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Big Ol Holiday

May - August 2023
USA, UK, EU bound over the course of 3 months.
Visiting the old and exploring the new! Read more
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  • 77footprints
  • 16countries
  • 77days
  • 629photos
  • 18videos
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  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    Day 1

    Made it to Denver!

    May 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After 24 hours of travel I made it!
    Long flight was okay, exit row made the legs more comfortable but I think every single person on the plane came and stood next to me at some point. Sat with Rick, who may be a borderline alcoholic as he ordered about 8 gin and tonics but was friendly enough.
    LAX was a nightmare, it took 3 full hours from when I got off the plane to my next gate for the Denver flight. Luckily I had a long layover so made it.
    Second flight was fine, then I caught the light rail to Denver and walked to my accommodation.
    Went to the grocery store and ran into a lady who lost her cat. Tried to help, couldn't find "Spoons". Currently am sitting at the park 2 mins away from my accommodation trying to feel like a normal human. Pray for me sleeping tonight!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    2
    Day 2

    Movement day

    May 22, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today I woke up after a jet lagged anxious night and wanted to get moving, get into a normal routine again. Started the day with a jog to one of my old favourite spots, Sloan's Lake. Then decided to go to the closest mountains to Denver, a town called Golden. Caught the bus and drove past where I used to live! Went for a hike up a small hill (compared to the Rockies) and had a beautiful view of the whole city. Went and had lunch in the town. Then hit Colorado Mills, the mall. Can't buy much as I have no luggage space and everything is quite expensive with the exchange rate being crap, but I bought a puzzle for something to do while I'm solo!
    Headed home for a bit and might try hit a bar to watch the NBA finals as Denver is about to beat the Lakers!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    2
    Day 3

    *cue Downtown by Petulia Clark*

    May 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Today started with a run back to the lake to allow me to feel less guilty about drinking beers later. I walked downtown, jumped on the free shuttle bus along the 16th Street mall which has now been diverted to 17th Street? Anyway, they are doing a 'revitalisation' of the mall leaving it chaotic, empty and loud. I'm not in a rush to head back that way...
    Paid a whole $6 to see guardians of the galaxy and get a small popcorn #deals. If you've not seen guardians, please go and see.
    Wandered back down the mall to Tony Ohrdorfs favourite shop, Ross for Less. They really have everything you could ever need there. Was stopped multiple times and asked for money, but one nice guy complimented me on my "fit and smile" which brightened my day.
    Hit Chipotle for a burrito the size of a small child. Next I met up with my old assistant coach at one of the many breweries. We shared a few bevs and stories which was so lovely.
    Finishing the day up back at the apartment, cooking and watching the Ed Sheeran doco. So a perfect night to end a solid, lovely day!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    Day 4

    Catch up in Colorado

    May 24, 2023 in the United States

    Today I slept in and took my time getting going. I was picked up by Tanya, my former college coach and we went to Sam's No. 3, a diner downtown. It was great catching up with her and hearing all the stories from the past few years. I had the worlds biggest breakfast burrito, which thankfully I was able to bring the rest home for tomorrow. She took me to the athletic offices where we used to meet and it definitely brought back some memories.
    Next I got changed as it was storming, then headed up to catch the bus to meet my formed athletic trainer Drew. It was another classic bus journey, striking up a conversation with people about Australia and the Denver Nuggets winning streak.
    I stopped at a brewery in the south pearl district on the way and had an amazing watermelon sour and a great red ale on my tasting tray.
    Finally met up with Drew and went to his house for dinner. I got to meet his 6, 4 and 2 year old and see his awesome wife again. We played on the playground, had dinner, went for ice cream and watched Bluey. It was a perfect night, feeling very loved by those in Denver!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    16
    Day 5

    We love a tourist day

    May 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Today was another slow start, I walked downtown and tried to get tickets to the tour of the Mint. They were all sold out when I got there sadly. So I walked around to the City Building and Capitol Building. I went into the Capitol and had a look at the Colorado Senate, House of Representatives and saw where all the offices are. It was a gorgeous building inside and out. There were no tours sadly though 😞
    Then I didn't know what to do, so after a quick google I decided to head to the History Colorado Centre. It was a great choice, I spent 4 hours learning about Colorado natives - Utes, Sand Creek massacre, climate of Colorado and all about the events in history that have shaped the state. Peep the video of my epically failing on the ski jump, all my days of Wii fit have not paid off.
    By this time it was 3pm and I was starving, so I took a trip to the one and only Cheesecake Factory. I had a delicious meal, got a slice of cheesecake and had the nicest waitress who gave me a discount. I find myself more open to having conversations with people, as I don't have anyone with me - definitely the community worker in me craving the chats!
    I then walked home in a wonderful summer storm, completely soaked and concerned I was going to be hit by lightning. Made it back unscathed. I was going to go back out but got really sleepy, so I am laying on the lounge eating leftovers. A perfect night really!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    Day 6

    Back to Metro

    May 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Today I started the day with a walking tour beginning at the Capitol building. The guides name was Anthony (I cannot escape Toni/ys it seems) and people from Texas, Pittsburgh, New England, Old England, New York, Minnesota. It was actually so nice to chat with people and find out where they were from. We toured around Denver for over 2 hours. It was nice to hear some stories and facts about all the main spots which I'd seen before. One cool story at the Mint was seeing how each US coin has a tiny letter so you can see where in the country it was minted. There was also a story about the eagle on top of the Denver city building looking like it was "pooping" as a protest of the government by its creator. This was such a widely spread story that the city commissioned an ecologist to watch eagles poop to see if it was the same as the sculpture. Turns out they were just paranoid, the eagle isn't in a "pooping" stance.
    After that I walked back to visit the University I went to, Metro State. I walked past the old courts I trained on and through the building we used to spend heaps of time in. Interestingly, I felt a sense of dread and anxiety being back. I guess the good, the bad and the ugly memories came flooding back!
    I had lunch at the brewery, the Tivoli which is on campus. I had this massive burger and a beer which students from the Uni have helped brew. I then caught up with Eric, who is the media guy at Metro and has interviewed me countless times. It was great to see what he is up to and talk about life.
    Then I came home and started to pack my stuff up as I leave on Sunday to go with Kendra for her wedding week!
    Being a tightass, I bought a microwaved meal and will eat leftover cheesecake for dessert!
    I'm very excited to be able to watch the Formula One in a decent time zone tomorrow and Sunday as well!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    13
    Day 7

    Kendra's HERE

    May 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today I woke up and was able to watch formula one qualifying at a decent time. It's the small things in life haha. I then went on a walk downtown, along the river and up to the Santa Fe art district which has some gorgeous Spanish inspired buildings. I walked back through the old stretch of Metro where I would spend my breaks and past the old church as well. I started packing all my things as today is my last full day on Denver! I read my book in the park and worked on my tan as it was 27c today.
    Then Kendra arrived! We spent the afternoon chatting, then met up with my former assistant coach Jazz, her girlfriend and her best friend. We went to a super loud pizza place which was fun. Kendra and I stopped at a brewery on the way home, then both agreed on an early bed time. It is the absolute best chatting to her about life and all the plans for the wedding.    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    2
    Day 8

    Welcome to Cañon City

    May 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Today I woke up for the last time in Denver. Kendra and I had breakfast then got in the car and drove about 2 hours to her home in Cañon City. The drive is always gorgeous, alongside the Rocky Mountains. We listened to a wedding playlist as she and her partner still need to pick their first dance song!!
    We arrived at their gorgeous house, a 2 bedroom with a huge backyard and I got to meet Onyx and Duke, the two doggos. Had lunch and then I got to meet Kendra's fiance Mitch for the first time! He was also with his sister Makayla who is going to be in the wedding party too. They were both so lovely, and Mitch immediately made me feel welcome. We watched the formula one together and instantly bonded. Kendra was not surprised. We stopped by Sonic, which was always our favourite place to get slushies and ice cream.
    Next we went to home depot and the grocery store to pick up some things. I sat in the backyard playing with the dogs while Mitch and Kendra worked on the house. Finally I helped cook dinner and Mitch made this incredible salad and pesto pasta for us. We then watched a stand-up comedy special by Iliza which was hilarious. I'm so happy to be here and getting to stay with Mitch and Kendra this week.    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    1
    Day 9

    Best city in America

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today I woke up and we did some wedding planning stuff. Making lots of lists of jobs to do in the next few days. Kendra and Mitch are prepared but there is definitely a lot of tension, things going on with them so I'm trying to give them space as well. Mitch made a delicious breakfast though. We then went to exercise, Mitch and Kendra rode their bikes and I ran along a beautiful trail right by their house. We then drove up to Kendra's parents house in Pueblo, we took Duke and Onyx the two dogs up with us. They were excited to see Buck and Sadie, the 2 dogs of Kendra's family.
    I sat outside and talked with mom and dad. It was so lovely catching up with them both, they haven't changed a bit. Mom and I went to Walmart and I just loved being back inside with all the things.
    Then we had a bbq lunch, complete with Pueblo green chili's. Even finished with cake. I was definitely spoilt. Kendra tried on her wedding dress which looked amazing! Then I sat with Kendra's mom again!
    Now I'm just watching tv with all the dogs while Mitch and Kendra are chatting, fingers crossed everything is talked out tonight!!    Read more

  • TravelerBig Ol Holiday
    31
    Day 10

    Can do Cañon

    May 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Today I woke up and chilled out with the dogs while Kendra and Mitch did some more wedding stuff. Did some weeding to help them out and tried on my dress to make sure it still fit.
    Kendra and I then went to a local coffee shop. We got some drinks and a chocolate pumpkin muffin cause #murica. Kendra then wrote some thank you letters and her vows while I read. Eventually it was time for a beer as well.
    Then we walked the main street seeing all the art work and beautiful old buildings.
    Going home, Kendra and Mitch spoke to the DJ about the events on the day which got me so excited for the day! I told Mitch about the men in Australia at weddings dancing to Eagle Rock with their pants down, in their boxers and now he wants to participate in this tradition.
    Finished the day up with a hike near the Royal Gorge with the dogs. Kendra and I had a good time catching up but we forgot to bring leashes for the dogs... So we walked them on ski poles... Mitch went for a mountain bike! We then went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, I had a chimichanga and a margarita which were delicious.    Read more

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