As you are all VERY aware of, I ride a fine line of knowing when to stop taking pictures…okay who am I kidding, I am picture obsessed. So before you go any further reading this blog, here is your 1 and final WARNING: There are a LOT and I mean a LOT of pictures. With that said, since we have 300+ pictures from our 3 day trip I am honestly clueless where to even start? Here we go, I think!?!?
We were SO SO SO excited for this trip because it is our first ever Family Getaway just the 4 of us. Not to see/visit family or friends, not with family or friends…just US! It was a blast and very much needed on all parts. So glad we get to create family memories together because these are the things that truly matter in life :) We sent the 1st two days of our trip in Glenwood Springs, CO (about 2.5 hours north-west of Denver) and the last day visiting Maroon Bells & Aspen Colorado and taking a really awesome scenic route home on Independence Pass and through the Continental Divide.
Day 1: Sunday, July 14th
After the 9am church service (about 10:30am), we were off for our getaway.
We arrived to our hotel in Glenwood Springs around 2:00pm after stopping off for lunch. We tried to sneak in a little nap since we knew we’d most likely be up past bedtime.
Owen & I couldn’t sleep because we were too excited, but Autumn & Daddy had no problem passing out.
After (Brandon & Autumn’s) Naps, we were off to visit the Famous Glenwood Springs Hot Springs. It’s been around for 125 years and is the World’s Largest Hot Springs. It was SO.MUCH.FUN. The water was amazing at 90 degrees and there was a smaller pool where the water was 104 degrees. The kids had a blast swimming in such warm water.
I know this is hard to believe, but this is only part of the pool. There was the smaller Hot Pool and another pool where there was a big slide. It was beautiful.
We didn’t get back from swimming until about 8pm so we picked up some Pizza & Calzones from a hole in the wall pizza joint Uncle Pizza that was AMAZING!!!!! Then it was baths & bedtimes since we had an early long day planned for Monday.
Day 2: Monday, July 15th
The second day of our trip, we woke up bright and early, went down to breakfast in the Hotel and headed out for our outdoor adventure. We got to Canyon Bike Rentals, loaded up the trailer, and were off on a Shuttle.
The shuttle dropped us off 16 miles out of town along the Colorado River where we were going to do a family bike ride back into town.
Here were our pretty rentals for the day :)
I can’t lie, I haven’t rode a bike since I was probably 15 (so 14 years ago) so I was pretty darn nervous. Luckily it comes right back to you and it went great, but thank goodness Brandon was pulling the kids in the trailer.
We rode our bikes about 5 miles and stopped to do a hike up to Hanging Lake & Spouting Rock. What I wasn’t quite aware of was how INSANE of a hike it was. Brandon mentioned that the website said it was a rough hike, but he did neglect to tell me it was Rated: Extremely Difficult….yes we did have the kids with us. Autumn was in the hiking pack and Owen was a trooper and hiked the crazy hike along with us without a single peep or complaint. Every time we asked him if he needed to stop his response was, “No, I will never give up, I will never give up.” His determination is amazing, I wish I only had an ounce of that.
This is clearly the beginning of the hike, we were all smiles before we had a clue what we were in for.
These super steep hills in the very beginning should’ve quite possibly been our very first clue, lol.
Insane hike and all, the hike (more like rock climbing up) was absolutely gorgeous!
We were told on the way up that you pass 7 Bridges. You can imagine our pure and utter excitement we felt as we walked across bridge 7…what they didn’t tell us is what lies beyond bridge 7….
Yep, that’s Owen and I climbing up a completely vertical mountain of rock stairs. Craziness. All I could think of at this point was how In the world we were going to get down (with the kids) on this same path. YIKES.
And after a crazy hike (the most difficult I have ever been on and I have been on a fair share of hikes in my life, we made it. To the very tippy top of the mountain with the most breathtaking beauty right in front of our eyes. Worth every single second….and sore muscle.
Welcome to Hanging Lake.
Then it was about another 5 minute hike up and we were at Spouting Rock, where a steam of water literally spouts out a small hole in the side of the mountain. SO COOL…
And then we started our trek back down the mountain. I must say I thought the hike down was way harder then the hike up. It was strait down and really tough on your thigh muscles, but we DID IT! So so so proud of Owen for completing this hike and kudos to my hubby for doing the whole thing with a 24lb child on his back. We rock!
And once we were back down we still had an 11 mile bike ride ahead of us along the Colorado River back to town.
Lets just say that after running out of fluids, no lunch yet (and it was 3:15pm), two tired sun beat kids stuck in a bike trailer in 95 degree heat, and no snacks left…we didn’t make it. For anyone who knows me, you know how hard this was for me to throw in the towel because I am super competitive and I HATE losing. But sometimes you have to think of your kids and what’s best for them, even when it’s not BEST for you. All you parents know exactly what I mean. The lovely accommodating Bike Rental Place came and picked us up with a whooping 4 miles left :”( He was shocked that we did the bike ride & the hike in one day with a 3 & 5 year old, and was completely SHOCKED Owen did the hike by himself. Yay! Regardless the turn of events, I am SUPER proud of my family for completing an Extremely Difficult rated hike and an 11 mile bike ride in 5.5 hours. It was a blast, despite the physical exhaustion, and one of the best family days I have ever had! My hubby is awesome at planning our trips!
After a WELL deserved lunch and some down time watching cartoons, we decided to go for a swim in our hotel.
Autumn has become absolutely fearless in the water. I LOVE this picture.
Then we dried off and headed out for some Ice Cream & Chocolate and a stroll around Downtown Glenwood…
We totally earned this treat. SO YUMMY!!!!
Then we went back to the hotel, showered, and CRASHED. We were all pooped, but it was a fantastic day!
Day 3: Tuesday, July 16th
That morning we got a slow start, slept in a bit, went down for breakfast and slowly packed up the car. We hit the road about 10ish. We decided to take a longer Scenic Route home so we could stop by a few places we have always wanted to go…Maroon Bells, Aspen, and Independence Pass along the Continental Divide. Well worth the 1.5 hour addition to our drive home.
Maroon Bells was our first stop. This is described as a ‘Photographer’s Dream’ & the ‘Most Photographed Place in Colorado’, so we decided we had to stop and see for ourselves. WOW!!!! Brandon and I went crazy with pictures (I’ll try to just pick out my favs, but my judgment is messed up when it comes to pictures) it was BEAUTIFUL the pictures don’t even do it an ounce of justice.
I have to stop and THANK this man for being the awesome Husband, Father, and provider of this family. Without this amazing man this entire trip would have been impossible. Thank you Brandon for everything you do for the kids and I and for working so hard for us. You are truly a blessing from God and the most wonderful human being I have ever known.
The lake had about 5 different color variations to it. SO pretty.
Now this is what pops in your head when you think of Colorado!
Ahhhhh….so pretty. Talking about the scenery….okay and my amazingly beautiful family.
Ducks & A Beaver D*$&…Lodge.
Collecting rocks in their pockets is a MUST on any walk, especially in the mountains. If only I would have remembered this picture BEFORE I was digging rocks out of my Washer & Dryer :(
After the Bells, we were Aspen Bound. I admit it, after Dumb & Dumber, I have been DYING to go to Aspen, California (hahaha). It was exactly what I pictured. A Beautiful Upscale Swanky Town. I couldn’t afford anything in the entire town, the houses (condos for that matter) cost more than my entire life savings, all the people walking around had Gucci & Dior Sunglasses, the ladies were carrying Handbags that cost more than my entire wardrobe, Ferraris were zooming up and down the streets, and everyone riding a bike was sporting their North Face Gear from head to toe. I’m so glad we visit though because it’s just one of those places I have always wanted to see with my own eyes.
Aspen started back in the 1800’s with the Ute Indians.
After a few hours in Aspen, we hit the road for Independence Pass and the Continental Divide. Independent Pass was hands down the scariest drive I have EVER been on. The road is so narrow (like 1.5 cars width and that’s giving it some), sharp curves you can’t see around, and its SO SO SO high up with a cliff strait down the mountain right next to you. My palms were sweaty and I could barley look out the window, but what I did manage to peek up and see was gorgeous. No wonder the road shuts completely down in the winter, know one would ever survive it.
THE END!
Hope I didn’t overdue this blog, but lots of beautiful pictures and wonderful family memories to record/share. So thankful for this amazing trip with my amazing family seeing parts of Colorado I have never been to but always wanted to go. My love for this AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL State has quadrupled after this trip (ear muffs Dad & Mom). The kids were wonderful on the entire trip and Owen has stated multiple times since we have been home that Glenwood Springs is his ‘Favorite Place in the World’. 100% proof that vacations/getaways as a family are SO SO SO important and truly matter to our kids.
