Light Rail to Downtown Denver

July 25, 2007

Each year we take our puppies on the light rail train for a public transit and city experience. After riding the light rail from Littleton Station to Union Station, we rode the mall bus to the 16th Stree Mall. This year we climbed stairs, walked the mall, rode a glass elevator, met carriage horses, listened to the "talking sidewalk," and of course our pups made lots of new friends. Since most blind persons use public transit, ensuring that each of our pups has an experience with light rail trains and crowded mall buses is a must-have experience before the dogs return for harness training at guide Dogs for the Blind.

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The group at Union Station

Half the fun (and learning) is in the getting there!
Leah & Carol make Sheffield feel comfortable on the light rail to downtown.	This is the way to travel! But tuck those paws and noses in if you don't want them stepped on.

Casie and Capri at Union Station	Leah & Sheffield and Kasey & Theodore on the platform.	Janet meets a Blind Person & her guide who happen to be commuting on the same transit as our group.

All aboad the bus to 16th street mall! Carrie & Florita make their way in.		Carrie & Florita & Erin & Royale enjoy the ride.

The pups don't seem to mind a crowded bus at all.
First stop, the Denver Pavillions
Up we go...	Climbing some stairs.	Steep, but no problem for Erin & Royale and MaryJo & Trishna

Edges are no problem for this group of pups.	Hello down there!	Seeing what we can see.

A Little Mall Walking
The group take 16th Street!	Annette and Miranda pose with Venus.	A street crossing

Getting darker.	Look both ways!	Things look different in the dark.

What's this? A talking sidewalk?!
Speakers under the ventelation grates play music and sound effects. Leah & Sheffield investigate.	These pups don't seem to notice the music.	Royale and Erin ponder the noise.

A Glass Elevator beats the stairs!
Waiting for the doors to open.	Doors closing...	Seeing the floors swoosh by doesn't fase these pups.

Mall walking is thirsty work...Drinks for all!
Jeanne uses a collapsable bowl to offer the dogs water.	"Thanks, Jeanne, that hits the spot!"	Royale drinks up.

New Friends of All Sizes
Royale wants to meet the horse, just not from too close up.		Sheffield doesn't seem interested--which is much better than a fearful reaction.

Annette and venus stop to chat.	This young lady may just become a puppy raiser herself some day; her mom coudln't drag her away until she's met all of our dogs!

Home Again, Home Again.
Visiting downtown is hot and stressful. This cool tile offers a welcome break.	Home again on light rail--just the way we came.	The pups are tuckered out after a successful and fun downtown outing.