Shop in the name of sales

Denise Daniels always looks forward to the shopping madness that is Black Friday.

“I find it so much fun,” the Colorado Springs woman said.

This year, the fun actually began before Black Friday, with Daniels, her brother Todd and their mother hitting their first store Thursday night. Here’s a look at their shopping odyssey:

- They arrived at Comp-USA on North Academy Boulevard at 7:45 p.m. Thursday for the store’s 9 p.m. to midnight sale. They bought a 22-inch flat-screen TV for $150, normally $300, and a camera for $129 with a free digital picture keychain. Normal price for the camera is $229 and $30 for the keychain, Daniels said.

- After a brief rest back home, the trio headed up Interstate 25 toward the Outlets at Castle Rock a little after 11 p.m. They reached the offramp for the outlet mall at midnight, but from there it took half an hour to reach the parking lot.

“It was so packed,” Daniels said. “The ramps were completely bumper to bumper.”

They began their shopping about 12:30 a.m., with savings ranging from a winter coat, half off at $60, and a $90 suitcase bag for $35. They left Castle Rock at 4:15 a.m.

- Back in the Springs, they arrived at the Wal-Mart Supercenter near the Chapel Hills Mall at 4:55 a.m. Purchases included a portable DVD player. An attempt afterward to shop at Circuit City was abandoned because of long lines.

- At 6 a.m., they arrived at Home Depot at North Academy Boulevard and Woodmen Road.

They bought a drill set, normally $200, for $97.

- After returning home for a two-hour nap, they went to Promenade Shops at Briargate, shopping at Gymboree, a children’s clothing store.

Daniels was home once again by noon.

“I’m done now, and I can relax now,” she said. “I am exhausted.”