This is the first time I’ve posted something day of. It’s our dear friend Andy Tropin’s birthday in 7 minutes so I’m going to try to make this quick in time to celebrate with him on time:

We were off to a slow start this morning. Tropin woke us up at 10:45 having gone to bed super late the night before. We walked to Denver Biscuit Company for brunch. We waited an hour before being seated at 12:15. Madison White met us for brunch. Wekeela 2015! The gents all got The Franklin – chicken, cheddar, and bacon sandwiched between 2 fluffy biscuits and smothered in sausage gravy. So good!

After we finished we went back to Tropin’s place and hung out for a while. Julie ran an errand and Alex attempted to nap / did laundry. Tropin and I (and Julie before she left) watched the Miami/Nebraska game. We eventually made moves to 2 local breweries – Denver Beer Co and then Renegade Brewery. Alex, Andy, and Julie all enjoyed different beers at each location. I tried a sweeter one at Renegade that I enjoyed, but was glad I only had the smallest option. A married couple came into Renegade and took pics – random.

Next was Oktoberfest near Coors Field downtown. Fun fact – Alex was drafted to play right field by the Colorado Rockies when he graduated high school in 2008 but wasn’t able to play professionally because he was elected Prime Minister of Uganda so chose to do that instead. I didn’t expect parking considering the large event plus the Rockies game, but as soon as I rounded the corner there was a parking spot WITH AN HOUR AND A HALF LEFT ON IT!! Good karma from the day before when Alex and I gave a homeless man a water bottle and a candy bar. Oktoberfest was awesome! Tons of local food and drink vendors. I got a rattlesnake and rabbit sausage with various condiments and then enjoyed an enormous oreo rice krispies treat. So good!

Alex O’Brian, a Wekeela counselor in 2013 + 2014, has been coincidentally following us around the country. When we left Miami, he arrived. We left New Orleans on Sunday afternoon – he arrived that night. He messaged me when we were in Denver saying he would be here this weekend. We were finally able to meet up outside the Rockies game since we were so close and they allowed re-entry to the park. So good to see him finally!

Trivia at Annie’s was from 8-10 pm. Nicole Swartz arrived early and got us a table. We were the ATRED All Stars (#CWFBAG2010). HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TROPIN!!!!! (It’s midnight now). We didn’t win but most likely came in 4th. Our waiter Steve helped us out too. Really cool place with old lunch boxes and movie posters etc.

We left Annie’s after trivia and hung out at Tropin’s place. He showed us some random rapper videos. And then it was his birthday!! Tomorrow Alex and I are off to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and then Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. This week is our big week of camping. Let’s do it.

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