Colorado Springs-Part III

On the second day we headed out of Colorado Springs to Royal Gorge.  The price of admission included unlimited rides across the gorge in a gondola.

The views were amazing!

The three pictures above were taken from the gondola.  It seemed too beautiful to be real.  I often found myself thinking, "How did God come up with this?  It is just so overwhelmingly beautiful!"

The girls and I crossed the bridge without Michael.  He lost his glasses and decided to retrace his steps, so rode the gondola back to the other side. The girls and I kept on going.  In my opinion he missed out big time.

Again, AMAZING!

Here are our favorites from the trip. Kate's favorite part was purchasing an overpriced rock from the Royal Gorge gift shop.  Liz's favorite was swimming in the hotel pool.  Michael's favorite part was not shaving for four days!  I think he was channelIing his inner mountain man.  

I have so many favorites.  Maybe it was the 16 times Liz asked if we were there yet before we were even on I-80.  Or, when Kate had a meltdown because we bought Liz a pair of flip flops and not her.  (I'm still hearing about that).  I really, really liked that the hotel room actually was two rooms and each had its own TV!  This meant Michael and I slept separately from the girls and when they got up in the morning, they could just watch TV.  Yes, staying at Embassy Suites was definitely a game changer.  If we travel again, there must be two rooms separated by a door and each must have its own TV!!  Anyway, I digress... I really enjoyed Garden of the Gods and could have spent the whole day hiking different paths.  I also enjoyed the frigid temperature of the pool at the hotel.  Royal Gorge was stunning and I was pleasantly surprised by how unaware the girls were of being 1,000 feet in the air with just a cable bridge under our feet.  This just goes to show that the lure of soft serve ice cream and the gift shop was all consuming.  I also thought Michael did a great job of navigating (see yesterday's post about Mount Baldy.  Also, did I mention that Michael likes to look at the phone GPS while driving on the interstate?  It is one of his best travel qualities.  And, he often stops in the middle of roads, to be sure we are headed in the right direction.  Oh don't worry, he puts on his flashers.) Pike's Peak was amazing as well.  Even though the altitude made it hard to breathe and our ears were popping, I'd do it again and hope to make it all the way to the top.  And, did I mention Kate was car sick on the ride home. I guess, what all this rambling is saying, is that I LOVED it all!  Travelling is hard.  Travelling with Michael is even harder.  Travelling with Michael and Kate and Liz is the hardest.  BUT, it was worth it.  Thank you Michael for planning this trip!

Colorado Springs-Part II

After Garden of the Gods, we drove up Pike's Peak. The drive up is 19 miles, however, we were only allowed up to mile 16.  After that point  the snow and fog/clouds were too dense.

I am not sure what the elevation was at mile 16, but both Michael and I commented that we were breathing harder than normal.  Even though the temperature was around 45 degrees, it didn't feel cold.  The Park Ranger told us that the UV rays were extremely strong and said he applied sunscreen often.

Only Michael and I got out of the car at mile 16.  Liz was sleeping soundly. Kate appeared to be in a trance due to the lack of oxygen at the high altitude.  Her eyes were open and she responded to our questions in one word answers.  She would occasionally blink and sometimes nod.  Strange!

The variation in the environment as we descended Pike's Peak was fascinating.  Rough, barren and grim at the higher altitudes versus lush and vibrant lower down.

***

Later the same day, we went for a drive.  I call it a drive because in my opinion we were just driving with an unknown goal/destination.  I'll try to explain.  Michael had heard from a co-worker that the view from Mount Baldy was spectacular.  Michael said he did his research and it was only 5 miles from our current location.  So, I agreed that we should go to Mount Baldy.  Michael then told me that to get to Mount Baldy we would be driving off road.  "Oh...." I said.  An hour later after driving up a windy, bumpy and narrow mountain road, I became suspicious and doubtful.  What did Michael know about this co-worker?  Did he dislike Michael? Why weren't there any signs?  Um, haven't we already driven 5 miles?  Occasionally we would be passed by road worthy vehicles, that seemed to know exactly where they were going.  Michael kept checking GPS.  For what, I am not sure.  Every time I looked at GPS I saw an unnamed road winding to no where.

We did come across a lookout point with a great view of Colorado Springs!  Was this Mount Baldy?  I tried to convince Michael.  He was not convinced.  He continued to intently study GPS while scratching his head and rubbing his chin.  Meanwhile the girls and I explored the area.

After the unnamed lookout point, Michael convinced us to drive on.  The road began to be less manageable; we were all bumping up and down and being jostled to and fro.  I finally lost my cool and jokingly suggested that we turn around when we passed some men shooting at targets.  (Apparently that is where the road worthy vehicles were headed; deep into the mountain to shoot off firearms).  I did not find comfort in the fact that we were on an unnamed road, headed to an unnamed lookout point, which was very likely also a makeshift firing range.  Michael graciously turned the truck around and we headed back down the mountain!

This was the view as we drove back down the unnamed road.  

Liz was being dramatic in this picture.  However, it accurately portrays my inner turmoil while looking for Mount Baldy.  I felt like a small, helpless child who wanted to curl into the fetal position and rock myself to sleep.

Colorado Springs-Part I

On the first day in Colorado Springs we went to Garden of the Gods.  

Even though it was raining, the girls enjoyed hiking on the rocks.
How ridiculous/cute do these two look tramping across rocks with their pink umbrellas?!

Liz and her outfit choices.  

Of course, when one is going hiking one should wear unicorn leggings and a leopard jacket to cover one's sundress.  

Additionally, an accessory of a stylish umbrella is a must for rainy conditions.

First day of 1st grade

The morning of the first day of school started with a bit of a shock; it was cold outside!

We dropped Liz off at daycare and then Kate and I walked to school.

Kate was mildly annoyed that we were walking. I lost track of the number of times she asked why we couldn't drive.

I was able to walk her in to her classroom where we found her cubby and got her situated at her desk.

I gave her a hug and kiss and left.  Curiosity got the best of me when I was only a few steps out of the room.  I turned around to sneak a peek to be sure she was okay.  When I saw she wasn't crying I had to take a picture!

After two days of first grade, it seems like we are off to a good start. However, Kate is already lamenting the fact that she has homework every night whereas, in kindergarten it was just once a week.

liz's many faces: part iv

Liz has a distinctive facial expression for everything.

If you want to reminisce, here are past posts:

liz's many faces

liz's many faces: part ii

liz's many faces: part iii

Two Rivers: Year 2

We headed out to Two Rivers State Park on the afternoon of the 4th. The girls were exhausted from a late night of fireworks the previous night.

 I was relieved when they both passed out as we were driving down 84th St.

 The first order of business was checking in, changing into swimsuits and ice cream cones!

 The Platte River was fuller than last, but not too deep or too strong for the girls.  
They LOVE splashing and wading. 

Kate was showing me her sand beard.  After swimming in the river the girls have sand everywhere.  I mean everywhere!  

Before dinner, the girls rode their bikes around the caboose park.  
Look, Kate is riding without training wheels!

 Grandpa Joe taught Liz how to roast marshmallows.

But, when it was time to try eat, Liz wasn't quite so sure.  Her eyebrows tell the story.

After dinner with grandpa and grandma, Kate, Michael and Grandma played Princess Bingo.
***

The first night in the caboose was rough.  It stormed and woke everyone up.  Then, Kate had the hardest time falling back to sleep due to the bug bites she got earlier in the evening.   It took us awhile to get into stride on day two.  We were all tired and itchy.  It was wet and overcast out.  Michael suggested we go to the outlet malls!  Retail therapy was exactly what the three girls needed! 

By the time we got back to the park, the sun was shinning and it was perfect swimming weather. 

 This year we tried out the small swimming lake.  Once the girls adjusted to the cool water, they had lots of fun digging holes and filling them with water.

 After spending time at the lake, we went over to the Platte River.  I don't have any pictures because we decided to wade to one of the sand bars and I didn't risk carrying the camera.  *Disclaimer -- it was never more than knee deep for the girls and the current was mild.*  

We had the sand bar all to ourselves. The girls ran wild and Michael and I soaked up the sun. It was a wonderful afternoon.

I am sure we will be back next year!