Colorado

During spring break, we packed up the family and headed to Colorado where Carissa lives.  Justin & I had been out to Rifle only once before when we drove out with Carissa before she started teaching.  We'd never had the chance to go back.  But since our spring breaks lined up and we had the ability to take Xander out of daycare for a week, it worked out to travel out to Colorado with Mom & Carl. 

We were unsure how Xander would handle the L-O-N-G drive west, but in all honesty, he did very well.  He slept some and entertained himself or was entertained by others most of the time.  We also stopped every couple hours to eat, gas up, change diapers and walk around. 

Chatting with Grandma

Fun with my shoes

Happy Boy - we appreciated this!

Finally asleep

Stretching his legs with Daddy

We spent a couple days at Carissa's place.  It was nice to see her digs.  She's got nice space for herself and Pooh Bear.  Thursday after we'd lounged around a bit we agreed to an "easy" hike where Carissa and a friend of hers went occassionally.  The weather was beautiful, we didn't even need coats.  Unfortunately, not all of the ground was dry, so some parts of the hike were a bit slippery.  Carl & I didn't hike as far as Carissa, Justin & Mom, but we did get to see some pretty landscape.  Carissa showed us where there was a natural archway in the mountainside (or would it be hillside?).  This indicated about where the trail stopped.  She mentioned that some people would go rock climbing at this point.  We did not. :)

Our terrific hiking guide!

The view from where the hike plateaued

See the little "hole" in the hillside in the middle right side of the picture?  That's the natural archway.

A closer view of the archway (looks like a chip out of the rock)

Xander was carried in a baby backpack strapped to Carissa's back.  Good thing she did the carrying because I am certainly out of shape and would have winded me much more than just the climb did!!  He ended up falling asleep fairly quickly. 

Xander peacefully asleep

View on the flat stretch of the hike

Later that day we took a gondala up to the Glenwood Caverns in Glendwood Springs.  We ended up going up an hour before the tours ended.  And since it was just starting to warm up, a lot of the adventure park was not yet open.  It was still interesting to see and the view was beautiful!  Xander did not like the gondala ride.  You'll note in the pictures Xander with his binky. A lot.  He and his binky were very close friends this trip.

Look left (their left)

Look right (their right)

Hi Mom! (see how we love our binky?!)

A family photo at the top (Glenwood Caverns)

Mom & Carl at the top - beautiful background!

After a couple days in Rifle, we ventured on to Fraser, which is right outside Winter Park.  The weather was bad on the drive up the pass.  This made me extremely nervous, so I tried not to look out the window (even though I was in the front seat) and attempted not to think about it!  But we made it safely.  We had a condo to stay in.  We had supper with Diedrich at Hernando's on Friday night (YUM! Soo good!) and then chilled at the condo that night.  Saturday we met Erika & the kids at Diedrich's place, did a little shopping in the morning and then went to Winter Park after lunch at Smokin' Moe's to see the base (of the resort).  We had anticipated skiing, bringing along all the necessary equipment, but it didn't work out this time.  Apparently, it would have been a bad day to ski anyway because of the wind and icy slopes.  After checking out the base, Mom, Carissa and I did a little more shopping in the afternoon (and picked up some great jewelry!!) while Carl, Erika & the kids and Diedrich went back to Died's place to watch the UNI basketball game.  UNI did REALLY well this year so it was neat they were able to watch the game during some free time.  Xander & Justin went back to the condo b/c Xander wasn't feeling well.

That night we had a nice spaghetti supper, which led to us having a hard time getting the stove to turn off (silly bugger made the condo VERY warm).  We all went to bed a little earlier than previous nights in anticipation of the long, early drive ahead of us the next day.

Our trip home was not as comfortable.  Xander still wasn't feeling well.  (More about this later)  The altitude hurt his ears, and for a portion of the trip he cried very loudly w/out letting anyone comfort him.  He did finally sleep and allow us some quiet.  Although a very tight fit in the Enclave, we made it home safe and sound and tired.  :) 

Xander's trip, unfortanetly, was less enjoyable.  Xander didn't sleep well.  He had a fever almost the entire trip and was pushing -about- 4 teeth while we were away from home.  He didn't want to eat anything but formula, and even that was intermittant.  He did have his moments where he was happy and played with everyone, but we spent a lot of time trying to make him feel better and just hoping he would sleep enough that the fever would break.  Of course, half-way home to Iowa, his fever finally left and he was much happier.  I think he slept about 3/4 of the trip home. 

It was nice go out and see Carissa, but there is nothing like Home Sweet Home!