For some reason we decided on our first full day in Denver that it would be a good idea to wake up at an ungodly hour and drive over to Red Rocks to watch the sun rise. So here we are on Sunday morning getting up at 3:00 AM to make the 45 minute drive west to visit the iconic amphitheater.
Actually, 3 AM in Colorado is only 5 AM back home which is a full hour later than I usually get up, so I was kind of sleeping in. However, not for a Sunday.
We actually wanted to see a show at Red Rocks, but although there were bands pretty much every night we were there, none of us could agree on one of the acts to see for a reasonable price. That's why we settled on just visiting for the sunrise. While seeing a concert at Red Rocks still remains on my bucket list, I can't complain about our recent visit.
Fair warning, this is going to be a photo heavy post. @mrsbozz and I took so many good shots during our visit. It would be a shame not to share them with you.
There are several parking lots at Red Rocks and having never visited before, I just picked one and we started walking. The hike up to the amphitheater was quite honestly pretty grueling. I don't know if I am just that out of shape or if we weren't acclimatized to the elevation yet, but my lungs were burning by the time we got to the top.
This shot was taken only about half way up the ramp, but I love how you can see the city off in the distance. Even in the dark at the butt crack of dawn there were some amazing views!
As we continued to work our way up the rows, there were cleaning crews diligently and even meticulously cleaning the seats from the previous nights excitement. There was a distinct smell of stale beer, vomit, and porta john at the venue that almost but not quite took away from the magic of the moment. I can only imagine the revelry that takes place each night there is a concert here.
They open the venue for free like this every morning, so the cleaners probably have it down to an art and they were very respectful of the people trying to watch the sunrise.
Finally, we just settled in and waited for the show. @mrsbozz and I sat together about 3/4 of the way up the theater. There were already some groups of people at the very top. People continued to drift into the space as the sun made its way over the horizon. @mrsbozz's sisters family sat a little higher up than us.
You can see our nieces and their parents in the photo above at the upper left. It was a pretty magical experience seeing the sun rise at Red Rocks. When I was talking to my wife later about our trip, I asked her what her favorite part was. She said that her favorite part of our trip to Colorado was seeing my face at Red Rocks.
I played around with the panorama mode on my phone and I was able to get this shot. I should point out that all of these photos were taken with our phones. I'm quite impressed by the quality on many of them.
Eventually, the sun made its way above the hills and the city skyline in the distance and we knew it was time to head back to the house and get some much needed rest. We actually had some more adventures planned for the day that I will get to in another post tomorrow.
As we were leaving the venue, we took some final shots.
I really love the way that shadow photo turned out above. I was trying to get enough separation between us so you could distinguish everyone in the group. It ended up not being quite as clear as I would have liked, but I still love the end product.
Believe it or not, I only shared about half the photos we took while we visited for the sunrise. A lot of them are basically the same thing though, just with a bit different camera settings or a slightly different vantage point or zoom option. The last one was taken by my niece
Red Rocks is a truly magical place. There is almost an energy that emanates from the ancient rock formations. I really hope that I get the chance to visit it again one day and actually take in a show there. I've heard the acoustics are amazing!
Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports
I see a huge inspiration by the classical Greek amphitheaters ;)
Yes, very much so!
I saw the Doobie Brothers there what seems like a few lifetimes ago. Was incredible. At that time there was a little known hidden trail that you could take up the back of that giant rock and go thru the cave to look out that cave opening up there over the area. They've probably blocked that off by now.
Oh wow, that would have been amazing. I saw the Doobie Brothers at Pine Knob in Michigan when my wife and I were first dating. It was an amazing show even though they were well past their prime. I think Frampton opened for them. That is so cool about the path. We didn't do too much exploring, but you are probably right about it being blocked off now.
Me encanta, hace rememorar a un templo Greco.
Wow the sunrise looks amazing. I did one once in Cafe Del Mar in Ibiza. It's a thing to watch it there and it was well worth it. Why do you normally get up at 4am you mad bastard???
It was really fantastic. I get up early so I can work out before I head to work. I get into work about 6:30 and then I come home about 3:30, so I get more time in the evening to relax.
nice one mate I would love to do that.What time do you do to bed?
I'm usually in bed by like 8:00 PM then asleep by 9:00 PM
What a great trip! I've always wanted to visit there sometime and see a show. Good job on the shadow pic ;)
I still hope to see a show one day. Even with just the sun it was quite amazing. Thank you!
Red Rocks looks like a truly magical place. Thank you for sharing your experience as I have never heard of it or seen it before.
Oh really? I think the first time I heard about it was when I think the Moody Blues played there. I could be wrong though.
Yeah I can just imagine a concert there. It would be great.
You must had an amazing time @bozz. I do not think I have ever had such an adventure before and I think it's I experience the world around me better. Thank you so much for shearing...
It was my pleasure! It gives me the chance to relive the amazing time we had there.
Wow that's amazing
It really was!
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Omg red rocks looks amazing 😍
It really is! I'm so glad we got to visit.
That's an impressive place. I assume it's well away from any habitation. We don't have anything quite like that, but I have seen Macbeth at the Minack where you look out to sea.
Yes, it is about a 45 minute drive or so from the city center of Denver. It's just absolutely stunning!
Wow, those were some gorgeous shots! I really have to make it there someday. There's a northern route to Arizona that takes us through Colorado but we've never been able to take it because we travel in the winter.
Yeah, I would imagine it is pretty rough during that time of the year. I noticed that many of the east to west interstates out that way have gates so they can totally shut them down during blizzard conditions. I'm pretty proud of that first shot. I think I want to get it turned into something I can hang on my wall.
It was even rough along that southern route though so maybe we'll bite the bullet and give it a shot. The weather through those plains states is so volatile. The northern route takes us through Moab and I'd love to see that. You should! There are companies that will print a digital photo on canvas and even frame it for you. That would be very cool.
Yeah, we did that with a couple shots of Jovi after she passed. I have one sitting right next to my desk in my office. My buddy @a4xjeeper went to Moab a couple of years ago and he plans on going again next year. He is big into the jeep/offroading thing. I have a feeling if you stop you are going to end up wanting to come back in the summer when you can actually go up into the mountains. I'll be posting more about that in the coming weeks.
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This amphitheater is treat to my eyes. I cannot fly at this time to the red rocks. If I would be a bird then surely I would fly there right now.
After driving and tiring your lungs and feet, you got this beautiful sunrise----- indeed a beautiful morning with beautiful sunrise!
I added it to my bucket list.
Thanks, I don't blame you! I only half crossed it off my bucket list because I still need to see a concert there sometime!
Thank you!
That is an amazing view, what a pleasant experience and very good photos @bozz
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Thank you! It was a very special experience!
Super cool! A show at Red Rocks is on my list of things fo sho!!
You and me both!
Maybe we'll end up at the same show ;)
That would be pretty cool! What kind of music do you like?
I read about Red Rocks when I was in Denver but since we were only in town for two days I hadn't considered it. The views are gorgeous as is the amphitheater, it's really impressive. I half hope I had gone now, but not that early!!
It was well worth it. I still want to see a show there one day, but for now I am appeased.
Such a comforting view😍
It really was!
I haven't been to a concert there yet, but it's definitely on my bucket list. I haven't visited in over 10 years, and next time I go, I probably won't catch a concert since I'll have my two little ones with me. But we're still looking forward to the visit when we got in October. Sunrise looks like a great time to visit for a great view!
It was phenomenal and free, so that is always good. The climb might be rough for little ones, but I do think there is a lot higher up. I hope you have a blast! I still have a lot to cover from our trip.
They'll be 6 and 4. My 4-year-old will climb until he’s worn out, then he can ride on my shoulders. My 6-year-old, on the other hand, seems to have endless energy. On some of my longer run he will ride his bike up and down the hills with me the whole time.
Sounds like the are good to go then! The altitude difference is the only thing I would be worried about at that point.
It's a beautiful place isn't it? You got some great shots there, I've never been there for the sunrise before, that looked like a lot fun. Those shots came out beautiful. It makes the early morning drive and hike all worth it!
It definitely does! Just wait until you see my post tomorrow!
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