On the last full day of our Colorado vacation, we went river rafting with the Richardson family. Because Asher and Caden are only four and five years old, we were only allowed on Class 1/2 rapids. After the fact, I would NOT suggest doing this rafting trip unless you can go on Class 3 rapids (your children must be 7 years old is what I was told). The kids had fun though as we leisurely floated down the river.
After our 3 hour hike, we ventured out to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park! Yes, we were tired, but in our vacations, we jam pack excursions in! 🙂
Alpine sledding down the mountain! That ride was super fun!
Ella does NOT like to go fast, so I guess plugging her ears and closing her eyes helped?! 🙂
Glenwood Caverns is an amuesment park on top of a mountain. You can only get there by gondola or bus.
They loved going through the maze!
James and I rode on this crazy thing! 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, on the Giant Canyon Swing! I’m pretty sure it was the scariest ride of my life.
James went on a 2nd and a 3rd time so I could take pictures of him and he got video with his cell phone!
The last thing we did that day was go into one of the caverns they have at the park.
Ella learning about stalagmites and stalagtites in King’s Row Cavern!
A descent of 150 feet down through spacious passages to King’s Row, the most highly decorated cave room in Colorado. Stunning formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and cave bacon.
On Tuesday, the 15 of us started out with a 2 1/2 mile round trip hike to Hanging Lake. Hanging Lake is a jewel nestled in the Rocky Mountains! The hike was difficult and rocky, (1000 feet elevation gain), but the kids were ALL champs! We even had a 2 year old with us! I totally recommend this hike, the accomplishment of completing it WITH my family was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip!
all 15 of us! Friends since 1998!
We made it!
If you hike up about 5 minutes higher, you will find Spouting Rock where you can walk behind the waterfall!
I’m standing behind the waterfall. Can you see some of the kids?
At the bottom, the hike is done!
Me and the girls went on a 2 hour horseback ride up and down a mountain in Avon, CO! It was challenging, but the views were gorgeous! Rilyn said, “They make this look a lot easier in the movies!” At one point, Rilyn was crying because her horse kept eating grass and she had to keep pulling on the reins and the leather from the reins was blistering her hands. 😦 The ride was age 7 and up, but Ella needed a guide to lead her horse because she wasn’t strong enough to lead her horse. The ride was definitely good for the girls to go out of their comfort zone and experience something so unique!
About to ride!
I’m ready!
Going downhill!
We just relaxed on Sunday!
Checking out Vail
I told the kids we will get to ride in one of these in a couple days!
There is a hot tub at the cabin we are staying at!
The kids are serenading Jen for her birthday!
We set off on our first long road trip (18 hours!) to Edwards, Colorado for some fun and relaxation with some of our best friends! We are staying in a large cabin together and enjoying the cooler weather and the beautiful views of nature!
Road trip!
Relaxing in the Westin hotel hot tub in Beaver Creek!
Jen, me, and Angela! (Jen was my college roommate and Angela I’ve also known since college!)
Scooter time down a trail
How to get nine kids to sit still for a picture? Give them ice cream! (9 kids=3 families)
We found a river, and the kids played there for 2 hours!
Family vacations are so much fun!
the paquettes 