Visiting Denver? Look for the Giant Pencil
It was one of those moments. Long time readers will know I’m strangely drawn to (well execuited) roadside kitsch and randomness. This summer there was Foamhenge and Dinosaurs in the Civil War. And I’m still feeling pouty it wasn’t possible to fit a trip to the Idaho Potato Museum when I visited Idaho for the first time.
Downtown Denver has a 15 story No. 2 Pencil!!!
During breakfast in the Hyatt Regency lounge, travel friend Scott pointed out what appeared to be a smokestack painted to look like a giant pencil. I was immediately enchanted.
I hadn’t seen it from my room on a lower floor because of all the tall buildings and I wondered if it was visible from the ground. So during a lunch break I made my local colleague go for a stroll with me. Sure enough, by the Aloft on 15th & Stout we could get a little closer and I was able to get a picture with it.
If you really want a good picture, based on Google Maps it looks like 15th & Champa is the best spot. And if you’re even more excited by randomness than I am, you might enjoy the Instagram video of the eraser being painted.
Great Pencil! I passed thru Denver this summer as well but did not get to downtown.