#denverlodging

[hostelfish]

Fall is in the Air, and Oktoberfest Down the Block

Fall is in the air, and Oktoberfest is right down the block!  Enjoy a bratwurst with curry ketchup, while sipping German beer from a stein and tapping your feet to Polka music! That’s right, the annual Oktoberfest shindig that takes over several blocks in Lodo is back! 

In addition to the mouthwatering food, thirst-quenching beer, and lively music, there are also a variety of merchant tents and a stage devoted to fun Oktoberfest games and challenges. The stein holding challenge is a fun one to watch...Do you have what it takes to break the record and win a trip to Munich, Germany?? Also, it’s a great time to slip out of the city and into the mountains for some golden-leaf viewing. This is one of our favorite things about the changing seasons in Colorado! Don’t forget to bring along a jacket and some coffee or hot tea; the temperature it is a’changin! 

[hostelfish]

Ask any staff member at the front desk, or bar, for advice on where to venture around the city! We have a rad “Broke College Kids Guide” that will offer some great opportunities to save money, but still keep the party going! Another way to have a BIG night is to join our Pub Crawl, held weekly on Thursday nights from 8pm to...whenever! As part of our Pub Crawl, you will enjoy a complimentary drink at our bar- The Exchange Rate- as well as some other stellar deals we’ve cultivated at different bars around the neighborhood.  There’s no shortage of opportunity to have a blast, here at Hostel Fish! 

[hostelfish]

Traveling is the elixir of youth, medicine for the soul.

For all of the excitement and education that traveling is, it is also therapeutic. A man on the road reestablishes his childlike wonder for the world, and becomes more in tune with the Here and Now and Then and There. Time seems to slow, observations become more acute, decision-making more imperative, and things of a personal nature start to be analyzed. One becomes more knowledgeable about themselves, as well as the undercurrents of how they fit within the Whole. The road is a Mecca for the restless of soul, where the heartaches and sadness of life can be accepted and improved upon.

Recently at Hostel Fish, we had a guest named Chris, trail name: Dare Bear. Chris was a middle-aged man who had been plagued with misfortune for the last 7 years. He discussed how he’d been the primary, live-in caretaker for his father who’d suffered from severe Alzheimer’s, while also dealing with ailments of his own. According to Chris, he’d known the heart-pains of divorce, gone through extensive rehabilitation after having shoulder surgery and two knee-replacement surgeries, and survived a bout of cancer that claimed one kidney. He definitely did nothing to sugarcoat the fact that the pain, sadness, and frustration of the last few years had taken its toll. In the spirit of defiance, however, he exhibited an inspirational sense of optimism and genuine excitement for it all. He told me that he’d spent several months hiking the Appalachian Trail, and that the peaceful nature of such an undertaking had changed his life. “You’ve got to get your mind right,” as he says…It’s funny, because my father has always said the exact same phrase.

Traveling certainly has a way of power-washing our windows of perception. Dare Bear- who supposedly gained the nickname after charging a bear that was charging him- told me that, while on the trail, he took out all of those reasons in his life for sorrow, analyzed them, and one by one made his peace and tossed them away. “When you get your mind right, you don’t worry about the pain, or holding grudges. You’re reminded of the right way to be.” He and I discussed how life is chaos and cannot be controlled, and once you realize your inability to control everything in life, you can start to move forward with happiness.

Chris was en route to the West Coast to hike the Pacific Crest Trail- perhaps the most famous of the Mexico-Canada through-trails- when he had a mild heart attack. Afterwards, he decided to just kick it in Colorado for a while and climb some 14’ers while he rested and recovered. “There’s nothing better than being in the city, sipping a PBR, knowing that you’ll be camped out somewhere alone in the woods tomorrow.” After the PCT, he says Alaska is next.

The proverbial hat is tipped towards you, Dare Bear. Travel far, travel wide, make peace with that inside.

[hostelfish]

“Travel far, travel wide, and often in between.”

For many of us, traveling is an escape from the “real world.” A week long opportunity to break away from the pressures of work and home in order to relax, explore a new place, or to simply try and find a little peace of mind. You spend most of the time worrying about the money you’re spending (and where else it could be allocated) and trying to suppress that little gnawing feeling that the trip is slipping away like sand in an hourglass. In the United States, this constant grind- and feeling like you are wasting your time if you’re not constantly working- is all too prevalent. There are others of us, however, who consider traveling a way of life; something that is actively sought, and something that is considered to greatly increase our quality of life. We put hard work into our respective places of business, knowing that soon we can chase the things we love. We spend our money on people and experiences, and are happy to make certain sacrifices to continue doing so. To chase Life by seeing the world, meeting new people, and living as many unforgettable experiences as we can is paramount to our existence. 

Here at Hostel Fish, we believe traveling is an imperative form of education and that everyone should do it as often as possible. You only become a stronger and more open-minded individual by putting yourself in new situations.

[hostelfish]

“Do you have your place to stay in Denver lined up, yet?” -- “Heck yeah, man! We’re staying at Hostel Fish before heading  to shred the gnar.” 

[hostelfish]

“Sun, Sun, Sun, Here it Comes”

Thank gooooodness! I’m all for keeping snow on the ski slopes for day tripping, but I think Denverites are ready for rooftop biergartens and sunshine on the face and shoulders. It seems winter has been a bit more pesky and prolonged this year, nipping at our heels and spurring on a perpetual-passing-around of pharyngitis. Indeed, “I feel that ice is slowly melting…and it’s alright.” I know I’m ready for warm air in my lungs and hot dogs at Rockies games, blossoming trees, and clear and colorful hiking trails in the mountains...

[hostelfish]

The Logos of Hosteling

     Quite regularly I speak to people over the phone, or in the hostel bar, who are unaccustomed and apprehensive about the idea of hosteling. Major concerns always revolve around cleanliness, safety, and overall-comfortability. Unfortunately, for far too many people, the term “hostel” still conjures images of dank and dingy quarters, with shady people lurking all about. (Thanks Tarentino.) Despite these flawed preconceived notions, the secret is spreading, and the idea of hosteling (in the United States) is beginning to blossom.

     Americans, in particular, are majorly concerned with comfortability and safety; and yet, I find there is also a growing discontent with the hobbit-like status-quo. Prices of hotels these days are ridiculous! A quick Google search for “hotels in Denver” brings up several pages of regular hotels (Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, etc) that are all well over $100. The most common pricing seems to fluctuate within the $130-$300 range.…! (This is all for one night of holed-away sleep, mind you, and perhaps some coffee and a bland continental breakfast.) Unless you’re just very well to do (pinky out) and don’t care, this is significant for a traveler, and it adds up quickly. Considerably lower hotel pricing ($80-$120) can be found, though generally in less desirable locations. (Think quiet and secluded suburbs, and extremely average rooms…and that’s still considerable.) I understand the idea of springing for a hotel room if you’re toting a family around, but for someone who is traveling alone or with a couple of friends, I can’t imagine the reasoning behind spending so much money per night simply to sleep, especially when there are undeniably better options out there.

     Next time you find yourself exploring a new city and need a place to stay, search for “hostels” instead of “hotels”; the results may surprise you. I have stayed in hostels all across Canada, Europe, Alaska, and along the Eastern and Western coasts of the United States, and have overwhelmingly had great experiences. In general, they tend to be much more affordable, boast excellent proximities to attractions and nightlife, and have a convivial social atmosphere that I’ve found to be only be trip-enriching. For significantly less money, if you’re willing to simply sleep in the same room as a few other people, you most likely will find yourself having a better overall experience. Hostels are the crossroads for world-travelers, and one never knows who they will meet and form a friendship with.

Hostels are advantageous for travelers in a variety of ways, and an imperative trick to the trade of traveling. What’s not to explore?

(To Be Continued…)

[hostelfish]

Innovation Never Rests, Even for the Best...

Many times I’ve heard people talk about how Hostel Fish is their very first hosteling experience. They tend to be extremely impressed by the whole idea, and happy to spend significantly less money to be in such a cool location. It’s not uncommon for the traveler they’re talking to says something along the lines of “well, you might be ruined for future ones. They’re not all like this…” 

Indeed, we strive to maximize the guest experience in many ways. Our mattresses are top of the line and extremely comfortable, and guests are happy to arrive to an already-made bed. We clean the bathrooms multiple times daily, as well as all other common spaces. Other special amenities include a balcony on the second level of the building, a full-service bar, restaurant and music venue in the same building, and several guest activities throughout the week, including pub crawls and an open mic.

The cool thing is that we’re only getting more and more refined- all in the name of enhancing guest experience. Soon, we’ll have premium bunks installed in all dorms that are adorned with lamps, electrical sockets, a small fan, and draw curtains. Privacy is sweet, right? Furthermore, we’ve recently re-insulated the floors and walls to help with climate efficiency and noise pollution. Better sleep, anyone? There are plenty more awesome ideas in the works…

Stay hooked on Hostel Fish.

[hostelfish]

Hoorah for snow! Let’s go skiing! 

[hostelfish]

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that ***damn mountain.

Jack Kerouac

[hostelfish]

Peak to Bleak

I just bought kitty litter.

And no, it’s not because I have a cat, nor (unfortunately) is the hostel getting a cat. I bought kitty litter because two good-Samaritans just heaved and hoed for about 45 minutes to help get my car out of a ditch. It was an unfortunate situation, for sure. There I was, high up on the Peak to Peak road in the dark, with the snow cascading down in thick and heavy fluffs. The wind was whipping, the snow was sticking fast, and with every attempt at correction, my car was sliding further and further away from where I needed it to be.

My original plan had been to park at the Sourdough Trailhead overnight, then get up early for a long snowshoeing hike. I’m no stranger to sleeping in the car, but the sudden onslaught of snow had made me think better of sleeping way up on the mountain. To tell the truth, I’d already been stalled once in the Sourdough parking lot, which hadn’t been completely plowed. I was able to dig myself out, easily enough, however. Nevertheless, the last thing I wanted was to be snowed in.

While on the way back down to Nederland, I decided to use one of the pull-offs, momentarily. It was a wide pull-off and the snow looked shallow, yet as soon as my right-side tires met the edge of the asphalt, they sunk. I realized this instantly, but could not maintain the momentum to come back out of it. With every attempt to recover, backwards or forwards, the front of my car slipped further down the (very) slight decline. The main problem was a 2-inch lip of asphalt that the tires couldn’t gain enough traction to overcome. Unlike the brief situation in the Sourdough parking lot, I could tell this might just pose a real problem. Thankfully, this was all taking place on the main road that connects the small and eclectic mountain towns of Nederland and Ward. It wasn’t all that long before a passing car took notice of my predicament and offered to help. He was a light hearted, middle-aged man named Ron, and he was adamant about helping. Despite his straining and shouldering, and me rocking the engine, we made no progress. After several attempts and about 15 minutes, he was close to throwing in the towel. I didn’t blame him. This was my burden, and I felt embarrassed having him help, with the weather as it was. He started walking back to his car and I got back to work, scraping out ruts with a ski pole. I noticed another car drive by slowly and a man lean out to talk with him. A few moments later they were both walking back my way.

Long story short; we slipped and strained, and dug in and heaved all the more. Progress was slow and frustrating. Every time we thought we had it over the lip, it stubbornly resisted. At one point, a car barreled by and sent an extra whirl of wind and snow our way. Ron said, “I thought it was mandatory to stop on the Peak to Peak...this guy…” With one more person pushing, we most likely would have had it with just one more go. Nevertheless, we persevered. I was straining with all my might and will power. Finally, having progressively inched into the best possible position, and with floor mats under the tires for extra traction, we were able to will the car over the edge and fully back onto the road. I was breathing heavily, my hands were numb, and my sweater sleeves were soaked. I thanked them profusely, and offered bottles of whiskey as tokens of appreciation. “Ah, man. I just hope you stop next time you see someone stuck and pay it forward.” I certainly will.

               Despite venturing to, and driving in, the mountains my entire life, it seems I still have some things to learn. Namely, I’ve learned to be weary of using shoulders and pull-offs while snow is on the ground, for they can be deceiving. Any sort of decline will be accentuated with snow and ice. Unless you are certain about the area you are pulling over to, and absolutely need to, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid stopping. Furthermore, I learned a valuable lesson in mountain ethics. If someone appears to be in need of assistance, investigate the scene and lend a helping hand if you can. You never know when you might need the same.

All in all, there’s nothing more important than to adhere to that famous ole Boy Scout slogan of “Be Prepared.” I was prepared, as far as clothes and blankets go. I even had a small heater and some canned food. I was, however, lacking in resources to help me get unstuck. When going on excursions into the mountains, especially during this time of season, it is imperative to be prepared for anything. I would advisegathering some provisions, just in case. Include: Extra warm clothing/blankets, flashlights, kitty litter, a small shovel, food, water, aaaaaaaand…a tow strap! I keep a medium sized box in my car with all of these items now, just in case. Don’t let the snow keep you from having an awesome, mountainous adventure, just understand that it has inherent risks and prepare accordingly.

[hostelfish]

January 3rd, 2019

Tonight was a busy night at Hostel Fish! 

There were lots of check-ins and calls throughout the night, and our guest Happy Hour was very popular. A couple of months ago, we enacted a guest Happy Hour that occurs daily from 7pm-8pm, and includes 2 free drinks for all Hostel guests! Take advantage, Fishes. There were also several people picking up or dropping off luggage with us as part of our BagBnB service. Ever been traveling and wish you could ditch your luggage for awhile? There’s nothing more freeing. I’m a big fan of the idea.  In other cool news:  I had some good conversation with a gentleman from Argentina. I would speak to him in Spanish, and he would respond in English, so it was great practice for each of us. We spoke of his vacation in Mexico, which was particularly interesting to me since I’m journeying there in February. He also showed me his small town in Argentina. The name escapes me, unfortunately, but it was ridiculously picturesque, nestled beautifully in the Andes near the Chilean border.  There was a good amount of diversity, as far as country/state representation goes, tonight. There were guests hanging out and buying drinks for each other from Australia, China, Germany, Canada (Quebec), Argentina, California, New York, Michigan, Texas. This is what I mean when I call Hostel Fish a crossroads of the world.  All in all, it was a fun night at Hostel Fish! Wish you were here? 

[hostelfish]

Happy New Year!

Thank you to all of the wonderful friends, guests, locals, and regulars who made your way to Hostel Fish last night for our New Years Eve festivities.  There were balloons and confetti, champagne, snacks, impromptu pong games...it was truly a fun night!  Cheers! 

[hostelfish]

Lodo Doing what Lodo Does Best!

Whew! What a busy and eventful weekend, here at Hostel Fish! Oktoberfest took over Larimer St. with beers, brauts, lederhosen, kraut and Polka music, while the Rockies pursued valiantly their playoff berth, and the Broncos had a showdown of their own. There was a lot of energy swirling around Lodo, and it was quite fun, indeed! Hope everyone had a great weekend, and thanks to everyone who hung out at The Exchange Rate at Hostel Fish!

[hostelfish]

What a great night at Hostel Fish!

Andrew told me that on the weekends, the bar has been fairly easy-going until 10:30pm, or so, then it explodes until the end of the night. I was prepared for that, and was able to get everything restocked for you fine and thirsty folks, beforehand. Sure enough, people arrived in droves around 10pm, and it stayed that way for the rest of the night. It was a high-volume/quick-turnover type of night, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Speaking of spirits, Absinthe was a fiery selection, and our new Suerte tequila proved to be a crowd favorite.

A couple of cool moments:

--I’ve been trying to get Paxton to show off her rad piano skills, being a music-business major, and all. She’s been coy about it, though, so at one point when it was just us two and another person in the room I said “alright, alright, how about this: if I get the ring on the hook in the first 3 attempts, you give us 5 minutes.” As I lined up, she said “If you get it on the first try, I’m out of here.” Sure enough, I landed the ring on the hook the first try and she bolted out of the room without saying anything. It was all humorous.

--Bijon, a warm and friendly guest of ours, showed me a picture he’d taken from the balcony. It was of me crouching down in the parking lot below, at the time I was taking a group-picture for a few ladies who were going into Ophelia’s. Without any other context, me just crouching down in the middle of a parking lot looked rather silly…

--It was a very pleasant surprise to see Nic and Mary, who are both awesome past Hostel employees. They both have some exciting opportunities ahead of them, and we love when Fishes past-and-present come to chill at our Lodo-oasis.

--At that denouement-time of a busy night, when the bar has been mostly cleaned and the music is winding down and people are reminded to start making moves, there was one special moment between myself, a friend, and a couple of guests. I’d shut the music off already and brought my guitar down for my friend to pick around on while I continued to clean. At one point, I walked over to the piano just to see what happened. I don’t play piano (at all) but I asked David the chords, and was able to find the right notes and a few riffs to go back and forth from that fit perfectly. Our hostel guest kept the beat nicely on one of our wooden side tables, and another guest joined in with a little impromptu scat. It was one of those cool, serendipitous, special moments that seem to happen around here often.

Overall, it was a damn good weekend. Cheers, all!

[hostelfish]

Then Came Spring...

“Then came Spring, the great time of traveling, and everybody in the scattered gang was getting ready to take one trip or another.” On the Road, Jack Kerouac.

Spring has sprung in Denver! The dogwoods and the cherry blossoms are a’bloom, the sun is shining hot, and lots of people are out riding bikes and jogging. Biergartens are hoppin’, blessed-sundresses are back in season (as are the Rockies) and both Lodo and Hostel Fish have seen dramatic increases in energy. Indeed, as the snow recedes from the high peaks, winter seems but a dream, here in the city

Spring certainly is the great time of traveling. With longer days and warmer temperatures, you feel the urge to shake off that winter lethargy and spread your wings. In whatever capacity it can get away with, Adventure beckons, the mountains call, and we all find ourselves planning one trip or another. Brad and Tara have already crashed the London and Berlin party; Andrew enjoyed a month-long sojourn of the American West with his two best friends from Switzerland; Derek went on his annual Asian motorcycle trip (this time to Taiwan); Paxton went to Wisconsin and ate a lot of cheese; and I, myself, am planning a European backpacking tour with my two little brothers. Eight countries, one full month…oh to shatter the current world-views of little brothers and introduce The World…

Yes, Spring-time is the time to get on the road and manifest those dreams that society loves to squash; to silence that not-so-soft voice that screams “it’s too expensive,” or “I can’t find the time,” or “one of these days.” Traveling is so much easier to make happen (and fulfilling) than people want to allow themselves to think.

If the fix for your Spring time travel-bug happens to find you here at one of the crossroads of the world, Hostel Fish, either as a guest in the hostel or a patron at the bar, rest assured we’ll do all we can to water those seeds that are your future travel dreams. ;)

Travel far, travel wide,

Cheers.