Coors Brewery, Golden, Colorado

A co-worker from the company my husband works for in Manhattan, flew in last Monday to do an audit in the Colorado office on Tuesday, and we took her around locally for a quick tour. Unfortunately, the usual bright blue Colorado skies were overcast that day and visibility of this beautiful area were less than ideal.  We drove up nearby Morrison to show her the fabulous outdoor Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, as you can see by the collage above, but I'll save explaining more about this remarkable area for a more scenic day when I can take better photos of it.

Next, we took an exciting spin through some of the roads through the foothills...watch out for falling rocks!

The drive was very scenic, even if the weather wasn't cooperating with us.

We then entered the charming town of Golden, Colorado.

Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in June of 1859, the mining camp was originally named Golden City in honor of Thomas L. Golden, a miner from Georgia, United States, who was one of the earliest prospectors in the area.

The very large red Coors Brewery sign is easy to spot in town. The company is now known as MillerCoors (one word) after both companies merged in 2008. The brewery building is the largest of its kind in the world! The brewery is one of the top global brewers in the world, with more than 40 brands in its portfolio.

Tours of the Coors Brewery are free and conducted Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 to 4 p.m., and begin in the southeast corner of the visitor parking lot, at 13th and Ford Street. Guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Adolph Coors (1847 - 1929) apprenticed at a brewery in Prussia during his teens and immigrated as a penniless stowaway to America in 1868 to realize his dreams of becoming a brewer. Adolph opened the Golden Brewery (later Coors Brewing Company) in Colorado and tapped his first barrel in 1873. He specifically chose this area of the country as he felt it had the perfect water for producing a high-quality beer.

The brewery tour is around a 30-minute self-paced, walk through of the brewery. The process of making beer is described through an audio player recording we were provided with, and also through informative dioramas and picture windows looking down on the actual brewery's malting, brewing, and packaging processes.  I was fascinated to learn that Coors recycles or reuses an average of 95% of the solid waste it produces, from spent grain yeast to alcohol.

At one point during the tour a small sample of freshly brewed Coors beer or Coors Light beer, direct from the barrels, is given to each guest over 21.

The tour culminates in the hospitality lounge, where each guest over the age of 21, with a valid ID, is allowed to sample three of Coors fine products.  Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. There is also the opportunity to shop in the Coors and Co. gift shop.

We sampled Batch 19 Beer, which is an amber lager made from a recently rediscovered pre-prohibition formula. It is now available in select cities. We also enjoyed our personal favorite, the slightly sweet, orange essence Blue Moon Belgium white beer.

Afterward, we walked into town to enjoy a nice hot lunch at a local eatery and let our beers digest.  It was a good thing we did, as we took a Coors brewery tour guide's suggestion to take a drive to a nearby destination.....

....can you see it in the hazy distance? It's Lookout Mountain! At 7,581 feet, it is one of the larger foothills which overlooks Golden, Colorado, and the site of some interesting historical sights. I'll show you what we saw on a future blog post!

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Discovering Columbus in New York City

This is how most New Yorkers see Columbus Circle in Manhattan.  It is a small park/traffic circle located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South (West 59th Street), and Central Park West, at the southwest corner of Central Park. It is the point from which all official distances from New York City are measured, and one of the busiest intersections in New York City.  I took this photo and the next photo last year, looking through a mosaic paned window from the second floor of the Time Warner Center, located at 10 Columbus Circle.

A 13-foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus has stood 75 feet on top of the Columbus Monument in the center of Columbus Circle since 1892. It was placed there to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. Sculpted by Gaetano Russo, the marble statue stands on top of a granite column featuring bronze ships' prows that represent his famous voyage with the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria.

Recently, this is how many fortunate New Yorkers, and tourists, were able to view this same statue of Christopher Columbus.

No, he wasn't removed from his pedestal and brought inside a museum or an exhibit hall.

In fact, an exhibit room was built around the statue! 

This is a photo taken from the same location in the Time Warner Center window of the scaffolding, 6 story staircase and room built as part the Discovering Columbus exhibit.  It was conceived by the Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi and backed by the Public Art Fund.

The exhibit is an 800-square-foot replica of a contemporary living room that is suspended 70 feet in the air, supported by scaffolding. To enter the room, a visitor first has to climb six flights of stairs. There is also a hoist lift for use by disabled visitors.

The Statue of Columbus stands like a decorative item on a central coffee table in the room and is surrounded by several comfy chairs and sofas, and a bookcase and flat screen television.

Visitors are free to lounge on the furniture and get a good look at the monument.

It was quite an unusual experience!

The pink and gold wallpaper covering the walls in the room was designed by the artist and features iconic American pop culture figures, such as Mickey Mouse, Elvis, Michael Jackson, McDonald's and Coca Cola.

There were also beautiful views of New York City from the windows in the room where Columbus stood. Looking north, you can see a portion of the Trump International Hotel and Tower located between Broadway and Central Park West

From other windows, you can see 8th Avenue and Central Park South.

It was an amazing feeling to be able to gaze into the eyes of a statue that for 120 years could only be viewed from the ground, far below. This art exhibit by Nishi, his first in the United States, accomplished its purpose of altering this statue's perspective and allowing the public to have intimate access to a work of art that is often overlooked.

The free exhibit has been so popular, it has been extended till December 2, 2012.  A timed reservation pass has to be obtained on the Public Art Fund web site in order to be admitted. If you are in NYC and have the time, hurry over to have this amazing encounter before it's too late!

Walkway Over the Hudson River

A few weeks before Hurricane Sandy sadly devastated many coastal areas of New York and New Jersey, I had taken a trip upstate New York to see the beautiful autumn foliage that was at its season's peak.  You can read my prior post about my visit to the beautiful town of Rhinebeck, NY on this link.  After leaving Rhinebeck, my friends and I decided we wanted to take a scenic walk over the Hudson River.

We drove to the town of Poughkeepsie, NY, which is on the eastern side of the Hudson and one of the portals to the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.  The park is a linear walkway spanning the Hudson River. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. The park is managed and maintained by NYS Parks – Taconic Region. Walkway State Park officially opened to the public on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

The Walkway’s 1.28-mile long path provides access to the Hudson River's breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists and people with disabilities--dogs are also welcomed! The walkway park has two entrances, one on each side of the Hudson River in the towns of Poughkeepsie and the town of Highland, NY.  It is open from 7 AM until sunset, weather permitting.

The views of the shoreline from the walkway are spectacular, as well as...

...the Hudson River which is 212 feet below.

Photo Source: Wikipedia

The Walkway Over the Hudson began as the former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge on Jan. 1, 1889. At the time it was the longest bridge in the world and the first of any bridge to span the Hudson. It became a key transportation hub linking western raw materials to eastern industrial centers until the fire in 1974 ended its use and it was left abandoned.  The brand new park was made possible due to the unwavering commitment of the community, who, through a non-profit organization called "Walkway Over the Hudson," forged a public-private partnership involving the State of New York, the federal government, neighboring municipalities, private corporations and other not for profit groups who raised the funds to turn this abandoned railway bridge into a beautiful walkway park for all to enjoy.

More about the original bridge can be read on these informational placards that were located at the western entrance.  This photo collage, as well as all photos in this post, can be enlarged for better viewing by clicking on them once, and then again when they open alone. Click on your back arrow to return to the post

A view of the Mid Hudson Bridge from the walkway.

As we walked the sun was moving in and out behind the clouds and kept changing the light on the shorelines. At the time the autumn trees almost glowed with color and...

..the Hudson River turned pale shades of iridescent blue.

Just beautiful!

In the distance we could see the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. What a wonderful view its students must have!

As we approached the western section of the walkway the trees looked so spectacular, I took many, many, photos.

The trees formed Nature's patchwork quilt.

The Walkway Over the Hudson is truly a magnificent way to see and enjoy the beauty of the Hudson Valley of upstate New York in any season, but especially in autumn.

Please remember those affected by Hurricane Sandy and consider making a donation to the American Red Cross.

T

Beautiful Rhinebeck on the Hudson River

My husband and I drove upstate last weekend with two dear friends to enjoy the autumn foliage. New York State has a spectacular autumn color just as New England, and I believe the leaf color was at its peak.

The scenery along our drive on the Taconic State Parkway was magnificent!

I have to admit my camera was able to catch some good photos, even though I was sitting in the back seat of our friend's car.

We had no set agenda for the day, other than to enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery, and we decided to stop at the historic town of Rhinebeck for lunch.  There we saw the beautiful Beekman Arms Inn that dates back to colonial times, and is the oldest inn still in continuous use in the United States!

The original part of the inn was built in 1766 by Arent Traphagan.  He was the son of William Traphagen who founded the town of Rhinebeck in 1688.  The inn was originally known as Bogardus Tavern during the last third of the 18th century and helped host the military leaders of the American Revolution. George Washington, Philip Schuyler, Benedict Arnold and Alexander Hamilton all slept here!  In 1775 the 4th Regiment of the Continental Army drilled on its front lawn before the war. During the Revolution, Rhinebeck, a part of the “Breadbasket of Dutchess County,” provided badly needed flour and grain to the American troops who were stationed in the Highlands to the south. In all, Dutchess County provided about one-third of all the grain consumed by the Americans.  More about the fascinating history of this inn can be read on this link.

We also visited the A.L. Stickle Variety Store, which was established in 1946 as an original 5 and 10 cents store. Walking along the aisles of the store was a trip down memory lane as they had for sale many old-time notions, gadgets, thingamajigs, and doodads that are hard to find any longer. It was so much fun to see things I remembered from my childhood. Check out their website to see a few of the products they offer by mail order.

Driving out of the town of Rhinebeck we caught glimpses of the Hudson River rimmed with autumnal colors.

This view of the river took my breath away!

We pulled into Staatsburgh, a New York State Historic Site located within the boundaries of Mills-Norrie State Park. There we saw the Morgan Lewis mansion that was built in 1832 during the "gilded age."

More information from the mansion's website:

"It provides an example of the great estates built by America's financial and industrial leaders during the Gilded Age. A 25-room Greek Revival structure was built on the site in 1832 by Morgan Lewis and his wife, Gertrude Livingston, replacing an earlier house that had burned down. This second house was inherited by Ruth Livingston Mills, wife of noted financier and philanthropist Ogden Mills. In 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Mills commissioned the prestigious New York City architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White to remodel and enlarge their Staatsburg home. After completion in 1896, the house was transformed into a Beaux-Arts mansion of 65 rooms and 14 bathrooms. Its exterior was embellished with balustrades, pilasters, floral swags, and a massive portico. The rooms were furnished with elaborately carved and gilded furniture; fine oriental rugs; silk fabrics; and a collection of art objects from Europe, ancient Greece, and the Far East."

Some interesting informational placards on the site.  (All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on once, and then again when they open on a new page. To return to this post use your browser's back arrow)

This elegant mansion, restored to its turn-of-the-century appearance, is open for tours and the house and grounds offer special events throughout the year.

We did not go on the house tour but enjoyed strolling around the beautiful grounds.

Can you see the leaves falling from this tree? It was so peaceful to take a few minutes to enjoy this sight!

Upstate New York is full of pastoral scenes such as these...

...it definitely is a wonderful place to take a drive

We drove down to Poughkeepsie, NY to take the walkway over the Hudson River--a spectacular view you won't want to miss that I'll show on my next blog post--I hope you will come back to join me again then!