Royal Gorge

Here are a lot of pictures from our visit to the Royal Gorge. It was built in 1929 and until recently was the world's highest suspension bride. Pretty amazing.

First thing we did was to ride the Incline Railway to the very bottom of the gorge.

Eliana & Aunt Sharon are ready.

Wheeeeee!

Caleb was interested in how the incline cable car worked.

The view going down.

We made it down and now we're ready to go back up.

Here's a picture of the bridge from the side.

We're ready to go across.

Sharon and Eliana -- too close to the side!

Aunt Sharon & Eliana


One of the various silly signs along the way across the bridge.

Some views from the bridge.




When we got to the other side there were some different animals.

Have you ever seen a white buffalo?

Karis petting a goat.

Karis riding a donkey.

Eliana riding a donkey.

We then took this cable car across the gorge. Pretty cool.

Here's the view from the cable car.

Got to ride a little railroad.

Caleb

Eliana & Karis

Aunt Sharon & Eliana being goofy.

And don't forget the carousel ride.

Eliana

Karis

Joanna
It was a cool place to visit and a fun day!

Sassy

Joanna and Joel put together another mystery/scavenger hunt for the family.

One of the clues, in particular, seemed to stump everyone. The clue was:

Sensational Sassy Teapot

While talking it through, Grandfather was explaining what sensational meant. He then moved on to explaining sassy and said, "Sassy....sassy's when you talk back? What talks back?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Eliana says, "a member of the family to remain unnamed?!"

Everyone busted out laughing and unnamed person just smirked!



(The solution to the clue was grandma's car - which is nicknamed the SST for Sue's Silver Transport.)

Serious Card Game

A post by Sharon - a witness and concerned aunt

During an intense and focused game of Nertz, Eliana came in with some skinned knees, tears, and a couple of other concerned little kids. Of course, it wasn't at the most convenient moment for Tina to be interrupted, so she quickly ascertained if Eliana was okay and then pronounced her cure for skinned knees & getting the kids outside . . . without missing a beat she said, "Ok, why don't you all go get a cookie & eat outside!" The result was pure enthusiasm and tears turned to immediate joy! Classic.

Hangin' Around the Cabin

Just some random shots around the cabin.

Karis & Grandfather

Karis on the scooter.

Eliana with the mountains in the background.

Karis & a cookie

Cute smile, Eliana!

More scootering for Karis

Eliana reading to Sam

Grandfather reading to Eliana & Sam. How old's that jacket dad?

Chloe, Karis, Sam & Eliana

Weird Castle and a Short Hike

On our way to our hiking spot, we stopped to visit Bishop's Castle.

It's pretty high up there.

This is Bishop's Castle. It was cool looking, but also kind of a strange place.
I did not go up with Karis, and I still can't believe I let the other kids go up (part-way, that is!). You'd have to visit to understand, but let's just say it's probably not up to code.

Joanna & Joel

After stopping at the castle, we had a picnic lunch and went for a short hike.

Karis & Grandfather ready to go.

Grandma and Joanna are off!

Eliana's being goofy.

Group shot

Crazy group shot!

Eliana, Grandfather and Cousin Sam.
Isn't this cute!

Targets

Here's Caleb getting some target practice with his BB gun.

What a view!

1st hike

Here's the first post of many for our CO & NM trip.

These are some pictures from our first hike. It was a short, fun and kid-friendly hike!

Joel & Karis are ready to go.

Eliana & Caleb led the pack for a short while.

Joanna

Creeks are fun to play in.


But the water is very cold!
When we asked the kids if they wanted to go to the next creek, Caleb said, "Yeah, we should go find the next creek cause the water will be just as cold."

Eliana enjoyed the view at the top from Daddy's shoulders.

Karis liked the hike too.

Moms carrying the littlest ones.

Dad's carrying the other not-so-little ones.
Fun hike.

For Reading

Caleb got some new glasses for reading.

He likes them and has been reading lots to try them out. He thinks he's cool because he thinks he looks like one of his friends.
Oh, we also painted his bedroom. You can see his cool blue room behind him.