Denver Mountains vs. Cali/San Diego Mountains - Casinos (Black Forest: how much, living in)

[justsomeguy]

I know the Rockies are certainly majestic, but it's been about 12 years or so since I've been out that way. I was only like 14 years old. I know there are a lot of San Diego people out there, and a lot of San Diego/Denver threads, so I was wondering, just how much different is it to look out and see the Rocky Mountains vs. the Moutain Range that I see to the East in San Diego? Is it that much larger and more majestic? Can you even see the Rockies very well out there? Or do you have to drive out a certain ways or be in a certain area?

I loved vacationing in Colorado because I remember the Rockies being so beautiful and majestic. But if I look out into the distance here, I can see some pretty cool looking mountains as well. Or when I drive out to the Casinos, I feel like I am "in the mountains" and it is pretty. So to those of you living in Denver now, how much different is the view of those mountains there vs. here? As descriptive as possible about what you see and what you feel would be great.

Also - are there any casinos out there that you can go play in NL Hold 'Em Poker tournaments or games, the way you can do here at the tribal casinos in San Diego? And if you can't play in any cash tournaments in casinos there, is there any other way to play some NL Hold 'Em poker, like a Denver league or something?

Thanks for your help.

[.gif]

the farther east you are, the more mountains you can see. if you are more to the west (like highlands ranch or some place) you really will only see the foothills. depending on where you are, you might be able to see a distant white peak or two. it probably looks very similar to san diego, though i've never been there.

there are tribal casinos nearby. blackhawk is one of them. i don't know what they have there.

[.gif]

the view typically looks like this:
http://www.rockymountainroads.com/co...xit_019_03.jpg

though the foothills are very pretty after it has snowed and the sun has come out.

[vegaspilgrim]

San Diego and Denver look totally different-- no comparison. San Diego doesn't have tall peaks-- but it is chock full of hills-- with a bunch of canyons (it seems like all the freeways are built in canyons) and mesas (like Mira Mesa, etc). I think it is VERY beautiful. Kind of desert-like, but lush compared to Phoenix. The Denver metro area itself has no interesting topography at all, once you are east of the foothills and north of the "Black Forest" area. Contrary to what some people say, it is not paper flat (with the exception of the Platte valley)-- there is a slight rolling up and down contour, which you can notice if you try bicycling around, but yeah it is very flat and boring. The Rocky mountains are a beautiful view, but they are more in the background than up close. Now, once you go in the Rocky Mountains, I would say, yeah, they are more impressive than San Diego's hills. But for day-to-day driving around the city, going on the freeways, the stuff you do 95% of the time, San Diego is far more scenic.

[gpraceman]

Personally, I'd rather see the mountains of CO than the hills and canyons of San Diego. When we moved to San Diego, we got closer and closer (we drove out) and my wife started crying and said "the only things that are green is what they water". For two people that had grown up in CO, it was a bit a shock to the system. Sure SD has nice beaches and coastal areas, but you don't have to go very far inland for it to be more like a desert.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

The casinos are not run by any Indian tribes. The problem with gambling in Colorado is that it is "limited stakes", so the maximum bet is $5 on any slot or table. Most of the blackjack tables are $5 minimum and $5 maximum. I know that some casinos have poker, but I do not know what kind it is or how it is run.

You can get to the casinos in Black Hawk and Central City within a 1/2 hour drive from Denver. It is a gorgeous drive into the mountains.