Day 14: Denver, CO to Idaho Springs, CO

We woke up and started off the day with our treadmill and pool laps workout before heading out to walk about ten minutes to Syrup, an extremely popular brunch place with a crazy line. Abe arrived around 10:40 and was told that the wait would be about 45 minutes. We met Michael and Lindsay, Arielle’s cousins who had introduced us to Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs last time we were in Denver. The wait proved worth it, and we have pictures of all four dishes we ordered below. Arielle ordered a pancake trio featuring baked apple, double berry bliss, and s’mores. Abe got The Foster, which was French toast with banana slices sautéed in maple syrup. Michael got the Kitchen Sink, and Lindsay got the Marilyn Benedict. Everyone enjoyed their food! It was a lovely meal with great company.

We returned swiftly to the hotel to get ready for the wedding with barely an hour before we had to leave. We met the other Arielle in the lobby (Erik had gone up early due to his role as a member of the “support team” for the couple) and took an Uber to the Maven Hotel where everyone else was staying. We had built in plenty of time, so we arrived early and relaxed before boarding the chartered coach bus to the venue.

It took about 45 minutes to reach Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, which was right off the highway and instantly breathtaking to look at. We split our time between the two different tishes (merry moments of singing and toasting with the bride and groom), and then reunited when Sam was danced by his friends towards Amalia. Their friend Becca, a rabbinical student who had introduced them, officiated the wonderful ceremony, which ended with all of their relatives and support team members singing “Oseh Shalom” right before Sam broke the glass. Everything about it felt very personalized for them, which was really nice to see.

The reception was equally terrific, with a delicious plated salad that Abe was able to get without dressing followed by a buffet featuring local Colorado trout, risotto, broccolini, and an herb focaccia bread . The dessert was exceptional, with hand-scooped ice cream provided by Little Man Ice Cream (which also supplies to Milkbox, where we went on Friday night) and a tasty gluten-free cookie cake in honor of Amalia, who is gluten free. A highlight of the reception was Amalia singing Sam an Ingrid Michaelson song. Guests pictured in the photos include Jack and (yet another!) Arielle, Andrew, Erik and Arielle, and, of course, Amalia and Sam! We boarded the bus back to the Maven around 10:45pm and arrived back, satisfied with a great night with great people and ready to get back to our road trip the next morning.

Approximate number of miles covered: 84