Dar and Sean Visit

Dar and Sean came out again this summer! On our first night we met Dawn and Sean downtown and did an Escape Room.  We didn't get out in time but had a blast! The next day we had Becky and Arek over for a barbecue.  On the third day Dar and Sean watched the kids while Dan and I went on our annual anniversary getaway.

We had planned to go up to the mountains but there was a fire making the air super smoky. So we decided to go east, something we have never done.  Our first stop was Burlington and the Old Town Museum. It was a very cute, clean town where all the buildings and been moved from surrounding cities and place here to create an old town.

This was the antenna for the telegraph office.

I don't like when I go in a bank and the teller windows are behind glass, but I didn't realize that it started back in the Wild West.

This machine was used to make hair permanents.

Post office boxes used to have combination locks.

I have only seen sod houses built into hills, not freestanding like this.

This Last Supper picture hangs behind the alter of the church and was hand crocheted.

All of the buildings were open to walk through. Most of them had a prerecorded explanation of how things worked that you could listen to. This house was fully decorated in the period.

This was a child's hearse. Sad that in those days there were enough deceased children to warrant this.

The box bottom of the covered wagon was much deeper than I imagined.

First time seeing a chuck wagon.

Astronaut Mike Lounge was from Burlington and before he went up into space everyone in the town signed this.

Across the street I loved this old amory building.  It just sold last year.

Next, we checked into our bed and breakfast, a newer mansion that had been built 20 years ago specifically to be a bed and breakfast. It is also a winery. They don't grow the grapes here, just make the wine.

Before dinner we checked out the Catholic church across the street. I had seen the sign for the prayer garden and wanted to check it out. 

It was actually made up of four circles of sidewalks. For each sidewalk, there were five stations that corresponded to the mysteries of the rosary, glorious, joyful, sorrowful, and luminous.

And on the other side of the church were Stations of the Cross.

We checked out the theater at the inn when we got back. I'm sure this video collection was amazing twenty years ago!

We got to choose dinner time because we were the only guests!

I requested no meat and the chef complied. The owners are two men, one is the chef and the other is the winemaker.

If not for a fire, we would never have discovered this little corner of Colorado!

Once we got back, we toured the Denver mint with Bill and Dawn and had a picnic at the park with Becky and Arek as well as Nicole and Jason.

The next day Dar and I left on our road trip!

Snow Mountain Lodge

For the Fourth of July weekend we decided to go up to the mountains. I have heard over the years about the YMCA facilities and wanted to try them. We were not disappointed! Well, maybe except for the fact that the lodge rooms were way overdo for an update. We wanted to stay in a cabin but they were all booked by the time we called.  I guess that's what happens when you decide to go away for a holiday just a few days before the holiday!

We go there before Becky and Arek and the girls decided they wanted to go skating.

Yes, they still had their face paint on, sort-of, from the night before.

Everyday there was Gaga Ball. Mia loved it! It was a kind of dodge ball.

Rock climbing was so much fun, they went twice! You can't beat $5 for an hour of climbing!

Anna beat Mia to the top as she chose the easy one. Mia challenged herself a little more, but eventually did go over to the easy one so she could press the alarm button at the top!

In the winter there is dog-sledding, but they still let you pet the dogs in the summer.

Skipping stone while we waited for our turn to canoe.  

Canoeing was fun for everyone except Oli who HATED his life jacket!

Hiking with the alpacas was a highlight for all the kids!

On the second night there was a family magician. Maks thought he was hilarious!

Mia got called up to participate! She got nervous and couldn't remember where she lived (Parker) - she saved herself be saying Denver!

Summer tubing was a lot of fun, but very popular, i.e., long lines.  Everyone liked it except Anna. The best part, the tow ramp taking you back up the hill!

The only bust was primitive fishing.  First they had to hunt for a stick and bait (insects). I found the only insect.

Then our guide, the only cranky one we encountered, did not have enough twine.

Then a storm came and all bets were off.  But not before Becky took this fake picture of Maks fishing.

On July 3rd, the nearest town had a fireworks show. Perfect.

We left on the Fourth of July. But first we took this beautiful hike to a waterfall.

And the goofy picture.

Some other things we did....

We went out for Mexican food. The "large" margarita was huge! 

S'mores!

We watched the boys while Becky and Arek zip-lined.

This is one of the best family places ever, not expensive, clean, friendly, and fun!