Colorado Bound

We got back from Arkansas on Monday, slept at home and then packed up the kid and dogs to head to Colorado.  Bruce has a Land Cruiser that he is restoring and some parts were in Steamboat Springs, so we turned it into a little vacation since that state is my favorite place in the world.  Mom met us in Salina and took Cooper, Scooter and Lolly.  Bruce and I were on our own!  The drive is a bit brutal through Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, but when we hit Denver and started to see mountains I was a happy girl!

I loooooooove the mountains!!!

We traveled through some different parts of Colorado this time

He doesn't like to pose for pictures like Cooper does

 We stayed in Silverthorne the first night and ate a great supper (and drinks and did I mention there were not kids there???) at a brewery and then quickly outlet shopped the next day.  Bruce in a Coach store was definitely something to see.  Then we were off to Steamboat Springs.  We decided to stay the night there, so we got to look around the little town.  We hiked up to a waterfall, which is what the picture on the old Coors can was from and it was beautiful.  On the way were aspen trees and some had carvings on them.   Once we got there, I would have happily drank an ice cold beer! 

Aspen trees that people carved initials into

Starting to see a river...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

We had to get in it and man was it cold!

My way to cool off

We had a great time, although I thought the altitude may kill me while I tried to make it back to the truck.

 We got the parts for Bruce and then decided to go to the famous hot springs, since I had never been to any.  We went to Strawberry Park, which was beautiful and natural, although after dark it turned into clothing optional...Trust me when I say that we left at dusk!  New people are great, naked new people sitting next to you in water in the dark, not so great.

We saw some reindeer grazing in the forest

And some mule deer--I always have to be on the lookout for Bruce...

We left before dark (mostly because the road there was slightly terrifying in the light of day, much less the dark).  The springs were HOT and a cool place to go.  I can't imagine how good they would feel after skiing or hiking all day.  Riding in a truck and shopping was tough enough for me!

We left the next morning and made it home before dark.  That drive is the worst!  I never thought we'd see Hays, much less home.  We did though and our awesome neighbors came over to visit and make me a new drink, while we fed them chicken.  Life is so good and getting to spend time with Bruce was long overdue.  The next day we had my parents and Seth's family up for the weekend, so it was back to crazy again.  Oh Colorado, I will miss you!