Colorado - Post #5 - Gunnison KOA

Those wildfires made Colorado Springs almost intolerable. A couple days were very smoky! So we decided to check out early and head west. The woman at the front desk of the Colorado Springs KOA thanked me for checking out early because they had a steady stream of evacuees coming in. Not the best timing for a vacation, but I'm so thankful it was just our vacation that was altered by the fires, not our livelihood.

 Gunnison Colorado KOA - It was lush. We could see the mountains. It was about 25 degrees cooler. And the owner gave us a demonstration on his homemade trebuchet. (I think Dave and Corey enjoyed it more than the kids.) Deciding to pack up and drive 3 hours west was a good move.

 We were able to have a campfire on our first night at Gunnison. The only campfire we did the whole trip. (A burn ban started in Gunnison the next day.)

 Everybody around the campfire. Our camper was right by Dave and Jen's cabin. The kids had a ball together!

Movie before bed.

Colorado - Post #4 - Olympic Training Center

 We vacationed with our friends, Dave and Jen. All seven kids posed in the Olympic rings.

 All the kids in a bobsled.

 Carter and Owen posing under a photo of one of their favorite basketball players, Dwyane Wade.

One of the guys training gave the boys a high five.

Colorado - Post #3 - Cripple Creek

Since Pike's Peak was closed and we couldn't do the cograil, we spent a day at Cripple Creek where we road this train, visited a free museum and took a little hike. It took us 2 1/2 hours to drive to Cripple Creek, but Corey discovered a little one lane dirt road through the mountains that we took back to the campground cutting an hour off of our drive. It reminded me of a wide hiking trail. The scenary was beautiful the whole way through.

 The boys outside of the museum at Cripple Creek.

Our hike in the hills surrounding Cripple Creek.

 A tire from one of the huge dump trucks at the gold mine.

 Echo Valley

Colorado - Post #2 - 4 Ways to Cool Off

 Between the smoke, the 100+ temps and the ash that was sprinkling on us one morning, to say we were hot and uncomfortable is an understatement. But there were ways to make it bearable. (Somehow it didn't bother the boys nearly as much as it did us.)

 #1- Play in the creek. The heat didn't seem to bother the boys when they were exploring the creek.

 #2 - Pour cold water over your head. It was 105 degrees at Royal Gorge. I thought my flip-flops were going to melt right into the asphalt.

 #3 - Swim in the campground pool. The kids spent a lot of time in there.

#4 - Wear a wet towel on your head. May not be too fashionable, but it worked for Corey.

Most Memorable Vacation Ever - Colorado Springs - Post #1

The fires we saw as we drove into Colorado Springs. The wildfire that ended up burning about 350 homes to the ground started sometime between the time we left Huxley and the time we arrived in Colorado. We had no idea as we took a photo of this smoke that it would completely alter our vacation plans.

The boys heading down the Royal Gorge in a 45 degree angle elevator. Royal Gorge was not in our original plan. Come to think of it, very little of what we did was in our original plan.

Our family on the Royal Gorge bridge.

Owen checking out the Gorge from an overlook.

Walking the bridge.

Zoo Trip

Our second and final trip to Blank Park Zoo for the summer. I had to do something to keep Owen occupied when we weren't sure about his arm. It's not broken by the way. He was jumping his bike off a homemade ramp yesterday, so I'd say he's back to normal. 

A Few Days in Fremont

 Carter and Garrett trying to beat Corey and Amina at badminton.

Check out his moves.  The Badminton King :)

Birthday Cake. Can't believe Garrett is 12!!

Lewis and Zorra. Garrett and Ian's puppy was the highlight of the trip for Lewis. If I could have a cute dog like that and didn't have to feed it or take it to the vet or clean up its poop, I might consider getting a dog.