Platte River Road Arch: Final Day of Vacation

Our final stop of the vacation was at the Platte River Roadway Arch,  It is a spot that looks so intriguing from the road, but worries you that it might not live up to the hype.  I'm sure I speak for my family when I say that we are all pleasantly surprised at what a fun stop this was and how much we learned about the pioneers trek across that plains and so much more.  It really exceeded our expectations.

Outside, we got to visit a sod house, a Pawnee earth lodge, and a settler's home along with some amazing life size sculptures of bison and buffalo.  As I've often noted, it's a good thing we were not born back "then" as we surely would have died if our current ability to grow vegetables is any indication!  Not to mention the smell of the "earth" in either a lodge hut or sod house; we'd have really struggled with our allergies.

However, had we gotten lost along the trail as a Pioneer heading west, I think either Mr P or Mr C could have found us a way out; either that or they are just really good at mazes.  I must say I'm not too bad at mazes either, but I do get a little dizzy walking around and around.  Thankfully, the 2nd time, our family attempted the TrailBlaze Maze outside the arch I watched from the crows nest above and got to see who cheats and who helps their fellow sister!

Once inside the Arch, we experienced what life was like on the Prairie, to watch the building of the frontier right before our eyes, to walk along the Lincoln Highway and how that changed transportation to really feel what it must have been like on the Pony Express and how challenging life was for those who came before us.  Listening on the headphones to first person recollections and seeing scenes change before you life, it was almost as if you walking the trail with these pioneers.  I think each one of us was impressed with the images and sounds and so grateful that we got to experience this journey.

It really is like no other museum I've experienced.  It was impressive that you are in essence walking across/back over the interstate the entire time.  For as much as I might have joked about this place in the past, I can honestly say I was impressed.  There really was something there for everyone with some hands on sites outside and some visual effects inside made a great impact on the kids.

Of course, the fact that we got the kids pictures taken with a real life Explorer made the end of our trip even more special. What a great way to end our vacation.  As the kids would say a few more times that day: "Are We Home Yet?"  Almost.

Loveland Pass: Take Two

Before we could leave behind the beautiful mountains of Colorado, we decided to take one last hike up Loveland Pass and really experience the breathtaking views of the valley below and the peaks above.  Amazing is really the only word you can use to describe the beauty and majesty at every turn.  Since we were all prepared for the trek, we made it a little higher than before though not as high as Mr C would have liked.  However, after about 30 minutes, we did really need to start the journey down the mountain and back towards home.

Next year, we will come back with coats and walking sticks, pack a lunch, and plan to make a day of just exploring the area. How often do you get to experience the fresh mountain air, the beauty of the timber line, and views that last for miles?  We did not get enough.

As we were leaving, we did decide that one of the memorable portions of the Loveland Pass is right at the Loveland Ski Area.  You pass underneath a Ski Lift the goes right across the road.  Under the Lift is a long net to catch things that fall from the chair; protecting the cars from ski poles etc.  Of course, we thought the sight of a body (skier) in the net might be the scariest sight a driver could have on the Pass!

Thankfully, our journey towards home was a slow one.  We planned a few more stops along the way to ease the transition back to reality and help us come slowly down for our mountaintop experiences.  First stop was at Chic Fil A in Denver for an early lunch.  Who knew that is was also protest Chic Fil A Day; a perfect day for us to go support our "friends" who stood up to the politically correct and stood firm on marriage. No wonder we love to "Eat Mor Chikin"

A little later in the day, we stopped in Ogallala Nebraska, the cowboy capital of the plains, and saw Boot Hill.  Let's just say the kids were less than thrilled with this little excursion, but Miss M did find a tomb of someone born on her "birthday" so that made up for the inconvenience.  Their lasting impression however was a few blocks away from Boot Hill where we came across a garage sale. On the side of the house, there was a lady cutting someone's hair right in the middle of the street.  We'd never seen a garage sale/ hair salon before.  Just to make sure we weren't seeing things we even went by twice.

Finally, we came to our stopping place for the evening; Kearney Nebraska home of the Great Platte River Roadway Arch.  We stopped at a Holiday Inn with an indoor water park complete with two slides!  We live on the edge.  Giving in to peer pressure (the kids twisted my arm-really hard), I even went down the slide to my own amazement.  Let's just say that I don't normally go on water slides because without my glasses I'm nearly blind and there is nothing I dislike more than going in a dark slide without the ability to see!

Let's just say it was a one time wonder.  I left the slide with a bruised up arm; bleeding from rubbing the slide and being forced down under the water at such a high rate of speed.  Not my idea of fun, but the kids were thrilled that I'd taken one for the team. Literally, I had "skin" in the game.

Keystone Village: Our Little Home Away from Home

We loved our condo in Keystone. It was perfect for our family, just the right size, a quiet location with a gorgeous view of the mountains, and a pool that we had nearly to ourselves every night.  It was just what a vacation was suppose to be; relaxing, bonding and without the day to day stress of life.  Sure we fixed some easy meals, did a few loads of laundry and had to remind people to turn off the Olympics and go to bed, but those things actually made this stay more like home and easier to manage.

Our only wish was that we had found the little village shops near us before our next to last day of the trip.  Who knew?  However, that didn't stop us from exploring around and having fun.  Next trip, we'll know a little more about our surroundings and be ready for even more adventures.  Who knows, maybe I convince my little family to make a trip during ski season sometime and we can trek on the trails with snowshoes and skis.  I'm not holding my breath.

 



We loved our walk along the creek in Keystone. Jumping over sticks, creating our own path in the water and finding time to "Tebow."  Hey, Tim used to play for the Broncos!  Miss M and Miss A were a little disappointed that at no time in our trip did we run into any mountain lions, grizzly bears or wild animals.  Their mother, of course, was thrilled that they stayed far away; nature and animal lover that I am.

I tried to convince P that we could sneak a few wooden Adirondack chairs into our suitcase; but he shot my idea down and I had to just soak up as much time as possible on the front porch.  Cool Colorado mornings and breathtaking views from the porch, who would want to leave?

 

We did have one solution for not wanting to leave Keystone; we threw the kids in the city jail. Sadly, they used their brute strength to get out from behind the bars. 

We had a great trip to Colorado and one that we are considering repeating new year.  The memories we have from this trip will certainly be the tales of family lore in the future.  That's what its all about!

Panning Gold and Memories: Breckenridge

Our final day in the mountains was spent in Breckenridge, the "little ski village that blew up unto a huge resort" or at least that's what I would call it today.  Back in the days of my childhood, it really was a small little ski resort. A town that I could walk to from our home and knew the main street and the slopes at Peak 8 and Peak 9 like the back of my hand.

First stop of the day was to the Country Boy Mine where we panned for Gold and got to feel just a little bit of the Gold Rush.  My husband might just have survived being a "rusher" as within minutes he'd found a gold nugget in his pan; Miss M and Miss A were not as lucky even when the took lessons on Fill-Spill-Splash-Tail from their father.  He had the touch.  Mr C found a few nuggets too, after some time with Dad, he resorted to getting right in the middle of the stream in hopes of avoiding the already "claimed" areas. 

Had we been a real gold mining family, I think that the girls and I would have been busy doing the laundry and cooking while the boys were busy striking gold.  At least that would have been my plan.  Miss A said she could have done the gold mine chute slide, but I'm not sure that would have been an option.

After a few hours of mining, we were ready to explore the town. I  hardly recognized anything. Sure there were a few places I remembered like Skinny Winter Gifts where I used to blow through my allowance and birthday money on knick knacks; the Whale's Tail Restaurant that we used to frequent, and of course the Shirt Off My Back where I bought my yearly screen printed t-shirt. It was fun to take a little bit of a trip down memory lane, but I enjoyed making new memories with my family even more.

When we finished lunch, shopping, and strolling the city; it was time to head up the mountain to see my favorite slopes.  Everyone was willing to take the Gondola from town thinking it was so much safer than the chairlift in Copper.  They loved the enclosed feel, the doors and the fact that you climbed so much more gradually. At the base of the mountain I was shocked to see a Giant Hotel Complex which had previously been a a small little chalet.  Progress?, 

It as fun to show off some of my old stomping ground, but I was anxious to get back to our quiet little condo in Keystone!

Loveland Pass: Contintentail Divide First Attempt

Leaving Georgetown, we decided to try a different route back to Keystone.  The condo owner had told us how much quicker it was to take the Loveland Pass instead of going through the Eisenhower Tunnel and then around to Keystone.  Now for those of you who have never been on the "Pass," I'll admit that my one and only experience on this route was back when I was about Miss A's age and there was a snowstorm. According to my parents, I was a little shocked with just have far the drop off was from the road. 

I'll give my husband a lot of credit for being willing to drive our big Honda Odyssey over the Pass. He's not what you call an experienced high elevation driver.  Add to that the fact that most of the other vehicles on the road were Haz Mat carrying Semi's and it's a little unnerving.  He did great, but I think all of our kids were a little shocked at just how much we were climbing and how there was no real side rail protecting us from falling off the road.

At about the hallway point of our journey, we discovered an overlook that we could not pass by; the Continental Divide.  We parked the car and got out for a quick hike up the mountain. Quick mostly because three of us had on sandals or flip flops.  Climbing up the side of a steep mountain is not something you take lightly and we were ill prepared.  Of course, Mr C was convinced that we were being wimps until his youngest sister slipped a few times and almost fell off the mountain.  At least that's my story. 

I'll admit even though we'd been in the mountains for about six days by now, the altitude as we climbed really got to a few of us; something about shortness of breath and the deliurous thought that we could keep on going.  Thankfully, wisdom prevailed and we decided that we'd come back on our way back down the mountain in a few days and we'd be more prepared for the cool temps at the top and for the rough terrain.

One thing is certain; God's beauty at the Continental Divide is unparalleled.  It's stunning. Having the kids see the Timber Line and realize that trees don't exist at a certain height and that snow is still around in August was amazing.  Maybe I can understand why the gold rushers and the explorers of the west stopped in Colorado along the way and never left.  It's stunningly beautiful. 

Georgetown Train

There is a cute little mining town just past the Eisenhower Tunnel that I had visited a number of years ago and thought it would be a fun place to take a trip into yesteryear in Colorado.  Georgetown boasts the finest Narrow Gauge Loop Railroad of it's kind. Constructed in 1884, this is the same train line that miners took to get to the silver miners back in the late1800's from Silver Plume to Georgetown.

We rode along in an open rail car and got to experience what an engineering masterpiece this narrow three feet gauge line really is.  How amazing that the designers realized that due to the elevation the steam engine trains would need to "loop around" in order to make it up the mountain.  The spectacular views of the mountains and the valleys in this beautiful area were well worth our morning excursion. 

Once again, we were convinced that there was no way any of us could have survived living in Colorado during the Gold Rush/Silver Mining Era.  No wonder so many didn't make it past Omaha. I'm thinking our family was born at for such a time as now! 

The train stopped in Silver Plume (a town that is according to the conductor is only "open" on weekends) and then the train engine switched places and we went back down the mountain to Georgetown.  Traveling along the rail lines we realized why our ears popped and car protested the incline going up the tunnel.  What a climb!

After a great train ride, we took a little stroll around the town of Georgetown including a visit to a Scandinavian shop where I had purchased a bib that said "Lil Norwegian" for Miss M when she was a baby while I was on girls only weekend with some relatives.  What a perfect little excursion!

Copper Mountain- Take Two

Our morning in Copper was filled with water, speed and fun and our afternoon was more soaring heights and conquering fears.  By the end of the day, our crew had survived a trip on a chairlift to the top of the mountain (well not really, but they weren't willing to go any higher!) scaled a rock wall and Miss A had jumped her way high into the sky!

Until this trip, our adventures with rock climbing were mostly in the sandy bottom of the lake where you "skipped" over rocks to swim or skipped them across the still lake top.  Mr C shocked both of his parents when he went right to the most difficult side of the "mountain" and made it nearly to the top.  The only thing that stopped him was his size 13 foot.  It's a little tough to get that big of a shoe into a little hole.  He even had a crowd cheering him on! Seriously, it was amazing.  Guess that the church camp experience is really paying off in terms of fears and determination.  If only the Boy Scouts could see him now!

Miss A and Miss M wisely choose to stay on the more gentle side of the rock wall and made a valiant effort to climb.  Miss A said she was getting too nervous and kept losing her grip.  Miss M said she wasn't really into the whole climbing thing.  She wasn't thrilled to be going, but was more nervous about having to come down.  I'm just proud of them for even trying.

While Miss M and Mr C and P tried another round of golf, Miss A and I stood in line forever for the  bungee trampoline.  She was determined that she could "do this" and with sheer determination she did! Watching her soar through the air right up next to the slopes, I couldn't help but think that next she needs to try downhill skiing which is a little like gilding across the snow and soaring on land.  Miss A said the only problem was that she wasn't heavy enough to get herself down from the harness each time to reach the trampoline and a few times she was just swinging along in the sky!

Finally, at the end of the day, I convinced the gang that ridding a chair lift would not result in death. At least they were willing to humor me, but they weren't really sure I knew what I was talking about.  Miss M joined me on the chair and then Mr C and Miss A were with P.  I think our "chair" enjoyed the trip up much more than theirs did. We had our eyes open and were looking around.  Can't say the same of them!

 

Once we reached the top of the mountain, I tried to convince them we could walk down or at least climb up a little more and then come back down to the chair; but they were all still in shock from surviving that after a few photos they were ready to go back down to civilization.  Love their adventurous spirit.

We had such a great day at Copper Mountain and while we didn't really challenge our self on the mountain itself,  I think next trip we will be a little more prepared.  I'm thinking picnic in the "bowl" at the top and maybe we'll even walk all the way down! 

A perfect day like this could only end with a great New York Style pizza at Jersey Boys in Dillon!

Tackling Fears and Soaring Heights : Copper Mountain (Part One)

Another day of vacation, another adventure; this time the venue included bumper boats, go-carts and mountain climbing (in more ways than one) plus a visit with two of our favorite people!  Can you say stellar day?

It had always been our plan to go to Copper Mountain to visit our friend N and her adorable little boy Mikey.  However, when we found out that the Adventure Park at Copper included all kinds of fun things for "boys and girls" of all ages how could we not spend the whole day at this beautiful mountain resort.

While our little buddy was taking his morning nap, P and the kids were in the bumper boats (aka vehicles of mass destruction) getting soaked by the water guns and the huge fountain.  It was a little chilly to be drenched but no one complained. I think they were having too much fun ganging up on poor dad!  Let's just say that a certain Miss A has a some killer instincts and her teenage brother could not be more proud.

 

After the crew dried off a little, it was off to the highest elevation Go Kart race in the world or at least that's what the manager said.  Miss A was riding shotgun with P and the big kids were going solo.  We told Mr C not to think that he can drive like that in our vehicle or he'll be paying his own insurance next year when he gets his license.  Miss M appeared to be having a great time until I saw her face up close in the camera; poor girl was petrified and nervous.  She said that the go kart was going "too fast" for her and she was afraid she was going to spin out of control.  I think she was very grateful to see the checkered flag waved for the final lap.

Mr C, of course, was more than willing to go again around the track!

Our next form of fun was the Diggler bike that the kids used to get to N and M's condo a few blocks away.  Miss M is already figuring out where we can buy one for her as a Christmas present, while her younger more sensible sister believes they are a little dangerous.  Isn't it funny how the brave bumper boater is the fearful scooter rider.  Fickle I say!

We then had great lunch with N at her condo and got to catch up all things golf, Mikey and family; I've been privileged to know this lovely young woman since she was a little girl and we just love her. Getting to see all three sisters on one trip was priceless.  We missed seeing N's husband and would have liked more time with all of them, but there is always next year!

Since N is a PGA professional she and Mr C were talking clubs, lesson,s and the upcoming golf season.  Maybe when Miss M comes out next summer to nanny for N's nephews, Mr C could come out and take some private lessons. 

Mikey, of course, quickly became the star of the show.  Miss M once again took on the role as the helper and we got to see how the littlest golfer in the family knows exactly what to do with a golf ball; drop it right in the cup and clap!  I'm thinking this kid has a future in the PGA.  Until then, though, Mr C is willing to take him along on his golf round, but only if he'll drop it right in the hole when it's on the green; no need to putt.

Getting to see great friends/family and enjoy the great beauty of the mountains which can't be beat; but the fun was only beginning.

Keystone: Feeding Fish, Finding the Perfect Ride and Learning You Can't Go Back

As a child, my family use to go to Colorado every summer.  We had a vacation home in Breckenridge that we would visit during ski season and every July to escape the heat at home.  Many of my favorite memories are from things we did together in Colorado from trips to Vail, paddle boat rides on Keystone Lake and ice cream cones in downtown Breckenridge. 

Part of the reason I really wanted to take the kids to Colorado for a family vacation was to create these types of memories with my own kids.  While the vacation P and I planned was very similar to those I took with my own family; it was about making some new memories too. Of course, I couldn't resist "showing off" some of my old haunts. 

In reality, however, you can never really "go back" again.  Things change and you change and those things that seemed so cool to a ten year old in the 1970's aren't really so cool for your own kids in 2012.  Thus was our stop at Keystone Lake!

Those great paddle boat rides of yesteryear are now $16 for a 30 minute spin around a really small lake.  This was not a great deal when you consider we just canoed on a huge lake for much cheaper per minute.  The shops and restaurants that I thought so quaint and fun are now just bars and ski shops with overpriced merchandise.  It was rather disappointing.  But we managed to have fun anyway feeding the fish, playing on the playground, and finding a quadracycle for Mr C to ogle after (this boy really thinks we need one of these!)

Guess you could say I'm glad we were staying in the new part of Keystone and far from the reminder of what use to be and a good lesson really in enjoying the moment instead of trying to recreate something that's better off left in your memory!  I'm just grateful that even in this part we are creating new memories for us to have in our family lore for years to come!

Family Canoe Trip: Who Knew?

I'll be the first to admit it.  We are not really an outdoor family.  Sure we like swimming in the Lake, playing golf and watching our kids play softball/baseball and soccer, but we don't really do the whole camping/outdoor adventure type things.  However, when you are surrounded by moutains and lakes and trails, you just really have to go all out and do things you wouldn't normally!

This explains why on Monday morning we got up early and packed our lunches/water bottles for a day on Lake Dillon for a family canoe trip. Now I'll admit I planned on staying on dry land and taking pictures, but when we got to the Marina the kids begged me to come along.  Thus, we don't have a lot of pictures. I might be willing to go on board a canoe, but I'm not foolish enough to bring a fancy camera on board. 

The joy of having five family members; we need more than one canoe.  We divided up boys and girls;  me and Mr C (with Miss A in the middle enjoying the ride) and P and Miss M in the other. Now, if I were to do this again, I'd go out on the water with my husband and leave the three kids to fend for themselves. 

Let's just say that Mr C for all his "Boy Scout" experience is not a good captain.  I believe that I did most of the rowing on our boat and saved us from tipping or running on dry ground more times than I can count!  According to P, our son was enjoying the ride a little too much.  Add to the fact that Miss A kept rowing against us and it was fun trip.  No wonder we don't do this very often!

Our two hour tour took us to a few islands, around a fun cove area and along the shore.  It was perfect for us to experience the canoe without wearing ourselves out.  Our only suggestion is that next time we are all wearing sand shoes and maybe we'll sign up for the four hour trip expecting to stop along the way for our picnic lunch.

For our maiden voyage, I thought we did very well!  No one stood up; no one got wet and we arrived back on shore with all members and all the oars.  Who knows maybe we are all outdoors family after all.  We had a few more mountain adventures up our sleeve for this week!

We then enjoyed a picnic lunch at the park before heading off to hike a little along the lake at one of my favorite spots: Swan Mountain Road!  There really is no other place or view like there is right  here! 

 

Our Day In Frisco

In addition to a wonderful worship experience in Frisco, we enjoyed a fabulous day wandering the town, enjoying a leisurely brunch, and planning out the rest of our week in the mountains.  A prefect beginning to our entire family being together again.

 A few of the locals suggested that we try out the Butterhorn Bakery on main street for our brunch; and boy did they know what they were talking about. Our only mistake was that we decided the storm clouds overhead would hold off until after we finished our lunch on the outdoor patio.  Blame it on the fact that at home we hadn't seen rain since June! 

We were so happy to see rain that we didn't mind the soaking we got huddled up under the umbrella; Miss A and Miss M did get a little chilly however so the waitress brought us a couple of raincoats for them to get warm under.  Mr C said it was all worth it when the owner brought us a half dozen of their famous cookies to take home!

After lunch, we toured the Frisco Jail at the park dedicated to the founders of the town.  Miss A thought it was hilarious that she could act like the sheriff and lock up her dad and sister.  She didn't like it as much when she was behind bars.  We all decided that while we were glad the gold miners settled in Frisco we weren't convinced any of us would have survived if we were in Frisco back in the beginning.  We are wimps.

A little window shopping and walking about town brought us to the Sweet Shop where a Sunday Afternoon concert was happening out back.  It was the perfect excuse to stop for awhile and enjoy a little ice cream.  Sitting on benches listening to some great jazz music is what vacation is all about!  No need to rush anywhere.

With our afternoon in Frisco over, we headed back to Keystone and little swimming at the pool and Olympic watching ! A perfect day.

Worshipping in the Mountains: I am Blessed

Worshipping God in the Mountains is unlike anything else.  What a blessing it was to our family to be able to go to Sunday Morning worship surround by the majesty and beauty of the mountains, to hear the word preached, and to join in the singing of songs of praise.  It's hard not to see the hand of God at work when you are surrounded by the Mountains and are sitting in the pew with your family during a week of rest!

As we were singing, Mr C commented that the "photos they used as background for the words on the screen were probably taken right outside!  Not like at home where a mountain view could only come from a stock photo." 

Makes you realize how God uses His creation to stir in you the desire to worship Him!  You can feel His presence everywhere in the mountains. 

I can tell you that sitting in church in Frisco Colorado I could feel God at work on my heart.  He reminded me of how blessed I am to be His, how faithful He's been to me, and how my heart is overwhelmed by His Mercies.  How blessed I was to be able to have a husband and three children and ever more that we could all be soaking up this Colorado fun together.

I love this song by Rachael Lampa "I Am Blessed" and now whenever I hear the verse about the Mountains I can take my mind right back to that little church in the heart of the mountains!

 

Mile High City Visit

Our third day on vacation started bright and early!  Like really early. When we left the condo a little before six, Miss A informed us that the sun wasn't even up yet in Colorado!  We were on the road down the mountain to Denver to pick up Mr C who was done with camp.  We would then meet up with our good friends for a day of fun in Denver.

 

At least that was the plan.  Minutes after we drove through the Eisenhower Tunnel, Mr C called to say that his bus got stuck going up the mountain to Woodland Park and that he had no idea when they would be leaving.  Too late for us to turn back.  Guess you could say that our "best laid plans" were now up in the air and that the juice and muffins we had in the back of the car for 68 High School students were now no longer needed.

Thankfully, we are able to adjust plans.  We had donuts once in Denver, went to Walmart and did the majority of our grocery shopping for the week, and then still made it to Mr P and Mr T's micro soccer league.  We got to spend the morning with our good friends (who are essentially family) for the day and thankfully, they were flexible to allow us to come over and hang out while we waited for Mr C's bus.

As a surprise, we planned a little outing to the Denver American Girl Doll store to allow Miss A to pick out her birthday present from us; a "Just Like Me Doll" who she chose to name Jessica.  It was fun to take Miss Katie (I'm her first babysitter) with us and introduce her to all that is AG.  Since she only has nephews, it was a whole new world for her.  She might have been a little shocked, but at least I convinced her not to buy the girls the $300 baby blue convertible!

However, that didn't stop her from spoiling the girls with little gifts; including the most adorable matching pj's for Jessica and Miss A that she's essentially worn every day since.  Miss M's cute high heel shoes for her dolls were put in use immediately too when Jessica sported them on the trip.  Love this young lady and her sisters!

Our final Denver stop was lunch with the whole crew at Hacienda Colorado which is not only P's new favorite Tex Mex restaurant this side of the Rio Grande, but a great place to finally meet up with C.  I think that Miss Julie was a little shocked at how TALL he's gotten lately.  Guess she didn't believe that her former Ring Bearer could be nearly six feet tall.  Lunch was also the perfect place for Miss M to find her newest "boyfriend" Mr Tommy.  I think that Miss M has a standing invitation to be a mother's helper next summer for Pete and Tommy.

All in all it was a fabulous afternoon in the mile high city.  Great friends and great memories and the reuniting of our family.  Now the vacation could really begin.  Miss A and Miss M told their brother that the trip back up the mountains would be one he couldn't imagine.  According to them, it was like driving into paradise.  While he might have been in the mountains for the past week near Colorado Springs, this trip to Keystone would be amazing.

It's hard to imagine a better start to this family adventure!