesa. The wedding was on a boat in Newport Harbor. If you’ve never been to a wedding on a boat I highly recommend crashing one. It was quite the time and [...]

A Wallet from Paseo de Recoleta (0)

7.08.10

Meeting local artisans and craftmakers is a great way to connect when traveling. I don’t mean beach vendors who hawk blankets and t-shirts sporting crass puns and inappropriate cartoons, rather local sales folks at street fairs and farmer’s market style gatherings that sell locally produced wares. Like the Ybor City Market in Tampa. Every Sunday [...]

Steelcase Pyramid (3)

7.01.10

If you’re in the West Michigan area and want to do some (sub)urban exploring check out the abandoned Steelcase Pyramid over by the airport. It was built in 1989 and housed the corporate development department until consolidated with another building in 2009. It was also know for integrating “green” elements when built – the heat [...]