Just a few leftover July pics...

All Aboard...Riding the Train to Glenwood - AWESOMENESS!!!

In July, Mommy, Harlow, and Olivia rode the Amtrack to Glenwood Springs with Grandma. We got up early, boarded the train in Denver around 8:30am and set out on the 6 hour journey through the mountains. We had no idea how beautiful it would be. We went high up into the mountains to Winter Park, got off for a stretch, went on to follow the Colorado River through Gore Canyon and down the Pumphouse run until we got to I-70. Then we crossed I-70 and followed Glendwood Canyon into the town. We were a little worried that 6 hours would feel like a long time, but it passed by in no time. Daddy and Aunt Tesha met up with us and we had a terrific weekend at the hot springs. Aunt Tesha wasn't feeling great, so the Hotel Colorado gave us an upgrade to a HUGE beautiful room. The hotel is historic and had all the original features and furniture.

 

  Here we are waiting for the train...it was a bit late.

 If you look closely here, you'll see a rock sticking out of this clear, still little pond along the side of the tracks. Amazing!

 



This is Gore Canyon, and we think this is Gore Rapid. There is a little kayaker standing on the rock, running safey for a boater in the water.  You would have to zoom in to see. This is a tough rapid and it was fun to see these guys running it! 

This is a stretch of river that we run a lot as a family. Few rapids but beautiful scenery. We always see the train passing from the river.  Now we were the ones gawking at the rafters! 

Here's grandma enjoying some quiet reading time. This train was plush! 

Once we finally crossed over I-70, we were in Glenwood Canyon. This is the stretch of river that we did our river float on. It was really fun to be back there, but on the train! 

Harlow was ready to get off the train by the end. She loves grandma, and her glasses!

The New Elephant Exhibit at the Zoo

The zoo has this really great new Elephant exhibit. The elephants have a huge home and can roam from one area to the next. It includes grasses, water, indoor areas. And they do this really fun show where they explain how they train them. Did you know that elephants love to swim and get totally submerged. It was really fun to watch.

4th of July in Meadowglen

4th of July in our neighborhood is really fun. We do a parade behind a fire truck with all the kids on decorated bikes to the pool. Then the firemen hook up their hose to the fire hydrant and spray all the kids. It's total chaos at first (but that video was too long to upload!) Instead here is one of Emmett and Olivia spraying the hose. There there are a bunch of swim games and food and activities. It's become our tradition! (when we're in town).