Denver has many businesses and cultural experiences that Colorado Springs is missing.

I couldn’t find a really good place in Colorado Springs to sell some the items from my parent’s trust. So did a bunch of research on the internet and found a couple of Coin and Jewelry dealers in Denver that had high ratings. And they looked like they would be easy to find.

So my hiking friend and I set off on a Denver adventure today. Luckily, she is game to go on road trips, especially if there is a bit of fun or culture or nature involved. And if all three can be found on a trip, all the better.

When we stopped at the first Coin & Jewelry Dealer shop, I found him to offer me what I had been lead to believe was the value of the coins from my internet research. And labeled most that were in rolls to be just worth face value. Which I had also thought might be their value.

Then I brought out a mix of items that could have been gold or silver or costume jewelry. Again, he matched my exceptions from my research. Except for one item that was mine alone, and he offered me more than I had expected. I took gladly sold that for his offer.

Then I brought out the items I thought were the most valuable. One ring he dismissed at “nice costume” but not real gold, and he wasn’t interested in it for the stones. I may try to have it resized an wear it myself as it does have a lovely amethyst, my favorite gem stone.

The hardest one was my Mom’s wedding ring and engagement ring with diamonds. The largest diamond was very flawed. I knew that from when a jeweler friend had inspected it. And he would only offer the gold weight value for it, though he suggested it could retail for as much as $800. But he didn’t want to purchase it for the wholesale value with the flawed stone. So when this gentleman offered me the wholesale value, way above the gold weight, I took a deep breath and said, “yes” to selling it.

There was one more ring that did fit one of my fingers. It had many small single cut diamonds and sparkles beautifully. The price he offered wasn’t bad, but I decided to hold on to it as a keepsake of my Mom’s memory. I have another ring of hers that fits the same finger, so will use this one when wanting to dress up a bit more. When I told him I didn’t want to sell that one, he upped the price a bit, which makes me wonder if I did get the best deal on all of the other jewelry, but since the one came in much higher than expected, I think I did about as good as I could anywhere. And if I decide to sell this ring in the future, I will know its value.

My friend had found a flooring store next door and went there to ask some questions about a floor she needs to do something different with in her cottage behind her home. She returned just as we were finishing up with the cash transaction part of this business deal.

We were way ahead of my timing schedule, so instead of going to a nice place for lunch, found a bagel shop on the way to the Denver Botanical Gardens. She had brought a sandwich, and I hadn’t. So I bought a bagel sandwich and a carrot juice drink. She loves good bagels, so bought a half dozen of day old bagels to take home and freeze to have for sandwiches in the future.

We drove to the Botanical Gardens and got a sunny parking spot, where we took the time to enjo our sandwiches. We later learned we could have brought our food into the gardens and picnicked there, but didn’t know that for sure before, so just picnicked in the parking lot.

It was a free admission day and a glorious weather day, so I was afraid it might be crowded. But there were only a few places that we ran into a people traffic jam inside. Mostly there lots of space between us and others enjoying this beautiful winter day here.

We started by walking around the outer garden areas. Some waterways were totally dry and empty, some had running water, some were partially or totally frozen.

The garden was very much in winter mode.

But still offered some intriguing and beautiful images for our enjoyment.

These plants looked like ghosts walking through the mulch. And a few bits of green tried to beat the winter blues and thrive.

Next we went inside to see the Orchid Display.

Walking in this sunny hallway filled with orchids chased the winter blues away for my friend and I.

The orchids won our hearts and lifted our spirits high. We walked through the hallway twice. Seeing different arrangements each time.

How can one not smile when surrounded by these smiling flowery faces. There are two different exotic environments created at the Denver Botanical Gardens that take you far away from the arid high desert of Colorado landscapes.

You step into the conservatory that is filled with jungle plants and humid air. So much fun to be taken to a  very colorful and hot place in the middle of winter.

I doubt I would ever tire of walking here among these lush and flowering plants.

Its hard thinking I can only share these photos on a blog or Facebook. Maybe I will create the perfect book that it will be worth paying their $100 fee to use them for commercial purposes in the future. One never knows what the future might hold . . .

We took one last stroll in the exterior garden area then headed back home.

My friend really wanted to eat somewhere wonderful and had suggested P. J. Changs, but we weren’t hungry enough to stop at the one just off the highway south of Denver. She has been very disappointed with Chinese food in Colorado having grown up in New York and some of the best.

As we approached Colorado Springs, she mentioned the one at Briargate that she had expressed being disappointed at in the past. I knew of a really nice Chinese Restaurant, the Silver Pond on Academy that I thought she might like better. So we went there. We were the only ones in the restaurant, and had the full attention of the owners. The husband was the chef,  and his wife was our waitress. My friend described what she would like as a dish, and he concocted the perfect main fresh vegetable, chicken and shrimp setzuan entree. We shared the coconut glazed shrimp appetizer – I could have eaten more dishes with that sauce – superb! And the Hot and Sour Vegetarian soup was just perfect. Everything was freshly made and my friend was extremely happy to discover this Chinese restaurant.

When I dropped her off at her home I went to Costco and got staples my kitchen was missing and some treats for both myself and my roommate for future meals.

At home discovered I have a meeting on Wednesday for the Festival beer garden concept. That’s good.

Then found out my email had been hijacked!!!! Called Comcast and a really nice female tech helped me out. There was a new user account. She killed it. And helped get me up and running when my password wasn’t accepted for changing my security question.

Lots of people had responded to my emails for the Old Spokes Gallery Show at Commonwheel Artists Co-op that I and Roger are curarting. One told me a sad tale of a dear friend who was one of the founding members and her being diagnosed with dementia. Very sad to hear.

Then my friend Ann had some good news and potential really great news for getting the word our to the media about this show. Will have to wait until later this week to learn more.

It has been so fun working with Ann on this project. I miss our times together that have become few and far between in recent years. Life gets in the way sometimes, but thankfully we haven’t lost that special bond.

Now I have been blogging way longer than intended. I am falling over tired after getting up much earlier than normal without a full 8 hours of sleep. Still need to format this a bit . . .

So am headed to bed, but need to set my alarm to not miss my Aine Healing Circle in the morning.