We made it back to Tennessee today, 1 day earlier than planned. Pretty good considering the break down that cost us about a half a day of driving. I am sitting here, nice and clean from my 127 minute shower, listening to the 4th load of laundry in the washing machine. My guess is there is still at least 2 if not 3 more loads to do. We actually did some laundry while we were traveling but I wanted to wash everything that had been in the trailer even if it was "clean". I had no idea how much we had! I had 2 loads alone just in bedsheets and towels. I filled the dishwasher and washed even more sink fulls by hand to re-clean all the dishes we took with us. I feel that we are almost entirely decontaminated from this trip!
Looking back at this trip, we learned some things for sure! The most important being that traveling by RV is in no way cheaper than flying (first class), renting cars (limos) and eating all of your meals in a (5 star) restaurant. Maybe I should have researched this a little more before I agreed to it. I actually spent less money the 3 months I lived in England and traveled around Europe, no joke. But I guess this trip did cover 5 people but it still helps to put it in perspective. I did love the quality time with the family and the fact that the kids and Rick had a good time is all that matters. I was very glad my mom agreed to go with us, she was a huge help! I knew going in that I was doing this trip for Rick and the kids more than myself. My first choice of vacation will always involve the beach, no schedule and no worries which is why I have never referred to what we just experienced as a vacation. We will just call it a family adventure.
I would not trade this adventure for anything though. We all had a good time and got to experience and see so many things that we will never forget. The kids may only remember it through photos and my stories but that will have to do. I can't wait to plan our adventure for next year, maybe Yellowstone, but I know 1 thing, we will be flying!
Showing posts with label RV Trip 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RV Trip 2011. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Roadside Rescue - By Paula
Apparently I have to put "By Paula" on my posts now that I noticed a homeless mountain man hacked my blog a few days ago. There is a warrant out for his arrest.
It seems that Rick has filled you all in a little on his extended stay in Vail. Mom and the kids and I were not in Vail though. When the truck jerked to a sudden stop while climbing a mountain just east of Vail, I was more than a little nervous/scared/panicked/mad. Traffic was flying by and there was not a full shoulder that Rick could pull off on due to a concrete barrier so we were still in the driving lane a little bit. After we sat there for about 2 minutes I decided that I had to get the kids out of the truck because sitting in it was not safe. As far as break downs go, this was not too bad of a situation. I noticed a bike trail off the side of the road and down a very steep hill, but if we walked along the interstate about 300 feet the bike trail climbed up and we could get over to it. Considering we were going to be on the other side of the concrete barriers for the walk, I used my savvy Department of Transportation instincts and decided we were better off across the barrier than sitting in the truck hanging out in traffic. So we climbed out of the truck, climbed over the barrier and starting walking along the top of a very steep drop off. Millie was very scared but she slowly made her way along the barrier with my mom as I carried Reed until we could hop over to the bike trail. I have never been so relived in my life. I was so scared for those kids but we got them to safety.
Meanwhile, a lady named Vikki Jones from Denver was on her way home from Grand Junction after visiting her grand kids for the weekend. Both of her granddaughters had just had a dance recital (ages 3 and 5) and being the sweet grandma that she is, she wanted to make the several hour drive and see them. She was on her way back to Denver when she saw our motley crew hiking along the side of I-70. She pulled off to talk to Rick and he motioned her up the road to where we were. After rearranging some things in her van, there was room for mom, the kids (sharing a seat with no car seats!) and myself. Knowing the tow truck was not going to be able to take us all along when he picked up the truck, we took our chances with Vikki. What can you do, right? She had told Rick she was going to take us to Vail to the Holiday Inn Express. We asked "Haven't we already passed Vail?" She told us no and that what we saw was West Vail and just ahead was Vail. I wasn't convinced but I assumed she knew what she was talking about. After driving a few miles she realized that we were, in fact, past Vail. She then told us she would take us ahead about 20 miles. There was a town called Silverthorne that had hotels, shopping, groceries and all the necessities we needed. My mom could not hear this exchange between Vikki and I and I am pretty sure she was convinced that after passing about 4 exits that we were being kidnapped.
Mom's spirits brightened 100% when Vikki dropped us off right in front of an outlet mall. My mom had bought a new pair of shoes within 30 minutes of our roadside rescue. Granted we had no clothes with us and mom only had a very flimsy pair of shoes. Remember that when we started walking to the bike trail for safety, we had no idea at that point we would begin hitchhiking so we had no clothes or anything with us. I did happen to grab my camera bag just because it was on the floor at my feet in the truck. That turned out to be a good thing because it had my wallet in it so at least we had money. What I didn't have, if you recall, is a phone. I am sure it still resides with the prairie dogs somewhere between Silverton and Durango where it fell off the train. My mom did have her phone but it is a prepaid phone and has very few minutes on it. I felt that we had time warped to the stone age!
Turns out I should have called Rick when I found out we were going to Silverthorne instead of Vail because the tow truck wanted to take him to Silverthorne but he told them to take him to Vail because that's where we were going. Whoops.
So we were at an outlet mall with no clothes, no place to sleep and no idea where Rick is. Rick is in Vail with a broken truck and no idea where we are. At least he had the trailer, clothes and food...oh and his bike. We finally made contact and let him know that we had found a Comfort Suites. Can I just tell you one thing about the bathroom, it was fabulous! You have already learned of my bathroom issues and even when I stayed in a Ritz Carlton in Naples, FL my heart rate spiked just walking bare foot on the bathroom floor. So apparently trailer living has somewhat cured me, at least temporarily, of my hotel bathroom issues because I had no worries about this one at all! I think the Lord knew I needed a break...from the trailer, not Rick...
My mom and I figure out what we need from the store to get by and so she walks to the only store close by; a Walgreens. Now, Walgreens isn't known for it clothing department so when mom went to get us a pack of underwear, she got the only size they had which was apparently made to go over about 13 pair of depends all at once. We laughed about it and figured they would do while we washed ours in the sink. I would not normally tell the world about our big underwear if it weren't for Reed. See, the other thing we didn't have with us was Reed's potty seat for the toilet and my boy likes to get comfy when nature calls a number 2. I kept asking if he needed to potty and he said no. Well apparently when he thought he was tooting, it has a little more punch to it. He was holding it in, until then, because he didn't want to poo without his seat. This could not have been worse timing for him to have his first accident in over a year! We had no other clothes. This is where our big underwear comes in to play. Yep, we had to put him in something while I washed his underwear in the sink. He, of course, thought this was hilarious, as did we. I am so glad I had my camera. These photos will be brought back to life many times I have a feeling.
The next day Rick picked us up at about 3pm and we were able to hit the road. All of us together, heading the same direction in all of our own clothes. Life is good and the Lord certainly has us in his hands through this trouble. We are now in Missouri and plan to get back a day early and drive all the way home tomorrow. That is provided the trailer stays in one piece because I think we have lost of piece of it in about every state.
It seems that Rick has filled you all in a little on his extended stay in Vail. Mom and the kids and I were not in Vail though. When the truck jerked to a sudden stop while climbing a mountain just east of Vail, I was more than a little nervous/scared/panicked/mad. Traffic was flying by and there was not a full shoulder that Rick could pull off on due to a concrete barrier so we were still in the driving lane a little bit. After we sat there for about 2 minutes I decided that I had to get the kids out of the truck because sitting in it was not safe. As far as break downs go, this was not too bad of a situation. I noticed a bike trail off the side of the road and down a very steep hill, but if we walked along the interstate about 300 feet the bike trail climbed up and we could get over to it. Considering we were going to be on the other side of the concrete barriers for the walk, I used my savvy Department of Transportation instincts and decided we were better off across the barrier than sitting in the truck hanging out in traffic. So we climbed out of the truck, climbed over the barrier and starting walking along the top of a very steep drop off. Millie was very scared but she slowly made her way along the barrier with my mom as I carried Reed until we could hop over to the bike trail. I have never been so relived in my life. I was so scared for those kids but we got them to safety.
Meanwhile, a lady named Vikki Jones from Denver was on her way home from Grand Junction after visiting her grand kids for the weekend. Both of her granddaughters had just had a dance recital (ages 3 and 5) and being the sweet grandma that she is, she wanted to make the several hour drive and see them. She was on her way back to Denver when she saw our motley crew hiking along the side of I-70. She pulled off to talk to Rick and he motioned her up the road to where we were. After rearranging some things in her van, there was room for mom, the kids (sharing a seat with no car seats!) and myself. Knowing the tow truck was not going to be able to take us all along when he picked up the truck, we took our chances with Vikki. What can you do, right? She had told Rick she was going to take us to Vail to the Holiday Inn Express. We asked "Haven't we already passed Vail?" She told us no and that what we saw was West Vail and just ahead was Vail. I wasn't convinced but I assumed she knew what she was talking about. After driving a few miles she realized that we were, in fact, past Vail. She then told us she would take us ahead about 20 miles. There was a town called Silverthorne that had hotels, shopping, groceries and all the necessities we needed. My mom could not hear this exchange between Vikki and I and I am pretty sure she was convinced that after passing about 4 exits that we were being kidnapped.
Mom's spirits brightened 100% when Vikki dropped us off right in front of an outlet mall. My mom had bought a new pair of shoes within 30 minutes of our roadside rescue. Granted we had no clothes with us and mom only had a very flimsy pair of shoes. Remember that when we started walking to the bike trail for safety, we had no idea at that point we would begin hitchhiking so we had no clothes or anything with us. I did happen to grab my camera bag just because it was on the floor at my feet in the truck. That turned out to be a good thing because it had my wallet in it so at least we had money. What I didn't have, if you recall, is a phone. I am sure it still resides with the prairie dogs somewhere between Silverton and Durango where it fell off the train. My mom did have her phone but it is a prepaid phone and has very few minutes on it. I felt that we had time warped to the stone age!
Turns out I should have called Rick when I found out we were going to Silverthorne instead of Vail because the tow truck wanted to take him to Silverthorne but he told them to take him to Vail because that's where we were going. Whoops.
So we were at an outlet mall with no clothes, no place to sleep and no idea where Rick is. Rick is in Vail with a broken truck and no idea where we are. At least he had the trailer, clothes and food...oh and his bike. We finally made contact and let him know that we had found a Comfort Suites. Can I just tell you one thing about the bathroom, it was fabulous! You have already learned of my bathroom issues and even when I stayed in a Ritz Carlton in Naples, FL my heart rate spiked just walking bare foot on the bathroom floor. So apparently trailer living has somewhat cured me, at least temporarily, of my hotel bathroom issues because I had no worries about this one at all! I think the Lord knew I needed a break...from the trailer, not Rick...
My mom and I figure out what we need from the store to get by and so she walks to the only store close by; a Walgreens. Now, Walgreens isn't known for it clothing department so when mom went to get us a pack of underwear, she got the only size they had which was apparently made to go over about 13 pair of depends all at once. We laughed about it and figured they would do while we washed ours in the sink. I would not normally tell the world about our big underwear if it weren't for Reed. See, the other thing we didn't have with us was Reed's potty seat for the toilet and my boy likes to get comfy when nature calls a number 2. I kept asking if he needed to potty and he said no. Well apparently when he thought he was tooting, it has a little more punch to it. He was holding it in, until then, because he didn't want to poo without his seat. This could not have been worse timing for him to have his first accident in over a year! We had no other clothes. This is where our big underwear comes in to play. Yep, we had to put him in something while I washed his underwear in the sink. He, of course, thought this was hilarious, as did we. I am so glad I had my camera. These photos will be brought back to life many times I have a feeling.
The next day Rick picked us up at about 3pm and we were able to hit the road. All of us together, heading the same direction in all of our own clothes. Life is good and the Lord certainly has us in his hands through this trouble. We are now in Missouri and plan to get back a day early and drive all the way home tomorrow. That is provided the trailer stays in one piece because I think we have lost of piece of it in about every state.
Arches National Park
This will have to be a quick post, I didn't even take time to Photoshop my pictures. That would be due to the little hiccup we had yesterday with the truck that it seems Rick has already mentioned. But I need to catch this adventure up if I want to try to remember the details. I am getting old and it doesn't take long to forget things!
We left Moab, Utah (and Vince and Holly) around 7am Sunday morning so we could get to Arches National Park before it got too hot. We were only a few miles from it so we were in good shape. Based on Vince's recommendation we decided to take the hike to Delicate Arch, one of Utah's most recognizable landmarks.
Vince and the park claim that it is only a 1.5 mile hike to the arch but I have to believe it is further. I think what made it so difficult was the large amount of uphill climbing on the way there, the fact that the arch is NEVER in view until you turn the last corner and you are there and that there are no signs telling you how close you are. I was convinced that every time I crested a huge rock hill that I would see it. But it seemed I only kept seeing another larger rock hill we had to climb.
The kids at a smaller arch along the way.
Almost there, it's just around that corner.
Made it!
The altitude of Moab and the park took its toll on my mom and she decided to sit this one out and wait for us not too far into the hike. I think she made a good decision.
The kids did great and they spent a lot of time showing off their Spider-man crawling abilities.
Monday, June 6, 2011
What in the Vail!
SURPRISE PAULA!! Didn't know I could blog did you!
After finishing our tour of Arches National Park this morning, we began our journey homeward to Knoxville, TN. Our route took us through beautiful Vail, Colorado (consequently another choice mountain biking location).
Everyone may find this blog somewhat different than the other posts to this blog. If you want to have a chance to talk in our family (and stop all the abuse I take), there is are three easy steps to make that happen:
1. Wait until you are in another great mountain biking location
2. Trash water pump in your truck (and hopefully nothing else)
3. Send your family and mother-in-law off with the 1st stranger that stops by offering to take them
It seems the millionth "Eddie" comment has pushed me over the edge. I am in Vail, Colorado while the rest of our little road trip crew is about 35 miles away in Silverthorne (does it really get any better than an RV bachelor pad?)
In case anyone has wondered, the mountains of Vail still look good from the parking lot of a service/repair station.
So here I sit in beautiful Vail, Colorado (that there's my tenament on wheels in the bottom right corner of the above photo) "sneaking" onto our family's blog so I can finally sneak in a few words.
I cannot get my truck in for repair until 8:30 mountain time tomorrow. I am not really sure what to hope for when I talk with them in the morning; a quick repair or a somewhat longer job. I want to get rolling home, but the mountain biker in me says a repair long enough to hit the trails tomorrow may not be so bad after all. (In case anyone is interested, I have confirmed that when there isn't snow on the ground in Vail you can take a ski lift to the top of the mountain and hurtle yourself down the side at break-neck speed!)
I want to thank everyone (Paula, Bette, Millie, and Reed) for being such troopers on this trip. Everyone has been great and the majority of this trip has been focused on what else can be done during and around the time I have been mountain biking with Vince (and sometimes Mrs. Crash - Holly for those that don't already know). If it helps make it any better to take, I have had an awesome time!
I especially want to thank Paula. I know what a phobia you have of bathrooms and I think I have pushed the limits with the RV bathroom/shower. Your sacrifice during this trip has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. Thank you and I love you.
Eastbound I-70 or launching down the Vail slopes; only time will tell what tomorrow brings.
After finishing our tour of Arches National Park this morning, we began our journey homeward to Knoxville, TN. Our route took us through beautiful Vail, Colorado (consequently another choice mountain biking location).
Everyone may find this blog somewhat different than the other posts to this blog. If you want to have a chance to talk in our family (and stop all the abuse I take), there is are three easy steps to make that happen:
1. Wait until you are in another great mountain biking location
2. Trash water pump in your truck (and hopefully nothing else)
3. Send your family and mother-in-law off with the 1st stranger that stops by offering to take them
It seems the millionth "Eddie" comment has pushed me over the edge. I am in Vail, Colorado while the rest of our little road trip crew is about 35 miles away in Silverthorne (does it really get any better than an RV bachelor pad?)
In case anyone has wondered, the mountains of Vail still look good from the parking lot of a service/repair station.
So here I sit in beautiful Vail, Colorado (that there's my tenament on wheels in the bottom right corner of the above photo) "sneaking" onto our family's blog so I can finally sneak in a few words.
I cannot get my truck in for repair until 8:30 mountain time tomorrow. I am not really sure what to hope for when I talk with them in the morning; a quick repair or a somewhat longer job. I want to get rolling home, but the mountain biker in me says a repair long enough to hit the trails tomorrow may not be so bad after all. (In case anyone is interested, I have confirmed that when there isn't snow on the ground in Vail you can take a ski lift to the top of the mountain and hurtle yourself down the side at break-neck speed!)
I want to thank everyone (Paula, Bette, Millie, and Reed) for being such troopers on this trip. Everyone has been great and the majority of this trip has been focused on what else can be done during and around the time I have been mountain biking with Vince (and sometimes Mrs. Crash - Holly for those that don't already know). If it helps make it any better to take, I have had an awesome time!
I especially want to thank Paula. I know what a phobia you have of bathrooms and I think I have pushed the limits with the RV bathroom/shower. Your sacrifice during this trip has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. Thank you and I love you.
Eastbound I-70 or launching down the Vail slopes; only time will tell what tomorrow brings.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Porcupine Rim Trail - Moab Utah
The most I was involved in this adventure was taking these 3 nuts to the top, leaving them and then driving a hour back down in the comfort of Rick's truck. So glad I could be of service. This is what I was thinking as I drove away...
Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead? - Thanks again Clark Griswold
I found this info about the trail online...
The Porcupine Rim Trail is 15.6 miles, requiring expert technical skills, this ride is for advanced bikers who are in good shape. The ride begins with a 3 mile climb up rocky ledges on a wide-track trail. This is a moderately strenuous climb, gaining 1000 feet to an altitude of 6,800 feet. The real ride begins at the Rim. This is primo downhill advanced technical stuff, dropping off a gazillion small rocky ledges, with the last 3 miles a hairy single-track on the edge of deadly cliffs. From the Rim, you'll drop 2,700 vertical feet to the Colorado River over 11 unforgettable miles.
As I read the directions to get there, it says you have to pass through Jackass Canyon. I think that about sums it up, don't you? And yes, I have life insurance on Rick, this ain't my first rodeo folks.
Thanks for the photos Vince!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Watch Out Dave Ramsey!
A few days ago my mom and Millie were going to do a little shopping while I stayed with Reed so he could take a nap. I told her she had $20 to spend on this entire trip. She could buy whatever she wanted but that she should really think about how much she wanted it. My mom had found a store earlier in the day that sold all kinds of items that changed color in the sun. She got each of the kids a T-shirt and told me they also had fingernail polish that changed color when it got in the sun for $8 a bottle. She took Millie back to that store thinking she would like the fingernail polish. When they got home I was surprised when Millie started telling me about her ring she bought. Millie told me she really wanted the nail polish but it was $8 and that was almost half of her money. She said the ring was only $1 and she thought that was a much better purchase because she would have more money left over. Then she asked if I was proud of her. I nearly cried and told her I have never been so proud! That's my girl!
Adios Durango
Friday morning it was time to get this Hook On hooked on and hit the road. Mesa Verde is just about an hour from Durango and on our way to Moab so we wanted to stop and check it out. Vince and Holly will meet up with us later but decided to not join us in Mesa Verde so they could get a little work done.
After you enter the park, you still have to drive about 15 miles (up) to reach the visitor center and then drive about 5 more miles (up) to see the first dwelling. It sits upon a HUGE hill/mountain/plateau/knob?? and the whole time we were driving I just kept wondering, what made that first guy or family look up toward this enormous rock and think...let's spend days climbing that thing and see if that's where we want to live. Truly amazing what folks 800 or so years ago had to do just to survive. And here I am having a panic attack over my showering conditions. I blame society, it has made me what I am!
The views were absolutely amazing and the cliff dwellings were well planned by being protected from the wind in the winter and the sun in the summer. The cliff dwellings are in several different locations. Some required intensive hiking and ladder climbing to reach them while others were a little more accessible. Considering we didn't want our kids falling off ladders to their deaths, we choose to stick with the more accessible ones. This was purely for the kids sake, not for mine. I really wanted to risk my life to see stone houses built in a cliff but as a mom you have to do what's best for the kids ;-)
You had to hike down into a canyon to see Spruce Tree House (the one we went to) but it wasn't too bad. It was a nice paved trial but it was still steep walking back up. Along the way we got to see this snake having a little snack. The kids were mesmerized but no, we will not be getting a snake.
Millie was brave and wanted to crawl down in the underground room after Rick. She is fearless.
Then of course Reed had to follow.
It was a very interesting place but we decided to go ahead and leave after the first one because we figured they were pretty much all the same and that way we could get to Moab a little sooner.
Just Call Me BIlly
I just reread my post I did last night/this morning about our day in Silverton. Wow, this is what came to mind. I was really tired!
"Mr. Madison, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
"Mr. Madison, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Durango Silverton Railroad
Before you proceed, please make yourself comfortable, this one's gonna take a while.
Not only will it take a while but it is day late, sorry but I had a rough day yesterday. How you ask? Just site tight and I will catch you all up.
The day started like any normal June day as we loaded up for the drive From Durango to Silverton, Colorado. If you think it looks cold, you are incorrect, it was freezing! Yikes, back to the truck to thaw, dang it was cold.
Fortunately, that was just at the pass and once we got to Silverton the weather was not as bad. It was about 55 degrees and sunny.
Our plan was to do a little hike with Vince and Holly but they discovered that the trails they had planned to take us to were still covered in snow so we decided to nix that plan and we drove on up the Alpine Loop to Animas Forks. Animas Forks is an old ghost town that use to be a bustling mining community but the mine closed as prices dropped and everyone was gone by the 1920's.
You will notice that the route to Animas Forks is called a 'loop' and not a road. This was about an hour of bumping and bouncing to make it to our destination while driving dangerously close to the edge of very steep drop offs.
We made it though with no major problems except for my growing exhaustion from car sickness.
It was totally worth it though because it was beautiful.
Don't ask Reed about the drive because he slept the whole way up and back. I have no idea how he managed to do that!
Millie was excited to have a snow ball fight with Rick, Vince and Holly.
After both kids were finished throwing half the rocks in Colorado into the river, we loaded up and heading back down the loop toward Silverton.
We had just enough time to eat, walk around town just a bit and head toward the train station where the kids, my mom and I would ride the train back down the mountain to Durango passing right through our campsite along the way. Here are a few shots of the town.
On to the train! Because Reed did declare as soon as he woke up that morning that is was "Train Day!" And kept asking over and over..."When will we ride the train? Who will ride the train? Why are we riding the train? Will the train have hook ons?"
Is anyone still reading this? Should I even go on because it's 1am and I am TIRED! Ok, I will keep going.
Finally, we were on the train and ready to take it down the mountain. I had no idea it was going to be 4 hours. Remember the Alpine Loop we had just spent about 2 hours bouncing around on? Not to mention the drive up the mountain to begin with. Well, I sure did because I still didn't feel good. But it was "Train Day" so what was I to do but to ride the train.
It was truly beautiful, even if it did make me feel sick the whole time.
Other than massive amounts of motion sickness at this point for me, the day had been pretty good. But about an hour from Durango, things started going down hill...no pun intended.
The punk kid sitting in front of me (who was out of control the entire ride) decided to take a big drink of orange juice and then spit it all out all over his seat. From there it ran down to the floor and started coming towards Reed and I. I grabbed my camera bag off the floor and set on on the seat by the open window. For some crazy reason, I had put my phone in the top flap on my camera bag and when I put the bag on the seat, the only thing I can figure it the flap flipped open toward the window and my phone fell out the window. So now my phone resides somewhere between Durango and Silverton along the railroad tracks. I am sure some prairie dog has found it and is calling everyone in my phone book. If you get a call from a prairie dog, ask him where my phone is please. I really want it back because it is an antique and they don't make them like that anymore. I am very sad about this. Guess I will have to get one of them there fancy phones that take pictures and stuff, golly.
After departing the train with no phone, I realized I lost an earring. Great, now I don't have a phone and my ears are naked!
In the scheme of things though, none of it was that big of deal. I still had both kids and my mom so that's a good thing. I would rather loose my phone than my camera or wallet, both of which were also in the camera bag. And I would rather loose my earring than my wedding rings. So, being the glass is half full kind of gal that I am, I will just look at it as a reason to finally get a new phone and buy myself a fancy new pair of earrings.
We finally made it back to the trailer and I immediately laid down to try to get over the motions sickness. Thus the reason I am now a day behind blogging this adventure of ours because there was no way I was going through photos last night.
And if anyone is still reading considering I am half asleep right now and I am sure I am making no sense what so every, I will try to get the blog caught up tomorrow. I promise. Good Night!
Not only will it take a while but it is day late, sorry but I had a rough day yesterday. How you ask? Just site tight and I will catch you all up.
The day started like any normal June day as we loaded up for the drive From Durango to Silverton, Colorado. If you think it looks cold, you are incorrect, it was freezing! Yikes, back to the truck to thaw, dang it was cold.
Fortunately, that was just at the pass and once we got to Silverton the weather was not as bad. It was about 55 degrees and sunny.
Our plan was to do a little hike with Vince and Holly but they discovered that the trails they had planned to take us to were still covered in snow so we decided to nix that plan and we drove on up the Alpine Loop to Animas Forks. Animas Forks is an old ghost town that use to be a bustling mining community but the mine closed as prices dropped and everyone was gone by the 1920's.
You will notice that the route to Animas Forks is called a 'loop' and not a road. This was about an hour of bumping and bouncing to make it to our destination while driving dangerously close to the edge of very steep drop offs.
We made it though with no major problems except for my growing exhaustion from car sickness.
It was totally worth it though because it was beautiful.
Don't ask Reed about the drive because he slept the whole way up and back. I have no idea how he managed to do that!
Millie was excited to have a snow ball fight with Rick, Vince and Holly.
After both kids were finished throwing half the rocks in Colorado into the river, we loaded up and heading back down the loop toward Silverton.
We had just enough time to eat, walk around town just a bit and head toward the train station where the kids, my mom and I would ride the train back down the mountain to Durango passing right through our campsite along the way. Here are a few shots of the town.
On to the train! Because Reed did declare as soon as he woke up that morning that is was "Train Day!" And kept asking over and over..."When will we ride the train? Who will ride the train? Why are we riding the train? Will the train have hook ons?"
Is anyone still reading this? Should I even go on because it's 1am and I am TIRED! Ok, I will keep going.
Finally, we were on the train and ready to take it down the mountain. I had no idea it was going to be 4 hours. Remember the Alpine Loop we had just spent about 2 hours bouncing around on? Not to mention the drive up the mountain to begin with. Well, I sure did because I still didn't feel good. But it was "Train Day" so what was I to do but to ride the train.
It was truly beautiful, even if it did make me feel sick the whole time.
Other than massive amounts of motion sickness at this point for me, the day had been pretty good. But about an hour from Durango, things started going down hill...no pun intended.
The punk kid sitting in front of me (who was out of control the entire ride) decided to take a big drink of orange juice and then spit it all out all over his seat. From there it ran down to the floor and started coming towards Reed and I. I grabbed my camera bag off the floor and set on on the seat by the open window. For some crazy reason, I had put my phone in the top flap on my camera bag and when I put the bag on the seat, the only thing I can figure it the flap flipped open toward the window and my phone fell out the window. So now my phone resides somewhere between Durango and Silverton along the railroad tracks. I am sure some prairie dog has found it and is calling everyone in my phone book. If you get a call from a prairie dog, ask him where my phone is please. I really want it back because it is an antique and they don't make them like that anymore. I am very sad about this. Guess I will have to get one of them there fancy phones that take pictures and stuff, golly.
After departing the train with no phone, I realized I lost an earring. Great, now I don't have a phone and my ears are naked!
In the scheme of things though, none of it was that big of deal. I still had both kids and my mom so that's a good thing. I would rather loose my phone than my camera or wallet, both of which were also in the camera bag. And I would rather loose my earring than my wedding rings. So, being the glass is half full kind of gal that I am, I will just look at it as a reason to finally get a new phone and buy myself a fancy new pair of earrings.
We finally made it back to the trailer and I immediately laid down to try to get over the motions sickness. Thus the reason I am now a day behind blogging this adventure of ours because there was no way I was going through photos last night.
And if anyone is still reading considering I am half asleep right now and I am sure I am making no sense what so every, I will try to get the blog caught up tomorrow. I promise. Good Night!
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