We were there for 10 days, and yes folks, we camped in a tent the old school way. Of course we got the biggest tent they sell, and everyone had air mattresses so it was pretty comfy. The days were in the high 60's someday's reaching the low 70's and the nights were in the low 40's and some nights getting down to the high 30's. We did get to experience a serve Thunder storm one night, and were hoping and praying our tent was water proof and it was, so we all stayed dry. It was scary and exciting at the same time to hear the thunder so close. The lighting on the other hand looked like paparazzi's were outside our tent, and falling asleep to the sound of rain is always calming and comforting. The night before we experienced a wind storm and in the middle of the night our canopy flew away, but luckily for us it was caught on a tree, so it gave Brandon and I some time to get out of the tent and get it. Other than that the weather was prefect and wish I could have brought it back here with us to Texas.
Our drive up to Colorado was better than expected. We left around 10pm and drove through the night reaching Amarillo by daylight. We stopped off and ate breakfast, then visited Cadillac Ranch. It's the only place you can buy spray paint and spray paint the cars. The kids had fun, and it was a good break in our first day of traveling. We drove through the tip of New Mexico and then made it up to Colorado around 2p, we stopped to have lunch and then were on our way again. We got lost in Colorado Springs looking for Costco, but then finally found it, filled up and headed north. I really thought Colorado Springs was a much nicer place but I was wrong. It still looks very much like the desert. Driving along we passed by the Air Force Academy, and through Denver, which is very nice. We got to see the Mile High Stadium where the Broncos play and not long after Denver we reached Jellystone Park. When we arrived we were racing the sun, trying to set up camp. The first night and every night after that actually, Brycen started the fire for us, and after dinner we had smores, which is a hit with everyone.
We did many activities around the camp ground, which kept us pretty busy. We enjoyed, swimming, hiking, building a fort, horseshoe tournaments, Candy bar bingo, craft time, movie time, mini golf, playing pool, treasure hunts, getting tattooed, the ice cream man, and of course getting to raise the flag every morning and evening with Yogi Bear. After raising the flag the kids got to do the Yogi Pokey. They also had a huge playground and were there often with all the other campers children.
The first day after we arrived, when visited the town of Estes Park. I would love to live there, it truly is a nice place. A couple days into our trip we took the kids fishing. Brycen caught the first fish in 5 minutes, and because Brandon has no fishing ability whatsoever Brycen helped the little kids catch there fish. It took Brycen 1 hr to catch 3 fish and it took Brandon 1 hr to catch one. Brycen caught the smallest fish which was a Rainbow trout, and Braden the biggest fish being a Brook trout, Daddy and Aubrynn also caught Brook Trouts as well. We had them cleaned and put on ice so later in the day we could cook them up for dinner. The kids really enjoyed doing this.
On Wednesday after we arrived we took an off road tour with a company called Rocky Mountain Rush. We'll definitely be doing that again next year. The kids had so much fun, and Aurbynn kept yelling "go faster". It was a 3 hr off road tour and we went rock crawling, going up steep hills and roads, and got to explore the Roosevelt National Forest. After reaching the top of the forest there was a look out point where we took pictures, and had some refreshments. Of course it was super cold up there and here I am the dummy in shorts and flip flops. Our ride back down was by far the best part of the trip. It was extreme off roading and now were all hooked for life.
On Friday we went horseback riding, and the kids were stoked. Braden was in the front of the pack, Aubrynn in the middle, and of course Brycen, Brandon and myself were in the back. It was an hour long ride, and I swear my bottom was going to hurt the next day, but surprisingly it didn't. The kids can't wait to do it again, were definitely going to have to find somewhere here close to us to ride again.
We also enjoyed some different restaurants, one horrible Mexican restaurant called The Grumpy Gringo, a fantastic one called the Grande Cantina. We also tried this famous donut joint, which I can't recall the name of right now and when we got there at 9am they were almost out of donuts, crazy huh? We had some Colorado BBQ, and though it was okay, (there BBQ sauce was off the hook) it doesn't compare to Texas BBQ. I did discover the best pizza ever at a Beer Brewery. Brandon really enjoyed it because they had free beer tasting downstairs under the restaurant, and it was pretty cool how the restaurant over looked the Brewery. We found the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and got different caramel apples for everyone, they even had diabetic candy and I got tons of it, I even went back another day to get more.. :)
The first day there when visiting the Town of Estes Park, we were going to do the Ariel Tramway, but it was close for the season, so we ended up walking around, visiting different shops and the fun center. Everyone but me went on this super slide, and everyone came off with injuries, Aubrynn the worst. I still don't know how she did it, but she skinned her chin coming down and at first it didn't look bad but the next day she had this huge scab on her chin, and later in the morning as she was playing on the playground the tire swing popped her in the chin and it tore the scab open and she bleed everywhere, so for the majority of the trip she has a ban-aide on in every picture.
Our last Saturday was quite fun, we hung around the campsite in the morning then decided to rent a fishing boat and go out on Lake Estes, it was fun but Aubrynn was terrified, so after a while I got off with the little ones and took them on a peddle bike ride around the lake while Daddy and Brycen continued to enjoy the boat.
On the last Sunday of our trip we drove up to Fort Collins where we meet my friend Jennifer and her daughters for dinner. We had a great time reconnecting and meeting each others families. On our way back up to Estes Park we stopped off at a carnival on the side of the rode, for a couple of rides. It was fun, and gave us a break from driving. Oh on the way down and back up, we had to drive along side this huge raging river called The Big Thompson River, and it was quite scary, but super beautiful so it wasn't that bad.
On our last day, we decided to drive through and explore the Rocky Mountain National Park. Can you say BEAUTIFUL? There was still tons of snow up there and even 24ft in some areas, we reached the highest level of elevation we could go which was 12,090ft. Talk about air depletion, we were getting light headed just driving. We did stop off and play in the snow a bit, but didn't bring our jackets so it was pretty cold. I did get some amazing pictures though, but they don't do it any justice. After driving for a while we decided to visit Snowy Peaks Winery, and Brycen went across the street to enjoy the go-carts. They had an amazing play area for the kids which kept them entertained while Brandon and I were wine tasting. Our favorite was by far the Sweet Riesling so we bought a bottle to take home with us. The kids even got to do there own cider tasting and decided they liked the Blackberry Cider the best so we bought them one to take home as well. After wine tasting we had dinner then decided to go explore the glacier basin, it was such a beautiful drive and we dead ended at Bear Lake, which was still snow covered in places and I got the perfect family photo.
On our drive back home we stopped off to surprise my dear friend June and her girls. It was so much fun catching up. We got to see the newly married couple Aaron and Chelsea, then went to a late lunch at yet another BBQ place which had the best wrap I have ever had. Shortly after lunch we got back on the road. As we passed Oklahoma University Brandon opened the sunroof and shot out the horns, it was comical. We finally made it to In-n-Out in Frisco TX, at midnight. I love that place and can't wait until they build one here in San Antonio. We finally got home about 6:30a and unloaded the back of the trailer cage, and all went to sleep.
This was by far my most favorite vacation I'd ever been on. I can't wait to go back next year, and am excited some friends will be going us. The little ones really miss Yogi Bear, and can't to Yogi Pokey down next year.
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