On a recent trip to Denver, my friends and I had the pleasure of having personal tour guides in longtime friend and Denver-area residents John Roelke and his family. John brought us to beautiful, historical and fun places while supplying a running commentary that would rival any professional tour guide.

Our first stop was Red Rocks Park. Known for the red sandstone throughout the mountain park, many of the rock formations have interesting names, such as “Seat of Pluto.” We did a good amount of hiking, but luckily there are many scenic areas to stop and rest.

One such area is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The open-air venue holds 9,250 people and boasts large rows and awesome sight lines. Performing here in 1964, The Beatles are probably the most famous of the hundreds of musical acts to take the stage.

John brought us to the Pearl Street Mall, a four-block outdoor row of shops in downtown Boulder. One shop was Hapa Sushi. On television in the 1970s it was The New York Delicatessen on Mork and Mindy.

A few blocks off of Pearl Street, John showed us the home used for exterior shots of Mork and Mindy’s home. The house is a private residence but is still a bit of a tourist stop.

John recommended Hacienda for our traditional last meal, and again he was on target! It had a lively atmosphere but quiet enough for us to talk. The food was fresh and flavorful, with big portions. The mango frozen margarita was especially refreshing after a day of hiking. I give Hacienda extra points for serving really good guacamole with their complimentary chips and salsa.

As the Chicago men flew home, we talked about how much we did while in Denver, yet it seemed relaxed. Having a personal local tour guide was the key. Now we need to find a tour guide friend in Seattle for The Boys of Summer 2019.

— John Wroblewski, online writer