DATE NIGHT: Body Worlds and Dinner at Olivea

A couple weeks ago, Matt and I checked out the Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I had seen the exhibit the last time it was in Denver, but this was Matt's first time. I remember the exhibit being really busy (you have to buy timed tickets), but this time there was hardly anyone there. We went at about 6:30 p.m. on a Friday night...I don't think children are allowed after 6 p.m. or something, so maybe that's the reason for the lack of crowds. Which is exactly the reason I recommend going at this time! We breezed right through and had plenty of room and time to see everything.

I have to say that the exhibit is a little hard to believe...these are REAL bodies and REAL organs. But the whole thing is totally cool. I especially like the organs that have cancers or other things wrong. Tell me you are going to smoke again after seeing the black lungs of a smoker?! No way. And the different stages of the fetus is absolutely fascinating to me. The whole bodies are great as well. We liked how they positioned a lot of the bodies in sports positions. So cool. We also liked the small portion of the exhibit that talked about the artificial heart. Fascinating!

I thought waiting in line and walking through the exhibit would take a lot longer than it did (like the last time I saw it), but we were in and out in 30 minutes, so we headed to Olivea for dinner early. Which meant, of course, that we had to wait for our table. Which was fine, since they had some great drink options at their tiny bar. We drank some nice wines and their sangria and finally got some seats at the bar and then finally got our table.

This place is TINY, and they really pack em in. Our table was right by the door (boo), and poor Matt kept getting bumped. They should look into reconfiguring the table situation. Plus it was a colder night and with the door constantly being opened and shut, our table got drafty.

But the food TOTALLY made up for it. We had an AMAZING order of flatbread (prosciutto, fig, gorgonzola) and a lamb sausage to start...and I of course ordered another cocktail...a delicious lavender martini. YUM. Then for dinner Matt had the rigatoni and I had the pork porterhouse. WOW this food ROCKED.

You should totally check out this fab little restaurant on 17th between Washington and Clarkson (owned by the same folks as Duo in the Highlands). Make a reservation for sure and live with the fact that parking sucks (plan on driving around the block a few times before you find a space). The restaurant is on the left side of the street...we missed it the first time.

Here's info on Body Worlds (in Denver until July 18): http://exhibitions.dmns.org/home.aspx

Here's info on Olivea Restaurant: http://www.olivearestaurant.com/

Apex Park Hike

We kicked off the warm-weather season with an awesome hike along the Apex Trail on Sunday in the Jefferson County Open Space. I have been looking for a hike that's close to Denver and one that Tucker, our small terrier-mix, could do to get ready for a summer of hiking.

Honestly, this is not the most difficult hike in the world, but it's super easy to get to from the city...

Directions: From 6th/I-70/C-470, take I-70 west to exit 259, Morrison. Turn right and go about a mile to Heritage Road and turn left. Then take a short left onto a paved road into the large parking lot. If you see Kimball or Berthoud Streets, you've gone to far. Turn around and go back...you'll see the sign to Apex Park on your right. Then turn right into the parking lot.

This is a BUSY trail. There are bikers and hikers and doggies everywhere. We even encountered a freaking pack of lamas (no seriously, this group of people had pack lamas on the trail). But once you get going and make some decisions as to the direction you want to go, the traffic starts to thin out a bit.

We choose to take the Apex Trail to the Pick 'N Sledge Trail to the Sluicebox Trail, which I think was about 4 miles. Once we looped back to the Apex Trail, we decided to keep going toward the Enchanted Forrest (so cool), and then eventually looped back to the Apex Trail back to the parking lot.

The hike was just perfect for the first one of the season...slight uphill, clearly marked trails, beautiful trees and hills, great wildflowers, wonderful sound of running water from the creek and very few rocks to maneuver. Our little doggie did a great job and even met some adoring little kids along the way!

It didn't hurt that the weather was PERFECT...not too hot...not too cool...perfect Colorado spring weather. But we will absolutely be doing this hike again. It would be a good one to do with visiting family members who are looking to do something outdoors, but cannot handle a strenuous high-altitude hike.

What a fun day in Colorado!

Here's a link to a great article I found that helped us...
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/weather/13525303/detail.html

Matt and Tucker Bug on the trail...

WELCOME TO THIS DENVER LIFE

Welcome to a blog about life in Denver!

Here you will find posts about Denver restaurants, shops, happenings, events and cool things to do and check out. This is by no means an all-encompassing guide to Denver, but simply a diary of a regular life in Denver, trying to embrace everything the city (and beyond) has to offer.

Please feel free to post information about your own life in Denver and what you're up to. And of course, we welcome all comments and helpful tips or advice!