FINALLY, Board Game Bike HAS COME BACK… to DENNN-verrr!

FINALLY!

Good news everyone - I got a game design job!  I’ve moved to Denver to work for Dire Wolf Digital, publishers of Clank!, Dune: Imperium, and quite possibly your favorite digital board game adaptation (they do a ton of those).  

I start tomorrow, and I’ve been spending some time trying to get to know the city while I look for an apartment from my Airbnb.  Here’s just some thoughts / impressions from the last few days.

I Missed My Bike

Riding around Denver has been the first real riding I’ve done in months.  After my trip, I took a LOT of time off.  I was broken down physically and mentally, and I needed some time to heal up and just rest. 

Reunited with my bike, I have that giddy feeling again - I’m smiling foolishly while biking along Denver’s beautiful bike trails, watching the waters of Cherry Creek flow by.  Denver is such a great biking city, and I didn’t even get the chance to really experience that during my stay here last August.  By the time I got to Denver on my trip last year, both my bike and I had been through a lot, so I left it at the shop for a few days to get some repairs. Meanwhile, I slept - a lot.  I’m so excited now to fully explore all of the trails and bike lanes that Denver has to offer (and also get back up into some of the mountain areas when it warms up a bit).

Cherry Creek rushing towards downtown.

Mile High Stadium Gives Me All the Feels

So I’m staying about a 5 minute walk from Mile High, and I’m amazed at how open and accessible the facility is.  I mean, I haven’t tried to go inside or anything, but there are walking/bike paths that literally encircle the stadium itself.  

I guess this is one of the benefits of having your stadium in a major city - it’s right there!  Gillette Stadium in Foxboro is nothing like this.  It’s too far away from any meaningful community center.  Nobody goes out for a walk and happens upon the House that Brady Built.  It’s all part of a massive mall complex called Patriot Place, which just serves to separate you from the football experience.

Growing up, Mile High had an immense reputation: teams came here to lose, and often lose badly.  Part of this was that the Elway Broncos were so damned good, and part of it was the mystique of the altitude.  I’m no fan of the Broncos, but I could feel the love of the game on these grounds.  Plus, it’s a fun place to go for a run!

Denver Weather Is Amazing

Sure, so, as I write this there are going to be multiple days next week that are in the low teens, BUT, I don’t care.  There is something about the sun up here that is just warmer.  Things easily feel at least ten degrees warmer than whatever the actual temperature is.  And just for context, most of the time in the winter it seems to hover in the 40s and 50s.  Is it Hermosa Beach?  No, but it sure as hell isn’t Rhode Island!

So much sun! But a little snow too.

I’m A Little Scared

Outside of college, all of my major moves in life have been to live with people who I knew well.  So while I’ve lived in a few places (RI, DC, NC, CA, and MA) I’ve always been going in with at least a bit of a support network.  

Obviously I’m ecstatic about starting my new job, and I’m also excited about the possibilities that this new city has to offer.  But, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was a little apprehensive about what this is going to be like - at least for a while.  I definitely have a bit of a loner streak in me (I mean, why else choose to ride a bike across the country by myself), so I wonder about how easy it’ll be to find a group here that I fit in with.

I even went so far as to try and watch some videos from people who have made major moves in their lives - but none of those really clicked with me. Suggestions welcome.

I Have Lots of Possibilities 

The city is filled with these incredible murals.

On the flipside, I’m all about finding ways to get involved here.  I’d love to take some classes or lessons on some things, specifically related to music, drawing and other artsy-type stuff.  I’d also be down to join some kind of running or (gasp) biking club to get to know the layout of the land with some experienced locals.  I started working out with my brother and his football friends before I left RI, so I’m also looking to join some kind of gym group or classes as a way to stay motivated.  I miss being in a tennis group!

So while I’m sure everything will work out in the long run, I am at the stage right now where I’m not even sure where to start.

I guess I’m off to google…everything?  Wish me luck!