And the journey continued...

Vacation was a bit unusual this year, in that it wasn't just travel to Idaho, visit, then return to Iowa.  First, there was the week spent in Colorado. Then on Friday, Kevin drove by himself from Iowa.

Catherine and her children flew into Denver, so I drove the hour to pick them up.  Unfortunately, there was some heavy traffic to delay us on I-25, then a heavy downpour just before we reached the airport.  As we drove towards it, we were enthralled by the rainbow, which was a full double at times, and even a triple one for a bit.  Beautiful! 

But the darkness behind it was scary. And driving IN it was scary.  I was so glad Kevin had put new RAINEX windshield protector on just before we left. The rain just beads up and runs off--letting you see far better than if the wipers were being used.   So although other cars were pulling off because they couldn't see, we were able to sail on through--until we started hydroplaning. That slowed us down a bit!

Then, trying to find which of the 8 lanes we should be in as we approached the airport was difficult--when we couldn't see the signs until just a few feet away.  Which terminal?  Long-term parking?  Short-term parking?  Pick-up lane? etc.  In spots, red water was flowing swiftly over the roadway--do I dare drive through it?   Thankfully, with cell phones, we were in contact with Catherine, and eventually all were collected, with their luggage and back to Ft. Collins we headed. I was SO grateful Alice was along with me to help with phone calls and reading signs! 

We arrived back at Ryan & Jamie's about 5 minutes after Kevin arrived.  Oh, what fun everyone had together--the Bailey girls showing the Sullivan kids their back yard and their chickens.  And the Sullivan kids, after hours and hours of traveling, were delighted to run and shout and let off some energy.

 

It was so fun to see all of our grandkids together, and having fun! Saturday morning, Ryan and Catherine jointly cooked breakfast, and everyone enjoyed the pancakes.

  

Then, it was off on the 8-hour journey to Idaho, for our two-week vacation.  We used both cars, Kevin and the girls in one, and I drove the other one with Catherine and her kids.  At Rock Springs, Catherine's family went on to Utah to visit Sullivan relatives, and we headed for Hoback Jct.  I'm always thrilled at the first sight of the Wind river mountains along the way. The drive is always interesting from then on. There were more brief downpours, a small forest fire, and the beautiful Hoback river canyon to drive by.  Finally, we arrived.

And I just have to include this last picture.  

 

I guess not EVERYTHING was fun and games....

Other activities in Colorado

Fort Collins has a great splash park and playground!  Judging from the small playground built at our elementary school 2 years ago that cost $1/2 million, I'd say this was in the $20 million price range.  Extensive.  Varied.  And lots of fun!

It's the kind of place where you need two adults to keep track of the kids, because there so many different places they can be. 

The kids can play and get hot, then cool off in the water.  Or cool off first and then go play in the various fountains. 

It's a great place to spend an hour or two (as long as your sunscreen lasts). 

Then, for Nellie's very first time in her car seat,

she got her very own bike trailer as we went on a bike ride.

An afternoon thunderstorm threatened and rumbled, but never came our direction, so we had a great ride.  A bike was borrowed for Alice.  Emma had her own bike, and I got to pull a trailer with Jane and Marta.  Jamie took Nellie.

It was my first time pulling a trailer, and it was quite the workout for me. I was glad to be able to share in it!

First Day of School

Since both girls are "returning" students at their respective schools, they didn't have to be at school until almost 11 a.m. yesterday.  New students reported at the normal time of 8 a.m.

With the later starting time, we had time for nice photos. This was yesterday,

and the next picture was only 5 years ago (2005).

It is a trite statement, I know, but how time flies!

Elley made an interesting statement last week after spending an hour at the high school during registration. She said it was almost shocking to be back with the "regular" clothing styles and vocabulary after spending a "church" summer with girls' camp, youth conference and EFY.  I just hope all those church things have helped her armor be strong enough.

***

It's interesting that they self-position always on the same side...

And they couldn't resist one self-portrait.  Notice Elley's ringlets--they are natural!

Comparing the 1st Day of School pictures makes me nostalgic and tender-hearted.  I am so grateful for my family!  And all the experiences we've had together.

Rocky Mountain National Park...

We picked Thursday afternoon for a visit to the nearby national park, not realizing it would be a rainy day.  We drove into the mountains through drizzle, and almost despaired of being able to get out of the car or see any of the sights.

But then, the clouds cleared a bit.

We were able to walk to a little mountain stream, and wade in it.

Man!  Was it ever cold!  Jane stood in it and started to whimper.

I don't think she understood that it was the water itself the was causing the hurt.

It made my ankles ache, after just a few seconds!

As we drove around, the rain would stop about the time we found a place we wanted to get out and explore.

Well, at least it lightened to a few sprinkles.  The mother duck and her babies seemed to enjoy the weather, and didn't mind all of us watching them.

We really enjoyed the stroll around a scenic small lake.  The light sprinkles didn't seem to actually get us wet.

The real rain waited for dinner time in Estes Park.  As we went from shop to shop, looking for souvenirs and a place to eat, the rain became more steady.

Finally, we opted for pizza.  And the rain stopped long enough for us to eat in the city park.

Though the benches were wet...

...at least it wasn't snow, though we did visit a Christmas shop, complete with life-size Santa.

And a place for the girls to rest their feet for a moment.

A VERY memorable day!

Vacation Revisited

Home again!  Laundry is done.  Overgrown lawn and flower gardens have been subdued (mostly).  Now it's time to reflect.

We were so happy to arrive in Colorado before dark.  We were greeted with a spectacular sunset over the mountains,

while on the east, a peaceful full moon was rising over the plains.

For awhile, we were "rubber-necking" as we looked back and forth between the opposing scenes.  What a pleasant surprise when we arrived at Ryan & Jamie's to have the girls still up, and ready to visit with us.  An even more pleasant surprise was Marta's ready acceptance of us--no shyness on her part! 

The next morning, the busy week began with Elley off to EFY.  The girls were happy to be able to see her dorm room,

after which we visited the park.

I wondered if Jane would be comfortable with us, but there was no shyness on her part either, even when Ryan bid us goodbye and went to his office to put in some needed hours.

Jamie had several activity options planned for our week, things we could do with the three girls while Jamie rested at home with Nellie.  One place we visited was a petting farm.

We took a picnic lunch and thoroughly enjoyed playing together.

And that play included

 snuggling in my bed, 

or playing dress-up.

Such dolls!

Ahhh... Vacation

No pictures to post...yet.  Just experiences.  The pictures will come after we get home.

Experiences like strolling around a reflective mountain lake with 3 darling granddaughters, along with Ryan and Alice.

Or, hydroplaning on the freeway in a cloudburst as we picked up Catherine from the Denver Airport.

Or going down the canal on innertubes.

Or gathering eggs.

Or quietly reading a book in the afternoon heat.

Or riding bikes in Teton National Park with my sister (15 miles!)

Or eating supper in the shade on the lawn

because it is too hot in the house.

Vacation.

It's all good.