Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
The skies were clear this morning when we woke up so we were looking forward to our drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. We ate breakfast and loaded up the van and moved on. Our kids are quite in the car or very, very talkative and this morning everyone was fairly quiet. Grannymom and Grandpa said that Graham was very quiet but spent his time looking out of the windows at the rocks and streams. Anderson was so excited about going through the tunnel today-he could hardly contain himself and asked us if we could see the tunnel yet every ten seconds for at least 10 minutes. Our first stop was for gas and potty breaks and then we were back on the road.
I had never been through I-70 when there wasn’t snow on the ground and again it was a beautiful drive. We didn’t make it to much longer before we needed an ice cream stop. McDonalds had a nice large eat outside area and then kids enjoyed eating out there. Reagan then jumped in Grandpa’s car and we had Campbell and the boys. This is how the conversation went in our car…
Anderson: Look at the big dump truck.
Graham: Huh?
Anderson: Look at the big dump truck.
Graham: Huh?
Anderson: Look at the big dump truck.
Graham: Huh?
…and this conversation continued for a very long time. Robby and I could not contain our laughter. Soon, we were at Estes Park and I ran in the Visitor Center to make sure we were headed in the right direction. In a few miles, we were at Rocky Mountain National Park. We stopped at the Visitor Center and it was very chilly there. We decided that we would drive up to Bear Lake to see the lake. There was even a paved mile hike that I had thought about doing along with our picnic. We thought it might be a perfect spot. But on our way up the mountain, it started snowing a little and then it became harder and harder. The wind was blowing and the snow was crazy. It was near blizzard like conditions! (remember we had ice cream outside earlier in the day).
We made it up the mountain and decided that a picnic and walk weren’t for today but we didn’t want to see the lake. Virginia jumped in our van with the baby and I tried to wake Anderson up (he was in James’ car) When I opened his door, the snow started pouring in our him, he jumped and told Mom that he did not want to go! We bundled up Reagan and Graham and headed on our way. The snow was packed on the path and the lake was frozen over but the wind and the snow made it miserable. We ran to the lake so we could get our picture-the entire time, Graham cried and wanted Robby to hold him!
Back in the car, Robby opened up one of the van doors and the snow flooded in-mainly on Campbell. Reagan said that she smiled but Mom had to clean the snow off of her hair! We took another path out of the park and on the way we encountered a herd of elk. First we saw about 8 cross the road and soon another 8 or so came and crossed the road behind the first group. Cars were pulled over everywhere to watch them. Also, while in Estes Park we had seen some walking through a park near their downtown area.
We stopped again at Estes Park for lunch. They have a quaint downtown which I would have loved to walk around…except the crazy wind and light snow. We just have our light jackets and a sweatshirt for the kids. The drive out of the mountain followed a river on one side and mountains on both sides. The snow had calmed down so we were able to see and it was picturesque.
I want to rent a cabin along that road someday and just sit and watch the water. I will put that on my list…. Speaking of lists. We checked into Robby’s train ride that I mentioned yesterday and it is quite pricey. As in, it has now been scratched off of the list! Oh, well, it couldn’t get any prettier than what we have already seen on this trip.
Before long we were at our hotel for the night. We made it here around 4:30 (I think). The pool was first on the kids list since this will be there last time to swim for awhile. We all put on our suits and again the pool was just too cool. Anderson did convince Robby to get in so they swam along with Graham who was in and out of the pool and hot tub. Reagan stayed in the hot tub with Grannymom and Grandpa. Again, Campbell didn’t get to swim since the pool was too cold and the hot tub was too hot. She didn’t seem to care and sat in her stroller and kicked and squealed. Graham kept us all on our toes keeping up with him. Robby would throw him up in the air and then catch him and even letting his head go under the water while doing this-and it didn’t phase him at all. I am buying him a life jacket when we get home since he has no fear!…maybe even 2 life jackets!
After baths, we headed to Grannymom’s room to have our last picnic. The bread is about to run out. Oh, a little tidbit about eating bread in this neck of the woods-if you eat it outside, it will become hard within just a few minutes. So most of our picnics have involved stiff bread but not this one since we were inside. Poor people around here can’t have picnics. We did finish off most of our picnic food and saved a few snacks for tomorrow.
Graham’s pack n play is behind the little loveseat tonight since the bathroom is too small for it. Campbell is now in the bathroom but I will probably move her later (she doesn’t feel bad but she definitely has the boys cold-they are on the mend) Reagan and Anderson are sitting in the floor by the door each watching a movie. They are actually sitting on each side of me-so I am heading 2 different movies and trying to write so please excuse any parts that didn’t make sense!
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