Highland: tour the neighborhood, escorted by Dylan the Dog

Thank you West Highlands/ Sloan's Lake for so graciously welcoming me and my family to the neighborhood.  I was born and raised in San Diego, and lived as an adult in L.A. San Francisco, and western Washington State.  I have also spent several months backpacking through Europe, India and Thailand, Singapore and Bali before finally returning home just so that I could turn around and move to Chicago where I lived for 7 long cold years. I relocated to Denver, specifically Westminster in August of 2007 when I yearned for mild weather, friendly people, and access to both the pleasures of big city living combined with all of the wonder that the great outdoors can offer.

But when the city girl in me began to weep, we set our sights on Denver City Neighborhoods. And so began the search which could have lasted a lifetime because we were going it alone without the help of an agent.  We searched some great sites that helped us get familiar with neighborhoods and proximity's to the city, sites which included names of restaurants and bars, shops and parks.  Frankly, we overlooked Highlands because we thought it was out of our price range.  Everything that turned up on the real estate sites was discouraging.   Finally a friend recommended Carole at Cygnus Real Estate and 2 months later we were in our house in Highlands.  

Ode to Highland:  

We favored W. Highland/Sloans Lake for many reasons.  a) Proximity to downtown, b)character, c) access to highways, d) we had our own cute little neighborhood , and e) it reminded us of big city neighborhoods with such attributes as local flare, cultural and economic variety, friendly neighbors, walking distance to our cute little neighborhood which offers shopping, eating and drinking, and finally the most important factor... it's super dog friendly.  Wow, that was a long sentence.

Going forward this blog will focus on our neighborhood, Denver,  and Colorado in general as seen mostly through our experiences with our four and a half month old German Shepherd Dog puppy named Dylan.  (If you're not a dog person, it's ok... all of the dogs we've met have been very well behaved and don't interfere with folks who aren't comfortable with such beings.)

Socializing and Happy Hour:

Dylan is privately trained and so far in his young life has had limited access to other dogs, to cars, to babies etc.  Oh no...what are the girls to do?  First, we love taking him for walks around the neighborhood.  We get to look at all of the cool houses, meet the neighbors, meet other dogs, and practice our training techniques in a friendly environment.  We look forward to our walks because it gives us a chance to really appreciate where we live.  

Next, we can easily hop down to the city via car or bike and enjoy hikes, bike paths, food and drink, museums, shops and on and on to eternity.  But mostly, we love to take Dylan up to 32nd and Lowell where we can do things as a family. 

Well you probably didn't think this was a restaurant review blog either, but it is...

Tonight, March 8th, I took Dylan to happy hour at Mead Street. But as I was approaching it, I was saddened to see that the protective plastic covering was over the patio.  I wasn't sure if they would be ok with Dylan in there, and besides, I wanted to sit in the sun.  Mead Street is a great pub style place, dog friendly too, but I will review them next time.  

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes...as I was pondering my next move a gal emerged from a shop to play with Dylan.  Well, it wasn't  a shop, it was the restaurant Venue.  I didn't realize that they were open at 4 for happy hour, so was surprised to find myself being invited onto the patio where I would soon discover half off beers and wine.  The entire staff at one point or another came out to meet Dylan and made us feel very welcomed.  

Sooner or later you will find out that I am a beer snob of sorts and was delighted to find an extraordinary beer list sans Coors, Bud and Miller.  The wine list was extensive and not typical.  I ordered from the happy hour menu some of the best mussels I've ever had.  While the mussels were great, the sauce yummy, it was the bread soaking up the sauce that thrilled me, and for only $5 to top it off.  Dylan was hanging with me drinking water from a community dog bowl and saying hi to all passers-by... dogs, kids and adults alike.  We really enjoyed being able to interact with the neighborhood folks who stopped to chit chat about dogs, food, wine, the weather.  I was compelled to stay for dinner, and Dylan gave his paws up in approval.  Next I ordered pork loin with cherries and bacon corn grits, and asked for a recommendation regarding wine.  It was a french granache that complimented my tender delicious dish perfectly.  I was about to polish off the bread and butter when I was offered the dessert menu which included a dessert drink menu.  I went with what was recommended: the raspberry crepes with (my first experience with) a white port. Amazing. 

  

Completely satisfied well beyond expectation, Dylan and I went home... eight blocks away.  We couldn't have had a more enjoyable evening together.

Stay tuned for further adventures, including our first trip to the Platte river, dog friendly downtown, and dogscapades in Boulder and Estes Park.  Also, find out who our famous dog trainer is, and who we use for doggy day care, as well as the best places to eat, drink, hike and generally carouse with (and sometimes without :( )your dog.