Rocky Mountain High

Well, actually, Denver isn't in the Rockies.

Denver sits in a bowl, about 20 miles east of the foothills.

But it isn't called the Mile High City for nothing: it is, indeed, 5,280 feet above sea level.

And if you are coming to Denver for the Democratic National Convention, you need to plan ahead because if you live near sea level, coming up to our rarified air will be a shock to your system.

So here are some tips for surviving our Almost Foothills High.

While your body is undergoing altitude adjustment (I will not call it "sickness"; you're not sick, you're just adjusting), you are likely to be easily fatigued, have trouble sleeping, have a headache and just generally feel lousy.  For some the adjustment comes easily; for others, they feel like they've been hit with the flu.

If you have heart or lung ailments, you need to be very cautious.  It may be necessary for you to have supplemental oxygen available to you; check with your physician.  (On a side note, it's typical for performers from out of state to have oxygen tanks backstage, so I'm guessing they'll be provided for the convention speakers).

It generally takes from one to three days to adjust to our altitude, so if at all possible, arrive a few days early -- as a bonus, you'll have the opportunity to do some sightseeing.

Drink lots, and lots, and lots of water.  Denver is very, very dry.  Single-digit humidity levels are not uncommon.  The good news is that even if it's in the 90s, it won't feel all that hot to folks from more humid climes.  The bad news is that you dehydrate faster.

Limit your alcohol intake: alcohol dehydrates, and you'll be fighting dehydration.

Also contributing to dehydration is that you will be breathing more rapidly as your body adjusts to the lower oxygen level.  The faster you breath, the more moisture you exhale.

Although we do have some wonderful restaurants, try to eat lightly when you first arrive (although, if you're one of the unfortunate ones who is hit hard by the altitude, you likely won't feel like eating much at all).  Again, your body is adjusting, so you don't want to overburden it with trying to digest a heavy meal.

Also, our altitude makes the sun stronger -- you will sunburn faster.  Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

One thing you can do with that extra time in Denver is to come to the gathering some Denver area kossacks will be putting together at my house.  We're still in the planning stages, but we'll be having an open house on the Sunday, August 24 at the Garden Blogging Garden -- 2 miles from downtown Denver, and easily available to public transportation, both light rail and buses.

We're looking forward to hosting you -- but please, take care of yourselves!