Denver Visit 2024/2025

A Club-to-Club Friendship Exchange between the Rotary Club of Kingston and the Denver Mile High Rotary Club

Kingston to Denver

July 2024

Rotarians from the Denver Mile High Club welcomed us with open arms and generous hearts, setting the tone for a truly memorable Friendship Exchange. Our first day featured a visit to the American Museum of Western Art – The Anschutz Collection, followed by a fascinating tour of the historic Brown Palace Hotel. That evening, we shared a remarkable dinner prepared by an Afghan couple who movingly recounted their courageous journey from Afghanistan to Denver via Japan and Mexico, an unforgettable reminder of resilience and hope.

A scenic drive took us to Colorado Springs, where we climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak aboard the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. On the return journey, we wandered through the dramatic sandstone formations of Garden of the Gods, soaking in its raw natural beauty and geological wonders.

We were warmly welcomed at a Denver Mile High Rotary meeting, where lively exchanges on fundraising, membership, and shared Rotary goals deepened our connection. The Denver Botanic Gardens, ranked among the world’s best, sparked curiosity with its extraordinary global plant collections, while a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre left us in awe of its natural acoustics and sweeping scale.

Throughout the week, dinners, laughter, and storytelling strengthened friendships. Our exchange concluded at Tom and Guchi’s beautiful mountain cabin—an enchanting and peaceful setting to celebrate a successful, joy-filled visit. We now eagerly look forward to welcoming our Denver friends on their return trip to Kingston.

Denver to Kingston
September/October 2025

What a wonderful few days sharing our corner of Ontario with friends from Denver! From the moment our guests arrived, the exchange was filled with laughter, easy friendship, and true Rotary spirit.

We explored the Thousand Islands with a Gananoque boat cruise, enjoyed countryside hospitality, and saw Kingston from every angle, including from the air, thanks to Rotarian Sylvio, who treated our visitors to an unforgettable flight over Kingston and the islands. Seeing our region from above was truly a once-in-a-lifetime highlight.

Back on the ground, Kingston’s alleys, murals, historic buildings, waterfront walks, and downtown dining made for full and memorable days. A trip to Prince Edward County and Picton rounded out the experience with a ferry ride, Lake on the Mountain, wineries, cideries, and relaxed meals overlooking the water.

The exchange wrapped up as our friends headed on toward Toronto, taking with them new friendships, shared memories, and a bird’s-eye view of Canada they’ll never forget.