DrupalCon Denver Florida Roll Call!

Posted by mherchel on February 29, 2012 at 9:56pm

Its officially the end of February, which means that Drupalcon Denver is less than three weeks out!

So, this brings up a couple (fun) questions:

Who is making the trip out west?
Do we want to do a Denver Steakhouse for the Florida people like we did last year in Chicago?
Is anyone going on the official Drupalcon Ski & Board Trip?
Is this anyone's first time to a Drupalcon?
Anyone familiar with the Denver area and is willing to give tips?

Here’s a couple links

Comments

in

Posted by ultimike on March 1, 2012 at 1:22pm

Mike,

I'm in.

I'm thinking Tuesday or Thursday evening (before the parties), would be the best options (for me at least). I've got some friends in Denver, I'll check with them for some fun recommendations and report back.

Thanks,
-mike

Colorado tips

Posted by ehill on March 1, 2012 at 3:17pm

Most important ! Be prepared for cold weather. Could be below freezing. Could be snowing. Bring a warm jacket, hat/cap, gloves, shoes that will not slip and slide on icey sidewalks. FYI - the weather could be really nice ("sweater weather"). Just be prepared for cold.

If you rent a car, choice someone with experience of driving on icey roads as your designated driver. You will want an ice scraper for the windows. Hopefully the car rental place will give you one.

Humidity - and the lack thereof - Denver is dry - high desert. You will want some kind of lip balm with you. Also hand cream if you get dry hands.

If you are into model trains, Denver is supposed to have one of the biggest model train stores in the country.

Denver is in the flat high plains area at the foot of the Rockie Mountains, not in the actual mountain chain itself.

My favorite places to visit-
1. Cripple Creek gold mining town turned into tourist area. (in the mountains)
2. Garden of the Gods - Red rocks formations in Colorado Springs (1+ hr south of Denver).
3. Ski resorts if you are into that. Otherwise avoid. Expensive resort prices.
4. Rocky Mountain National Park
5. Pikes Peak and the cog railway that goes up the mountain. Entrance is near Colorado Springs.
6. If you are into trains, Colorado has some of the best tourist train rides and train museums.

Denver is an major city with all the usual major city stuff - concerts, museums, malls, etc.

Usually clear skies. Amazing blue. Take a moment to look at the stars.

FYI - When I first moved to Colorado, I had a mild headache for a week due to the altitude change (sea level to 5000+ feet). If you get a bad headache though, take it seriously. Could be attitude sickness. Especially if you go into the mountains (peaks are 12-14K in altitude).

Take it easy on any physical activity. The lower oxygen level is noticeable.

FYI - On returning to Florida, Florida's humidity will hit you in the face like a wet blanket.

I can't commit to anything

Posted by caelon on March 2, 2012 at 3:47am

I can't commit to anything yet as my family will be going with me but I'm open to it.

Don VanDemark
Agile Process Manager, Blue Shield of California

I will be available.

Posted by oystercrackher on March 2, 2012 at 6:03am

I will be available. Tues or Thursday works for me as well.

Melissa

I'll be there. Tues or Thurs

Posted by DigitalFrontier... on March 5, 2012 at 3:56pm

I'll be there. Tues or Thurs works for me, too.

--
Digital Frontiers Media

Erik and I will be in Denver

Posted by JCL324 on March 5, 2012 at 4:04pm

Erik and I will be in Denver Sun-Fri, then Breckenridge for the weekend. I vote for Thurs., be a nice "decompress" after the conference.

JCL

I'm thinking Thursday also.

Posted by mherchel on March 5, 2012 at 4:19pm

I'm thinking Thursday also. My motivation is that we'll already have free food at the official Drupalcon party on Tuesday night :) and I need to ration my $$!

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

Wow less than 2 weeks !!!

Posted by joemoraca on March 5, 2012 at 4:21pm

I am good with either day but I can vote for Thursday to pick one.

Joe Moraca
WebDevGeeks.com

I will be there and I'm down

Posted by kevishie on March 5, 2012 at 10:44pm

I will be there and I'm down to go grab something to eat..

--Kevin

Plane Tickets

Posted by Albert Volkman on March 8, 2012 at 3:27pm

I just found that I'm going to be able to go, but the plane tickets are ridiculous at this point. Anyone have some awesome cheap ticket hookups?

Plane tickets for Denver

Posted by iribarne on March 9, 2012 at 12:57am

Try Southwest. I just purchased my flight to Denver this past Tuesday, and I paid just over $700 from Fort Lauderdale. I know that is not cheap, but we are inside the two week window. Plus, I think the airlines have raised their prices in the last month due to fuel prices.

Thursday consensus

Posted by iribarne on March 9, 2012 at 1:02am

Most people are voting for Thursday. Count me in.

Maybe with all of us Florida

Posted by bhosmer on March 9, 2012 at 10:00am

Maybe with all of us Florida guys arriving, the temperature won't be so bad. I'm in as well.

Thursday it is... but where?

Posted by mherchel on March 11, 2012 at 5:46pm

Ok, so lets call it Thursday. But where does everyone want to go?

I know Mike Anello said he had a suggestion.

If not, a quick Google search led me to http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/food/articles/steak-paradise

This article suggests The Buckhorn Exchange. From the article:

The Buckhorn Exchange is Denver's oldest restaurant. Its founder, "Shorty" Zietz, hunted with Teddy Roosevelt and lived with Sitting Bull before he founded The Buckhorn Exchange in 1893. While others were traveling west to find gold, Shorty aimed to strike it rich in the restaurant business. If you've got a hankering for something unique, The Buckhorn Exchange offers elk, buffalo, yak and ostrich steaks. When you're ordering your appetizer, don't forget to sample the bull testicles -- they're a house favorite.

This restaurant is 1.3 miles away from the Colorado Convention Center. According to Google, its only 10 minutes away via light rail.

Another option is Morton's Steakhouse Denver. This is a famous steakhouse with many locations across the US. This is one mile away from the convention center and a 19 minute walk (10 minute mass transit).

Does anyone else have any suggestions? I'm open to anything. The restaurants above are just suggestions.

Damn... I'm getting hungry >:()

Only local images are allowed.

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

Just found this link

Posted by mherchel on March 11, 2012 at 5:54pm

I just found this link. More ideas for restaurants:

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/10-steakhouses-denver-20484.html

Ted's Montana Grill

This well-known Denver restaurant was founded by media mogul Ted Turner. While people don't often use the words "steak house" and "eco-friendly" in the same sentence, the restaurant prints its menus on recycled paper and has a goal of becoming 99-percent plastic-free. The restaurant offers a variety of made-from-scratch entrees, which include premium beef and National Bison Association-certified bison. It is also famous for its creative burgers, which come in variations such as blue cheese and jalapeno. Prices are moderate. Ted's Montana Grill 1401 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80202-1704 303-893-0654 tedsmontanagrill.com

Elway's

Founded by former Bronco's quarterback John Elway, this restaurant is famous for its USDA hand-cut steaks as well as its popular raw-food bar. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Given its location in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, it is pricey and formal. Elway's 1881 Curtis St. Denver, CO 80202-1902 303-312-3107 elways.com

Capital Grille

This popular dining venue is known for its large, dry-aged steaks, which are paired with an extensive wine list. Some people simply enjoy its unique Art Deco decor. This upscale restaurant is located in Denver's historic Larimer Square. Capital Grille 1450 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80202 303-539-2500 thecapitalgrille.com

Emil-Lene's Sirloin House

Not all of Denver's steak houses are formal and upscale. This unpretentious local favorite has been open for over 44 years and boasts enormous, juicy burgers, 12-oz. sirloin strips, tasty fillets and 24-oz. T-bone steaks. Emil-Lene's Sirloin House 16000 E. Smith Rd. Aurora, CO 80011 303-366-6674 sirloinhouse.com

The Brokers Restaurant

Dry-aged prime cut beef served in Victorian elegance make this a popular restaurant for visitors to Denver. It also features Murder Mystery Nights. The Brokers Restaurant 821 17th St. Denver, CO 80202-3040 303-292-5065

The Keg Steak House & Bar

This is one of Denver's more casual and affordable restaurants, and the friendly waitstaff is quite knowledgeable about the food, which adds to its popularity. The Keg Steak House & Bar 1890 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80202 303-296-0023 kegsteakhouse.com

The Buckhorn Exchange

This is an excellent choice if you are interested in visiting a museum as well as eating at a steakhouse. Its hunting-lodge decor features artifacts from Denver's cowboy days, and the restaurant specializes in steak, elk, quail and salmon. The Buckhorn Exchange 100 Osage St. Denver, CO 80204 303-534-9505

Sullivan's Steakhouse

This is another place where a friendly, knowledgeable staff complements a solid menu. The waitstaff will ask you about your taste preferences and make entree suggestions based on your answers. The bone-in Cowboy Ribeye is one popular specialty. Sullivan's Steakhouse 1745 Wazee St. Denver, CO 80202 303-295-2664 sullivansteakhouse.com

1515 Market Grill

Romantic lighting, enticing pairings of entrees and side dishes make this a favorite for locals and visitors. The restaurant specializes in using locally grown ingredients. The nightly jazz and blues adds to the ambiance. 1515 Market Grill 1515 Market St. Denver, CO 80202 303-571-0011 1515restaurant.com

Denver Chophouse and Brewery

This traditional, upscale restaurant is located in the historic Union Pacific Railway building. It's known for its porterhouse steaks, extensive wine menu, and fine selection of bourbons and single malt scotches. Denver Chophouse and brewery 1735 19th St. Denver, CO 80202 303-296-0800 chophouse.com

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

Wednesday Night Party

Posted by mherchel on March 12, 2012 at 12:40am

There's a free Wednesday Night Drupalcon Happy Hour. Its free, and I just registered (free beer yay!).

Details at http://drupalcon2012.eventbrite.com/

Free Beer! I'm in!

Posted by rols on March 12, 2012 at 2:55pm

Free Beer! I'm in!

Thursday

Posted by ultimike on March 12, 2012 at 10:51am

Mike,

Sorry I didn't get back to you, for some reason I thought I did...

Anyway, my Denver contact says The Buckhead is the place to go - at least that's my vote.

Thanks,
-mike

I'm assuming you mean the

Posted by mherchel on March 12, 2012 at 3:08pm

I'm assuming you mean the Buckhorn. Anyway, that was my first choice and sounds awesome to me.

I'm started to get excited!

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

Actually, it was the Happy

Posted by rols on March 12, 2012 at 3:26pm

Actually, it was the Happy Hour @ Earl's that I registered for. See you there!

horn

Posted by ultimike on March 12, 2012 at 3:31pm

Ah yes - the Buckhorn. My bad.

Thanks,
-mike

OK. So, Thursday it is at a

Posted by mherchel on March 15, 2012 at 4:40pm

OK. So, Thursday it is at a The Buckhorn Exchange!

Last year we (the Florida people) coordinated social activities with using the twitter hashtag #fldrupal. Is everyone good with continuing to coordinate that way?

I know I'll be wanting to go out to grab food and drink on Monday evening, and we can also coordinate getting to the Wednesday night free happy hour, etc.

I'm excited!

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

+1 to Mike Herchel for doing

Posted by bhosmer on March 16, 2012 at 12:08am

+1 to Mike Herchel for doing this.

+1 to Ben Hosmer for giving

Posted by JCL324 on March 16, 2012 at 12:14am

+1 to Ben Hosmer for giving Mike Herchel a +1 :-)

JCL

Thanks :) I just gave each of

Posted by mherchel on March 16, 2012 at 12:18pm

Thanks :)

I just gave each of you a +1 vote (what does that do??).

Anyway, I made a reservation for 10 people for Thursday 7pm. We can add/remove or reschedule as needed as it approaches.

Thanks,

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

#fldrupal

Posted by ultimike on March 15, 2012 at 6:01pm

Mike,

Thanks for getting this all organized. Let's continue using #fldrupal!

Thanks,
-mike

John & Erik

Posted by JCL324 on March 16, 2012 at 10:21pm

Mike H.

Do just to confirm, Erik and I are planning to join in at Buckhorn (quail and elk!) assuming we don't spend all our money before that and still have some left for Breckenridge :-)

JCL

Sounds good. I don't have a

Posted by mherchel on March 16, 2012 at 10:37pm

Sounds good. I don't have a headcount yet... I just estimated 10 people.

I figure we can finalize the count via #fldrupal on Wed or so.

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

See you there!

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

Hey Pjindent- Reservation is

Posted by mherchel on March 22, 2012 at 10:45pm

Hey Pjindent-

Reservation is updated to between 14 and 17 people at 7pm. Note that we'll be upstairs, and upstairs is not handicap accessible. Please let me know ASAP if this isn't alright.

See you there!

http://herchel.com | @mikeherchel on twitter

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