Colorado Trip: White Water Rafting & My Birthday

On July 9, I turned 41 and we decided that a white water rafting trip would be the most fun way to celebrate my birthday! 

All the girls ready for our rafting trip. 

DJ was the sole brave man going with us. 

We opted for a family trip; it was the easiest float and the time wasn't terribly long to take up our whole day. Even though several of us had been before, we didn't want to spend the entire day, and Adalyn was a little terrified as it was. This float was a perfect beginner float but still fun enough that the girls were all happy. 

We arrived early and watched the other rafters go in and get water. The company we used was right on the river and many of the boats launched right there! We suited up with life jackets, and then had to get in to a van to drive to our launch site.

Loading up to head out. 

Megan was really excited to sit in the front! 

DJ and the guide were both in the back. 

Adalyn started in the middle, but as she got more brave, she opted to paddle and sit on the side. 

Just floating the Arkansas River. 

Our guide stopped and let us float down the river on our backs. The girls went several times; I went once and it was FREEZING!

So, so cold!

Back at the outfitters and the guide took a picture for us. It was at this point that the girls really wanted to keep going and I was sort of wishing we had booked a longer, slightly more difficulty level. 

After our trip, we changed clothes and headed back to downtown B.V. for....

birthday ice cream! 

The ice cream shop had a little play area in the back. The girls ate their ice cream and disappeared back here for a while. 

It was a pretty great way to celebrate turning 41. 

Colorado Campin: St Elmo's

Just about 20 minutes from our campsite in Buena Vista was St. Elmo's; an abandoned mine town that has been restored and is the perfect spot for feeding chipmunks. 

We all loaded up and went to explore this little ghost town.

Right at the front was a chipmunk area where you could sit and feed chipmunks to your hearts desire. We had brought some sunflower seeds, but by the time we had arrived the general store was closed. My brother and the girls came back up here several times while we were here because they loved it so much! 

While everyone fed chipmunks, I walked the little town. I have this thing for quaint, old towns and historial buildings. 

Sleepy little mountain towns are just the cutest, and this felt like we were on some sort of movie set. 

There were even hummingbird feeders outside of the general store, and hummingbirds were flying everywhere! We managed to get some great pictures and video of these birds and had to dodge some of them too! 

Meanwhile, the girls were having the time of their lives feeding chipmunks. 

They sat so patiently and had chipmunks crawling all over them! At one point, I think my brother had one on his head, but even though they would come up and eat out of your hands, they were still a little skittish. 

We spent a good two hours here, and then went for a little drive to see the rest of the town. People do still live here, but there's just not much to it. Many of the buildings have been restored by a historical society, but most of the town has been abandoned. 

We even saw two moose in the field during our drive! 

Colorado Trip: Buena Vista

After we left the Gunnison area, we drove over the mountains to Buena Vista. 

We reached Monarch pass and stopped at the visitor's center. 

Megan has had an obsession with Smokey bear since she was little, so she was excited to see him and take a picture! 

There was an actual ski lift here to the top, but it was so windy that it had to be closed for safety reasons, so this is the best we could do. 

We finished our drive over, and arrived a little before 2. Unfortunately, the campers in our site hadn't pulled out yet, so we had to wait for them to not only return back to camp but to pack up their stuff and move. So it was a bit of a hastle. We were early, they were late. 

Once we got unpacked and settled, we opted to spend the rest of the day relaxing and let the girls play. 

We hung our hammocks in the trees and read and relaxed. Meanwhile, Megan was climbing the trees. 

She got pretty high up and I was super nervous that a limb would snap or she'd fall and break an arm. 

But the views sure were pretty. 

The girls collected rocks, got out the markers and started painting rocks to hide around the campground. 

I made a rock too. 

DJ set up a great little outdoor area with the pop up canopy, chairs and a table. 

We ate dinner, had a fire because the mosquitoes were awful, and called it a night. 

The next day, we were up for breakfast- a huge thanks to my brother for cooking most of the trip! 

My brother and parents went to the headwaters of the Arkansas River, and we opted to stay closer and explore Buena Vista. 

There was an old car show happening downtown, so that was fun to explore.

Buena Vista is more of a town with just a few touristy shops and boutiques. But the town was super cute.

There was a building named "Pearl" so of course I had to take a picture of the girls in front of it- all of their names have the meaning of Pearl. 

We walked the car show, had lunch at a great pizza restaurant, found a little park, and just explored the town. 

There was an area where you could walk down to the river, and paddleboard or canoe. 

Of course we found rocks to climb. 

And how fun is this outdoor living room. It reminded me of the Friends coffee shop. 

A little exploring at the Arkansas River

Near our campground was a waterfall, so on the drive back, we got out to explore it as well! The water was rushing! 

 

Back to School!

The girls have been back to school for a while, and honestly, this year, I wasn't ready for school to start. Summer flew by and I think I was dreding the school year starting because that means it's busy season for us. But, we are already a month in and the girls are all doing really well! Adalyn is loving school so much better than she did last year, and I really think her teachers are making all the difference! 

We went to her meet the teacher night the night before school started. 

Her teacher was a high school science teacher and moved down to 5th grade! I'm sure it's a big adjustment for her! 

Adalyn's friend Ria isn't in the same class, but they're hanging out a lot and having so much fun! 

We survived meet the teacher and we are ready for 5th grade! I can't believe it's our last year in elementary school! 

Happy 1st day of school!

Adalyn was up bright and early and ready for school! 

I managed to get a picture of all 3 girls in the morning which is a surprise since they all have different start times. But honestly, they were up so early the first week of school! 

Megan's ready for 7th grade!! Her schedule was a little bit of a mess, but it all worked out and she has off campus pe again this year and is excited for cheerleading! 

DJ was able to go with us the first day of school. We rode bikes and helped Adalyn lock her bike up.

Walking her in....

And all the way to her class; she was not thrilled- ha! 

By the time we got home, Megan was gone- so I'm glad I snapped her picture....

And Gretchen was ready for her sophomore year!!! Her schedule was a huge mess, but after a few weeks of waiting, it was adjusted and is pretty much a great fit for her; she's really excited about a few of her classes this year, and 11th grade english!