Family Vacation 2017: Colorado

COLORADO

In June; Mom, Dad, Shannon, Steve, Kaelan, Colyn, Kaleigh and the 4 of us went to Granby, Colorado for a week long family vacation.  We drove all 3 vehicles and it took us about 12 hours to get there.  It was good to get away together and hopefully make memories with the kids that they'll remember for a long time.

C is for cliffs.  The cliffs were stunning to look up at on our rafting ride down the Colorado River and also fun for those brave enough to jump into the freezing water from.  Our guide was from Iowa and was awesome!  He told so many great stories and really tried to get to know us.  Everyone loved the rapids, except for Lanie, but even by the end she wanted to paddle and was getting into it.  Even though it was pretty expensive, Matthew and I agreed it was one of the best parts of the vacation and we wish it had been longer and rougher.

O is for outstanding place to stay.  We rented a townhome from Air BnB for all 11 of us to stay in.  It was up in the mountains a little ways but very convenient to get anything from Granby.  There were 4 bedrooms, nice size living room, and kitchen for all of us.  We enjoyed many nights relaxing on the front or back deck, back patio or hot tub.

L is for laid back horse back riding.  We went on a horse ride at the YMCA of the Rockies that included breakfast our very first morning in Colorado.  Mom and Dad met us at breakfast by taking the wagon train.  Our guide was fabulous and patient with all of us.  It was awesome actually being IN the mountains rather than just looking up at them.  We also played mini-golf, roller skated, swam, played basketball and had a picnic.

O is for out of sight views in Colorado.  The mountains never cease to amaze these Native Iowans:)  

R is for Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was great going to another National Park and being able to remember last year's National Park road trip.  Rocky Mountain had lots more snow covered mountains and lots less cars, but was still stunning.  I did not miss the sulfur smell either:)  

A is for All Aboard the Georgetown Train.  We went on the train our last day in Colorado.  It was relaxing sitting on the open air train cars looking around at the beautiful trees and mountains.  The train stopped half way and let us off for a mining tour and lunch.  Kaelan got to help mine and then we all got to pan for gold with experts and take home what we found.

D is for distance.  We racked up some distance in our hiking.  Matthew and I were of course lovin' it, but it didn't take long to wear the kids out.  On one of the hikes we lost mom, literally!   She stopped for awhile to catch her breath and we kept going.  Somehow we missed her going up when we were going down and when we got back to the car, she wasn't with dad.  I was scared out of my mind!!  I took off running, nearly made it back to the top of the waterfall and found her, smiling and proud:)

O is for observing animals.  On our way into RMNP every time we stopped to get out Dad would say, "Did you see the elk?" And we'd always say no, but how did you?!  But finally on the back side of the park and then on the way home that afternoon we saw lots:)   One time we even saw a mom and baby elk only 20 feet from us! Our last stop in the park we saw a field of elk, dad counted over 40 of them!