DAY 10: Eurolanche on Tour XVI
A daily recap of the Eurolanche members' trip, including the best photos of the day.As I begin writing this article, three months have already passed since the start of Eurolanche on Tour XVI. The sixteenth trip by the world’s largest Colorado Avalanche Fan Club, Eurolanche, took place from January 2 to 24, 2026 (and perhaps even longer—you’ll see).
In the past, it was always my rule to provide daily updates during trips to the U.S., featuring dozens or even more than 100 photos from each day. This time, I decided to do things differently. On my last trip as the organizer, I didn’t want to be running around like I had all those years before, when I had to update and post everything late at night or early the next morning. The second reason for the delayed reporting was the security measures, which were tightening on both sides of the ocean.
That’s why all of this finally begins on April 3, 2026—exactly three months from the day when I would normally have published the first notes and photos from the arrival in the U.S.
What follows is an expanded diary featuring a selection of the best photos from each day, which will be updated day by day, as if we were back in January.
In addition to this article, more will be added gradually, chronicling Eurolanche on Tour XVI, which was attended by Tomáš (for the third time), Robert (for the second time), and Eliška (for the first time), in addition to myself.
Let’s get started!
- Photo gallery: Solo leg (02/01-08/01)
- Photo gallery: 1st leg
DAY 10 - 01/11 - HISTORY, PURE HISTORY
This day was dedicated to exploring one of the most significant pillars of Colorado’s history—the world of mining. The mines and the associated extraction of gold, silver, and other raw materials are what made Colorado famous in the 19th century. For some, the mines became a means of amassing wealth that secured their families for generations to come. For many, they were a disappointment and grueling hard labor. Across the state, there are thousands of small shafts and mine shafts that today pose a risk to inattentive tourists. As we will see later, the body of a murdered Czechoslovak professor was likely hidden in one of them...
This was a special day that called for a special approach. We left the hotel in the morning and headed to Colorado Springs, from where we set off on a mountain road. We could have easily reached our destination by a completely different route, but we deliberately chose this one. We took Gold Camp Rd, which winds through a dense forest. No asphalt. Rocks, but mostly snow. If we didn’t have four-wheel drive, we wouldn’t have been able to go any further.
At the start of the ride, we saw a few daredevils—some on mountain bikes—but then we were on our own. Just us and the dense forest all around, snow everywhere, and incredible views. I had never experienced anything like this in Colorado before. It wasn’t until later that another car caught up with us, and we stayed close behind it, just in case something happened. Along the way, we stopped at Helena Hunt Falls, named after the American activist and poet.
After nearly two hours of driving—which I definitely don’t recommend for inexperienced drivers—we stopped at our first destination: the village of Goldfield. Once a famous mining town, today it’s a place with a population of up to 160 people and plenty of dilapidated houses. It’s a place dominated by a large mine shaft, which we visited.
It was a glimpse into another world. It exuded both history and decay. Some of the scenes looked as if they had been plucked straight out of an American movie.
Right next door is the town of Victor, with over 360 residents. It actually looks like a small town. There are several brick buildings and beautiful architecture. This is the Wild West—once an important place, now offering plenty of events and activities, especially in the summer. Now, in winter, everything was closed. It was quiet, with the occasional sighting of someone—or something, like the deer living right behind one of the houses. The local pub-restaurant was open. We enjoyed some American food.
A few minutes further on is Cripple Creek. It’s the best-known of the three. It has a population of over a thousand. Back home, it would be a small village; in Colorado, it’s a town with larger houses, a bustling main street, museums, and plenty of interesting festivals. Every year, it hosts a festival in honor of donkeys, which have become a symbol of support for miners.
Goldfield-Victor-Cripple Creek. Three beautiful places. A rich history surrounded us at every turn. The world of mining and the Wild West. This, too, is part of the state of Colorado. A big bonus was the journey there and back—we didn’t go through the forest this time, but took the regular route, and yet we still came across unassuming little villages that hid million-dollar cabins deep in the mountains. Around every corner was a different world.
This day-long trip yielded several beautiful photos, which you can find in the updated photo gallery... We spent the evening bowling.
DAY 9 - 01/10 - IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DINOSAURS AND BISON
After the heavy snowfall the previous day, there was no trace of the storm. The snow began to melt, but more importantly, the temperatures started to rise. It was back to good old Colorado, full of sunshine and not a cloud in sight.
In the morning, we went to the nearby town of Morrison, specifically to the Dinosaur Ridge. It’s a small building, not a large exhibition, but even there we found one major rarity—the femur of a Camarasaurus, a dinosaur that lived more than 150 million years ago. We could touch the bone with two fingers.
From the museum, which also serves as a research center, we walked along the tour route—literally in the footsteps of dinosaurs. We saw them in the rocks, eternal imprints tens of millions of years old. It’s hard to really grasp history visualized like that... Too bad I didn’t find the documentary about dinosaurs on Netflix until later.
It took us about half an hour to walk this trail, part of which was uphill. We were rewarded with views of the surrounding countryside and, later, a direct view of the Red Rocks Amphitheater. I welcomed the chance to explore the area this way, rather than rushing through it as usual. The weather was absolutely perfect.
Since we were already near the amphitheater, we went there too, just like on every Tour. We took in more views of this unique spot, where bands perform during the spring and summer. In the winter, it’s visited by tourists and athletes, for whom the stairs are a great challenge to push their limits. We also visited the adjacent, renovated museum, where they’ve recently opened a restaurant.
A few minutes’ drive further on, we arrived at a spot I’d driven past countless times over the years, but had somehow always managed to overlook. Specifically, it was the Buffalo Herd Overlook—a place where you can see bison. It’s not a reservation, but a fenced-in area where you can just stop by and watch them.
It was truly another wonderful experience that, in addition to these impressive animals—of which tens of millions once roamed the U.S., but which humans nearly drove to extinction—also offered beautiful views of the surrounding area, a sight that has become routine for locals driving along this highway. Lookout Mountain also offered great views; it is the final resting place of the Wild West legend, Buffalo Bill. We didn’t have time to visit the museum dedicated to his memory (I’ve been there twice already, haha).
We didn’t have much time to spare, since the Avalanche’s second game against the Blue Jackets was already scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time. We managed to take some photos in front of Ball Arena, meet up with Eurolanche friends—both new and longtime—during the intermissions, and thank them for their support and for sticking with us through these tough times... I’ve always appreciated their support and interest in the project. Today, however, it’s not just hockey that unites us, but also the fight for shared values. I’m glad they are who they are!
The Avs ended up winning 4-0. We were thrilled with our second win in a row. After the game, we accepted an invitation to dinner at Nancy and Jeff’s place—two wonderful people. Thank you!
DAY 8 - 01/09 - SHOPPING, DENVER AND MORE HOCKEY
With the rest of the expedition, winter weather arrived in Colorado. On the first day of the main part of the trip, we woke up to a snowy morning. It had snowed heavily during the night, but what were we to wonder in January... The short sleeves from the previous days were over for me.
The first part of the day was spent shopping for hockey memorabilia and apparel. We visited three classic stops, including the team's Altitude Authentics in Ball Arena, where I also shopped for those Eurolanche members who expressed interest. It was chaotic, but in the end I managed to find almost everything. I only managed to snag a few pieces for myself, as I've had my share of things over the years.
I'm glad that Bill's Sports Collectibles, a store for collectors of all the major sports, has been around for all this time, but also that you can still eat well at Brooklyn's right next to the hall. Bill's still has a book about Eurolanche, which I hid in the Avalanche yearbook collection, almost 10 years later. No one has put a price tag on it to this day.
After shopping, we walked around downtown Denver, especially along 16th Street. We started at Union Station, continued to the underground bus station, where we came for the first time on the Tour, and also saw the Millennium Bridge for the first time. A bridge like a bridge... We were expecting a bridge, but it was only a short, artistic overpass. From there, we went deeper into the center, where we bought more souvenirs.
From downtown, we went to Walmart to buy food and drinks. We were interested in products that are not normally available in Europe, such as chicken broth in a paper box, similar to milk.
Next we moved about an hour north of Denver, to the city of Loveland. Just before it, we stopped at Buc-ee's, which is probably the largest gas station in the world - not only in terms of the number of stands, but also in terms of the assortment. Its entire space resembles a large hypermarket. An endless amount of souvenirs, clothes, but especially various types of food. A visit to it is always a cultural experience.
Finally, we arrived at Loveland. Another hockey game awaited us there, this time at the AHL level, when the Colorado Eagles and San Diego Gulls competed. The home team lost 4:5 after an unlucky performance and wasted chances. We saw Ivan Ivan, Maroš Jedlička and Taylor Makar in action. We were sitting in the second row in the corner, which almost became fatal for us. Eliška was hit in the finger by a rebounded puck, which swelled her up and hurt her for days. The puck was caught by Tomáš after it bounced off her, and like a true gentleman, he gave it to her.
DAY 7 - 01/08 - CATTLE IN DENVER AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE CREW
I spent the morning in downtown Denver. After many years, I decided to visit Margaret Brown’s mansion—a woman you all surely know by her nickname (which only became widely used after her death) as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Yes, she is the famous first-class passenger from the Titanic who never pretended to be anything she wasn’t and helped other passengers in such a critical situation. Today, her mansion houses a museum chronicling her life.
Molly spent nearly 40 years of her life in Denver. She moved into the mansion in 1896. She married well; her husband made his fortune in gold mining... She certainly wasn’t one of those millionaires who craved even greater wealth and couldn’t care less about others. On the contrary, she was one of the most prominent Denver figures of her time. She was literally ahead of her time. Today, the real fake news scene would label her pejoratively, as she was an open, progressive liberal. She championed the rights of women and minorities. She helped the poor. Thanks to her sharp tongue, she righted injustices wherever the state and society failed.
She led a busy, active life in every respect. Her character, as portrayed on the silver screen in the famous film, corresponds to reality down to the last detail. The mansion contains several places and relics that commemorate her journey on the famous ship. I also saw a temporary exhibit there—a small statue from Egypt that she had bought in Africa before returning to the U.S. and that she had in her pocket during the disaster. You’ll also read about how she compelled the other wealthy passengers on the lifeboat to contribute financially to the poorer survivors. She was a force of nature, and it’s wonderful that the city of Denver honors her in this way.
I then headed straight to 16th Street, the heart of Denver—until recently known as the 16th Street Mall—where an unusual parade was taking place: a procession of cowboys, horses, and livestock made its way from Union Station through the city center. That’s because Denver was kicking off another edition of one of the oldest livestock and rodeo shows, the National Western Stock Show. The first edition took place in 1906.
In the city center, I came across some unusual scenes involving animals. The show’s participants rode on horses, in sleighs, and on various carts and wagons. It was another cultural experience, though it was spoiled toward the end by heavy snowfall. It was the first time it had snowed during my stay in Colorado; until then, the sun had been shining, and the weather felt more like early summer than the middle of winter. I recommend checking out the parade in the updated photo gallery.
In the afternoon, I waited for the rest of the Eurolanche on Tour XVI expedition at the airport. Tomáš, Robert, and Eliška arrived safely from Vienna via London. This was Tomáš’ third trip to Colorado; he was last here 10 years ago. Robert was making his second visit, having previously come straight to the 2024 playoffs for his first trip, and for Eliška, it was a new experience.
After three away games and a 1-2 record, which I watched on TV, I finally got to see the first home game. First, we checked into the hotel together and headed out to Game 1. The Avalanche defeated the Senators 8-2. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the first leg of the Tour!
DAY 6 - 01/07 - A DAY I'LL NEVER FORGET
This day will forever be etched in my memory as one of the most memorable. I will truly never forget this day. For me, it not only embodied the concept of a "solo trip"—the first leg of the entire Eurolanche on Tour XVI—but it also brought an incredible wealth of experiences from morning to night. When I was planning the itinerary, I told myself I’d pack in as many activities and places in Colorado that I hadn’t visited yet as possible, and maybe even throw in some oddities—the kind that fill an entire book called “Weird Colorado.” The adventure could begin for me, and very early in the morning at that.
My first stop was the town of Broomfield, right next to Denver. I stopped at the local museum, which consisted of a small house and an adjacent building where honey was once produced. Neither of them was my destination, and they were closed anyway. Behind the museum lies the resting place of a dog named Shep. I had come to his grave. Shep lived from 1950 to 1964. Decades ago, employees who collected tolls at a nearby highway toll booth took in the stray dog. From then on, Shep kept them company every day and greeted drivers. Just a few years ago, his grave was moved to its current location due to construction.
I continued on to another cemetery in the greater Denver area, this time in the town of Lafayette, which welcomed me with its unique, cozy, and historic atmosphere. A visit there sometime in the future is definitely worth considering. On this particular day, I only had time for its cemetery, where I visited the grave of a local urban legend—supposedly a vampire. In reality, Teodor Glava from Romania—more specifically, Transylvania—is buried there, and that is where the legend that he was a vampire originates. He died in 1918 of the Spanish flu; he had no relatives in Colorado, and he shares his headstone with another Romanian. People leave all sorts of items on the headstone, which also bears the inscription "Austria-Hungary"...
A third cemetery. An hour from Denver lies the small town of Plateville, where "Rattlesnake Kate"—whose real name was Katherine McHale Slaughterback (1893–1969)—is buried. Kate became famous when, in 1925, while riding a horse with her 3-year-old son, they were surrounded by 140 migrating rattlesnakes. Kate fired all four bullets from her pistol and killed the rest of the rattlesnakes with a sign that read “No Hunting.” She made dresses, shoes, and other accessories from snakeskin. Her outfit is part of an exhibition in another city. Later, she also kept snakes. There were several unique gravestones at this cemetery, which you can find in the photo gallery.
An hour later, heading northeast, I arrived in the town of Fort Morgan. The stench from sugar beet processing was everywhere. Besides the geese in the local park, I was intrigued by the local “Rainbow Bridge”, whose arches resemble a rainbow. At 183 meters, it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world when it was built over 100 years ago. It later survived several floods, becoming a powerful symbol for the locals and the most famous landmark in town.
Next to Fort Morgan is an even smaller town, Brush, which was known in the 20th century as a stopover for ranchers driving thousands of head of cattle from Texas all the way to Montana. This is an incredibly interesting part of U.S. history, but there isn’t room to go into it here. The small local museum was closed. Even though I called the number written on the door, the tour didn’t work out, but the guide will be happy to show me around next time. Who knows if I’ll ever make it back there...
After that first half of the day, a crazy—but incredible—itinerary awaited me. I headed north to places where there’s almost nothing. These are the so-called Eastern Plains. Endless plains, occasionally punctuated by rocks and small ravines, as if to hint at the most famous part of Colorado. You won’t find any mountains here. It’s as if you’ve found yourself somewhere in Indiana or Nebraska. Nothing but flat land.
Under these conditions, I drove for another hour to reach Pawnee Buttes, two sandstone formations over 75 meters tall. They are the only ones to have withstood the water and wind. They are part of the Pawnee National Grassland. The final stretch to them was extremely difficult; I had to drive on a gravel road. No one around, just me. I told myself that if something happened to me here, no one would ever find me...
You can’t drive directly to the Pawnee Buttes; I took photos of them from the closest possible vantage point I could reach and set off again. No longer north, but rather southwest. I also recalled how a school nearby had caught my attention. Again, it seemed to be in the middle of the desert. Life here must be truly unique.
If I’d felt a bit crazy up until now, the real show was just getting started. I wasn’t riding on paved roads at all, but on nothing but gravel paths, of which there are countless in these plains. They crisscross vast fields and farms, shortening the journey, but even so, it’s incredibly tiring to drive straight, straight, straight. I felt like I was on another planet. Here and there I saw farms, some more luxurious than others, but otherwise nothing. Once again, I wondered if I’d get out of this situation unscathed. I pressed the gas pedal a little harder and prayed that the car would hold up. If I had to go slower, I’d still be there today.
Along the gravel roads, I saw several historic, half-ruined little houses. I got some beautiful shots. I recommend checking out the updated photo gallery.
When I finally made it onto the paved road, I was over the moon. The car had made it; all that was needed was a minor repair to a plastic part. I quickly stopped in the ghost town of Dearfield. It was founded in 1910 by an activist (Oliver Toussaint Jackson) as a free town for African Americans. It thrived with over 700 residents, but crises in the following decades turned it into a ghost town, though I did see a few houses where people live today. Its main landmark is the ruin of its founder’s wooden house. Standing there, I smiled as I compared what history means to Americans and what it means to us Europeans. Of course, ours is richer, more developed—after all, my later trip to Florence captivated me precisely because of Italian history... Americans know this; my friends laugh and say themselves that for them, something is historic even if it’s only a hundred years old. That’s why it might seem “strange” to a European what Americans, even here in Colorado, turn into landmarks. Well, that’s history for you. It’s diverse, it’s interesting, and it can’t be the same everywhere. I love it on both sides of the Atlantic.
From the Ghost Town, I arrived in Severance, known as the "Rocky Mountain Oysters Capital." At the famous local restaurant "Bruce's," I quickly had some so I could make it to the last stop on my itinerary. Forget about oysters! Rocky Mountain Oysters are fried bull testicles! Honestly, I wondered if I should try them, especially since they’re associated with my zodiac sign. But since I was already there… They tasted rubbery—nothing to write home about. Ouch.
The last stop of this endless day was in Fort Collins. It’s a big city now, not like the ones I’ve visited so far. It wasn’t my first time there, but I did take my first tour of the local New Belgium brewery. Compared to the megalomaniacal and world-famous Coors, it’s its smaller (independent) sibling. Its owner was inspired by European beer and offers several interesting varieties. The tour was intimate—there were only three of us—which made it all the more interesting. It was another one of those moments I’ll probably never forget. I’m glad I managed to make it to the scheduled tour after everything that happened.
And yet that wasn’t the end of it. While in Fort Collins, I made my way to the library, in front of which stands a statue… of a dog! The statue commemorates Annie the Raildog. Annie ended up at the Fort Collins train station in 1934, where she lived until her death 14 years later. Everyone took care of her. She was the town’s darling. She was especially loved by soldiers returning home from World War II.
And that was really it. Next came the roughly hour-long drive to Denver. In total, I drove 600 kilometers (370 miles) and spent over 7 hours on the road. It was a wonderful day!
DAY 5 - 01/06 - COLORADO SPRINGS AND THE WOLVES IN THE FORESTS
We started the morning with Ken over breakfast at the nearby Red Rocks Grill in my favorite little town, Morrison. There’s only one main street, but its atmosphere always makes it worth a visit. The restaurant was great, like something out of a movie—a classic mountain “chalet” with massive wood and stuffed animals (which I appreciated the least).
For the second day in a row, I headed to Colorado Springs, this time for several activities in a row. First, I went to Memorial Park, where I unexpectedly stumbled upon a memorial to firefighters. My original goal was a memorial dedicated to working dogs deployed in various conflicts—from the U.S. perspective, spanning from World War II to the ongoing war on terrorism.
After a complicated search, I found the memorial dedicated to man’s best friend and photographed it from every angle. Once there, I discovered that it is part of several smaller memorials, each dedicated to a specific branch of the U.S. military. Just then, a carillon began playing the American national anthem from the center of the grounds. I must admit that for the first time I felt a bit strange, specifically in relation to Trump’s policies, which have truly discredited every aspect of the U.S. In any case, even here it must have been true that not even Trump could touch the memory of those who lost their lives in service to their country—let alone the dogs.
Time flew by quickly, so I had less than half an hour before my next stop. I practically rushed through the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum—thankfully, admission was free. This city museum offered a glimpse into the history of Colorado Springs, but it definitely required at least 90 minutes to two hours, which I certainly didn’t have.
The main event of the day was a scheduled visit to a wolf rescue center—specifically, the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. The facility is tucked away in the woods, which is charming in itself. In large fenced-in areas, there are several dozen wolves of various species, as well as foxes and other animals. I paid a few extra dollars to take part in a tour during which the guide would feed the wolves—tossing raw meat from a bucket over the fence right in front of the visitors.
Even before the tour began, I managed to read a text from a memorial plaque about the two "founding" wolves of the facility, who were literally in love—as their photograph clearly shows. I also learned about the horrors the wolf population in the United States had endured. Due to rampant hunting, the once-numerous population became an endangered species. Thanks to rescue centers like this one, there is still some hope for their survival. I’m glad that the state of Colorado has some of the strictest laws for their protection, though some states are literally going against nature...
The tour was an amazing experience; I recommend it to every animal lover, who will surely appreciate the on-site gift shop as well, where, for example, a talisman in the form of a small bottle containing wolf hair was available. At the end of the information-packed tour, we were invited to “howl,” to which the wolves responded in kind—and certainly better than we did. Experiencing this in the forest was incredible; I can’t even imagine the atmosphere of the nighttime tours. It’s a shame they’ve already canceled the close-up tours.
From the mountains around Colorado Springs, I rushed back to Denver, once again to the Czech hockey pub SoBo 151. The Avalanche were playing their third away game during my stay. Unfortunately, they lost their second game in a row, this time to Tampa Bay 2-4. It was as if their luck was running out... The atmosphere was definitely improved by my longtime friends from Eurolanche, whom Ken and I met up with there.
DAY 4 - 01/05 - GALLERY, BOTANICAL GARDEN, BUTTERFLIES, AND CABBAGE SOUP
I stopped by the well-known IHOP chain for breakfast, but the artificial atmosphere didn't appeal to me at all... I spent the morning at the American Museum of Western Art—The Anschutz Collection. The gallery building is located right in the center of Denver, and its history, dating back over a hundred years, was as wild as the West itself. Today, you won’t find anything quite like that inside. Spanning about three floors, the paintings chart the art of the American West from the 19th century to the present. If a layperson wants to get an idea of what life was like not only in Colorado but also in the relatively recent past, the paintings of various artistic styles offer their imagination millions of scenarios for a diverse imagination.
Photography was prohibited inside, which is a shame, because some of the pieces were magnificent. The ground floor near the reception was lined with dozens of historical photographs of Denver and Colorado. It’s unbelievable how quickly life in the U.S. has changed. Where 120 years ago there were unpaved roads and horse-drawn stagecoaches, skyscrapers now reach for the sky. At least I managed to capture the nearby famous Brown Palace Hotel in the photo.
The next stop at the Denver Botanic Gardens was a disappointment for me. Although the garden was incomparably larger than the tiny gallery, it struck me as boring, a feeling exacerbated by what I considered its chaotic layout—I kept getting lost in it. On the one hand, it accurately depicted the partly arid environment typical of eastern Colorado—which is commendable—but it seemed as though the rest of the state’s colorful diversity was missing.
To get my fill of nature, I visited the Butterfly Pavilion. The first rooms contained several species of insects, reptiles, and spiders. The highlight was a huge room filled with butterflies. Some of the colorful specimens stand out in the photos. Otherwise, it was pretty standard—the kind of thing you’d find in our neck of the woods.
After returning home to Ken and his family, I went shopping with his son for the remaining ingredients needed for the cabbage soup (kapustnica) We went to King Soopers, which is something like our Lidl. I searched in vain for white, fermented cabbage in brine... I had to improvise until I found its sour cousin in a jar. It wasn’t the same kind of cabbage we have back home, but it was very similar. I enlisted the help of the local staff in my search. Just when it looked like we’d have to do without dried mushrooms, a single bag was found after all—the clerk fished it out from somewhere high up on the shelf and, handing it to me, said he didn’t even know they sold such a thing.
I was still cooking the cabbage soup that late afternoon. Believe it or not, the American sausage was much better than the Polish one, even though the one from our northern neighbors caught my eye. This specific type of cabbage had a major impact on the overall flavor of the soup. I didn’t manage to make it exactly like at home, but it wasn’t bad at all. Aside from the difference in acidity, I really missed our good old sausages from our local grocery stores. In any case, I was glad I managed to pull it off and that I could share a bit of tradition from home with my hosts.
Dinner was followed by the now-traditional stop at Ballmer Peak for a few drinks. Then we all watched the fantastic movie Bugonia. If you like hoaxes and conspiracy theories, I highly recommend it.
DAY 3 - 01/04 - FOR RODEO, FOSSILS, AND SOBO 151
The third day—actually, still only my second full day in Colorado—brought another packed schedule from morning to night. I started by heading south to Denver, to Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city, which is known not only as a national Olympic training center but also as the only place in the world whose residents rejected hosting the Winter Olympics (1976).
I treated myself to an American-style breakfast at a classic gas station, where you’ll find a wide selection of dishes, free sauces, and dozens of sodas. You’ve got to have the stereotype!
In Colorado Springs, I visited the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, a hall of fame dedicated to professional rodeo. Rodeo is intertwined with Colorado’s history, just like the story of Buffalo Bill, who is buried near Denver. The Hall of Fame offers a brief glimpse into the history of this sport across a large space, but mainly a list of over 100 Hall of Fame members in various categories, along with thousands of their artifacts—boots, saddles, lassos, hats, magazines, and who knows what else.
I tried to find someone with Czechoslovak roots among these figures, but I didn’t succeed. I’m glad I managed to visit this place, since a few days later it was announced that the entire Hall of Fame would soon be moving to Wyoming due to the need for even larger spaces. In addition to the human participants, I also appreciated the exhibition dedicated to the animals, which are an integral part of this sport and must always be well cared for.
After admiring the cowboy statue in front of the hall, which I photographed from various angles—as you can see in the photo gallery—I got in the car and headed toward the mountains. Somewhere further down the valley lies the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, an area known for its fossil sites—primarily insects, plants, and giant sequoias. It is precisely the stumps of these giant trees that are the area’s biggest attraction. One of them, Big Stump, is 34 million years old. The fossils were preserved thanks to a massive volcanic eruption; the rest were buried by ash, much like in Pompeii.
A tour of this interesting site follows hiking trails and takes about an hour. Although it may not seem like an attractive place for tourists, in the past, fierce competition raged between two lodging operators in the area, who were constantly arguing. Their story even includes a murder case. At that time, before World War II, it was common for tourists to sit on redwood stumps and chip off valuable souvenirs to take home.
I had to hurry because the Avs were playing Florida at 3:00 p.m. Ken and I met at the Czech hockey pub SoBo 151, whose owner and manager are longtime friends of Eurolanche. They’re not only part of our circle of friends but also true supporters—every year they help us with game tickets, for which we owe them a huge thank you. Not only they, but also our other American friends are proof of how important personal friendships are in times when those for whom such things shouldn’t be the slightest problem turn their backs on you.
The Avalanche ultimately lost 1-2. This ended their 10-game winning streak. It was only their third loss in regulation time this season. Captain Landeskog suffered an injury, sealing his fate so that we definitely won’t see him in any home games during this road trip. What can you do? At least I had some fantastic Buffalo wings to cheer me up!
DAY 2 - 01/03 - THE OLD AIRPORT, THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL, AND AN EVENING IN DOWNTOWN
This year, I tried to make the entire trip itinerary as comprehensive as possible—selecting places and activities that are characteristic of Colorado in terms of its history, present, art, culture, and uniqueness. Returning to the same place year after year has long since compelled me to study more and more about this American state during the long weeks of putting together the itinerary. Thanks in part to the literature I regularly acquire, I was able to include attractions in the itinerary for the sixteenth time that had never been part of it before.
The first part of Tour XVI, my solo segment, was no exception; I included lesser-known and bizarre places that might not interest everyone—specifically those who still have things to discover in Colorado, whether they’ve never been there before or are returning for only the second time.
My first two full days in the U.S. served as proof of this approach. See for yourself.
After an American breakfast prepared by the very skilled chef Ken for me and his family, Ken and I went to two European grocery stores to buy ingredients for the cabbage soup (kapustnica) I was planning to cook. In one of them, we were greeted by a Polish shopkeeper who has lived in Colorado for over 50 years. We communicated in Slovak. The Polish man didn’t hesitate; he went to the back room and offered us liqueur and beer, which we drank right there among the shelves filled with authentic European products, including those from Slovakia like Kofola, Vinea, and Vincentka...
After shopping, I headed to the airport. Not that I had a flight to catch, though I’ve been on two trips where, after arriving in Denver on the first day, we immediately flew somewhere else the very next day... This time, I made my way to Stapleton Airport, which actually no longer exists. It served as Colorado’s main airport from 1929 to 1995. Today, only one thing remains of it—the control tower.
An enthusiast who takes care of it recently opened it to the public with the help of a private sponsor. Until then, it had been falling into disrepair and was accessible only during emergencies. Several lower floors of the tower have been modernized; there are two bars there, as well as a game area with interactive and entertaining games suitable for corporate team-building.
The biggest attraction is on the top floor, which can only be reached by stairs. This is the space from which Denver air traffic controllers used to coordinate air traffic. It features authentic instruments, equipment, live broadcasts from the current airport, various points of interest, and 360-degree views of Denver and the surrounding area from angles I’ve never seen before.
The entire staircase is lined with historical photographs and interesting facts about the airport’s history. Among them is a tragic event: the crash of Flight 629 on November 1, 1955. What happened? John Gilbert Graham placed an explosive device in his mother’s luggage (officially a surprise gift she was supposed to unwrap later). At the airport, he took out a life insurance policy on her in case of a plane crash (a common practice at airports at the time). Eleven minutes after takeoff, the device exploded; the plane crashed near Denver, killing all 44 people on board. Graham was arrested shortly thereafter and later executed following a death sentence. In front of the control tower stands a recently unveiled memorial to the victims of one of the first such air disasters, which led to the tightening of security checks at airports.
I then headed to downtown Denver, to Coors Field, where the National Ballpark Museum is located. It’s run by an older gentleman named Bruce, a baseball enthusiast who donated his lifetime collection to the nonprofit. I’m not really a fan of the sport, but I checked out the place out of curiosity. Baseball is a sport of stories and a unique culture that continues to fascinate many fans.
Ken and I headed out into the streets that evening. First, we watched the Avalanche vs. Hurricanes game (5-3) at the LGBTI+ friendly sports bar Tight End (in Colorado and almost elsewhere in the U.S., this is completely normal, and no one judges anyone—sports aren’t just for hooligans), followed by dinner and a few drinks. We walked to the nearby Denver Capitol, had a good laugh, and took a taxi home.
DAY 1 - 01/02 - ARRIVAL IN THE U.S.
I decided to make this, my last trip as an organizer, a special one. That’s why it started for me almost a week earlier than for the other participants. Right on the second day of New Year, shortly before 5 a.m., I found myself at the Vienna airport. The line was already so long that breakfast in the airport lounge was out of the question. By the time I had gone through all the necessary procedures, I arrived at the departure gate, which opened shortly thereafter.
For the first time, I chose Turkish Airlines, which only began operating the Istanbul-Denver route last year. I was curious about the quality of their service and also wanted to experience the world’s longest direct flight to Denver.
We departed from Vienna before 7 a.m. The flight was smooth and lasted just under two hours. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the huge and modern Istanbul airport, as well as a one-hour time difference (I didn’t need a visa). I had over three hours to spare, but the time flew by very quickly. I took advantage of the opportunity to wait in the reclining chairs. The airport felt spacious; there was no rush or chaos. Interestingly, when a fellow passenger and I alerted the staff to a forgotten backpack—which is generally considered a security threat—no one seemed in a hurry to resolve the situation.
There were three types of security checks at the departure gate, which I had never experienced with such intensity on a flight from Europe to the U.S. Everything went smoothly, but overall, with so many passengers, it was a lengthy process.
The flight to Denver took nearly 12 hours; I don’t think I’ve ever flown that long before. A new feature for me was the free amenity kit in a Lacoste pouch, which included slippers and a menu from which we could choose various meals and cologne for passengers in the restroom. And I was flying in regular economy class.
I couldn’t sleep much, just a little. On the screen in front of me, I completed all the levels in Angry Birds, or I watched live news on CNN (at the time, the top story of the day was a tragic fire in a Swiss bar) or a pre-downloaded Avalanche game from New Year’s Eve. Turkish Airlines offered free internet access for text messaging. I paid extra for a bit more data a couple of times so I could use the web and social media normally. Overall, it was a comfortable flight in a modern plane; I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to fly this route again.
For the first time since my very first trip with Eurolanche (when we were significantly delayed), I landed in Denver after dark, before 6:00 p.m. local time. After going through security checks, an immigration interview, and a quick, free bus ride, I arrived at the car rental office near the airport. Thanks to good preparation, I got the car—a white Toyota Camry—in under a minute. That was indeed my personal record for a trip.
I moved in with Ken and his family, who let me spend the solo part of my trip with them. We spent the evening at the Ballmer Peak Distillery bar, one of Ken’s favorite spots, where they make more than just their own whiskey. It was an extremely long day, but it was worth it, and I was truly glad that I managed to pull it all off. Three weeks of the most intense Eurolanche on Tour awaited me, with a daily schedule planned down to the hour.
David Puchovsky, Slovakia, eurolanche@eurolanche.com
14/04/2026 - 08:00
