On Tuesday for the first time ever I took the light rail to a meeting.  When I found out that my meeting was going to be at Colorado and I-25 I decided to take the light rail instead of dealing with the traffic nightmare that is Colorado Boulevard.  I am lucky at my work to get an Eco-Pass as a benefit so that made the decision even easier.

A really cool part of the process was that now on Google Maps you can select directions for either driving or using public transit.  I was amazed at how easy and stress free it was.  I just went down to the 16th & Stout light rail station and took the F line to my meeting.  My return trip was just as simple.  I will certainly be doing this whenever possible in the future.  This also gets me very excited about eventually being able to take a train back and forth to DIA. 

On Wednesday my office organized a walking tour and happy hour to wind up the day.  We made our way down the 16th St. Mall to the Millennium Bridge.  From there we crossed over it and the next two bridges into the Highland neighborhood and ended our walk at Vita Restaurant  - 1575 Boulder St. -which is right next to LoLa which I posted about on April 9th.

I had never actually crossed all three of the bridges at once so it was a lot of fun.  Although it was a bit nerve racking crossing the Highland Pedestrian Bridge with all of the I-25 traffic below me.  What is interesting to me is how critical each bridge was in overcoming an obstacle.

The Millennium Bridge allows pedestrians to cross the main line railroad tracks, the next bridge gets people over the Platte River and the Highland Bridge completes the much needed pedestrian connection over I-25.  Not only are these bridges very functional they are also aesthetically complimentary to one another and provide visual interest (along with great views) from a number of different vantage points.  Signs of gentrification were already evident in the Highland neighborhood but with the newest pedestrian bridge open it will speed up the transformation and bring many more new residents to this part of Downtown Denver.

Vita is a lot of fun.  They have a rooftop patio and bar where we sat and shared appetizers while enjoying cocktails.  For a restaurant the views of the skyline are hard to beat.  I enjoyed everything I tried but especially liked the risotto fritters and their ahi tuna.

Shortly after my initial post about the new “Green” taxis put into service by Metro Taxi, I finally saw one in action when I had my camera. We were just about to curve around Civic Center Park when I took these.

Up until now I always saw them but could never get a decent shot or did not have my camera. I think these new hybrid taxis are very cool and cannot wait to see more and more of them on the streets of Downtown. When the Democratic National Convention comes next year this will be a great since it is supposed to be the greenest Convention in history. Cool.

This morning I had the pleasure of riding in one of Metro Taxi’s new “Green” taxis. It was totally awesome!! I have never rode in such a nice cab or had such a pleasurable experience riding in taxi my entire life in Denver! (sorry about the picture - I did not have my camera with me!)

It was so clean, cool (literally!) and quiet. Metro Taxi started with five of these new cabs which are actually Toyota Priuses. Recently they announced they were adding five more. By 2010 they intend to replace all of their Crown Victorias, 500 of them, with Priuses. You can find out more at the Greenprint Denver website under “Community News”. You can also call Metro Taxi at 303-333-3333.