Colorado and Utah Adventure: May 20, 2010

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)

The cinnamon rolls this morning did not disappoint.  Especially

after feeding Campbell and 4 and Graham deciding that the bathroom was not a great place to sleep at 4:30.  He did sleep a little while longer in our bed.  When we did start waking up, we dressed the kids and sent them to breakfast since they can pretty much fend for themselves…and since Grannymom was there too. 

We were on the road by 8:30ish and headed out of Gunnison towards the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  I read that it is call Black Canyon because due to the angles of the cliffs some areas never get any sun and are always in the shade-thus a black canyon.  But we never saw anything like that.  What we did see was absolutely beautiful.  When we pulled of at an overlook, Anderson said “oh, the Grand Canyon” and it truly was that dramatic.  We drove around the South Rim road and then needed a picnic stop. 

The ranger suggested driving the 5 miles to the bottom of the canyon by the river.  I doubted this suggestion and imagined us driving down something like Pike’s Peak…and it was pretty close to this but we made it and it was well worth the drive.  The picnic spot was right by the Gunnison river.  The kids threw sticks into the river and watched the current sweep them away.  Our picnic was much warmer today than yesterday so we were able to enjoy our sandwiches. 

Every time we looked up, there was something different to see-snow covered mountains, red rocks, rivers, lakes.  At one time today, we were driving by a lake and Anderson mentioned that he wanted Robby to buy him a ship and he wanted to go on a ship.  I convinced him that a Disney Cruise is what he would like to do.  It was a beautiful drive and we were quickly at our next stop.  The Dinosaur Adventure in Fruita near the border of Colorado.  The museum was a little light but the kids did enjoy digging for dinosaur bones, feeling an earthquake, making dino tracks and even watching some animatronic dinos-one even spit at you! (“Spit” is what Graham said when we asked him about the dinosaurs).  Beside the dino place was a huge McDonalds with a play place and this caught Reagan’s eye and she was ready to go.  Robby made a deal with her that after one more stop we would come back by there so she was in the car waiting to go to the Colorado National Monument before everyone else.   

We had talked about the how there is beautiful scenery everywhere and you don’t even know about it.  I had assumed that the Colorado National Monument was a statue of some guy on a horse but it is tall cliffs, dropoffs and rock formations.  Actually, we missed the turnoffs since both of our car loads were so busy admiring the huge houses beside the road.  We were able to easily find it and it was well worth the hunt.  The drive to the Visitor Center took us through two tunnels so they kids were pretty thrilled about that.  After a short hike and a back picture we drove back down the mountain. 

McDonalds was our supper and the kids played until they were pretty worn out.  Graham was so proud of himself for making it up to the top of the slide and Campbell was pretty excited to be out of the car seat and sitting up in her stroller-she was able to watch all of the action.  After supper, we had about 80 more minutes in the car.  The drive over into Utah was again gorgeous.  The kids don’t enjoy the scenery as much as we do but everyone once in awhile Reagan will scream out “snow, snow” or Graham will see cows or horses.  Anderson just keeps his eyes peeled for boats, trains, planes and trucks. 

Our hotel tonight is in Green River, Utah and it is not as “opulent” as last nights-mainly because we don’t have a refrigerator but we will manage.  The pool however was bath water warm and the kids were ready to swim.  I sat them down with a cookie in Grannymom’s room while we tried to unload quickly.  Before we could get the floaties all blown up, they were beating down the door to put on their bathing suits. 

This was Campbell’s first time to go swimming and she is still a little small for her floatie so someone had to hold onto her.  But she kicked her feet and waved her arms the entire time.  Graham didn’t really like his big floatie but didn’t want to be held either-he wasn’t really sure about what he wanted.  Reagan put on her armies and did great.  Anderson however, gets the most improved award-last year he was scared wearing the armies but this time he did pretty good.  He became a little braver and would briefly let go of us-briefly!

After baths for everyone and nighttime snacks, we are all in bed.  The girls are sleeping soundly but the boys are taking turns coughing.  We attempted to give Anderson some medicine but after a few gags and then a big mess we decided it wasn’t worth it.  Our plan tomorrow is Arches and Canyonland National Parks…and Reagan would then add swimming to the list!

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