We are officially now the parents of a teenager! We try to do something special for our kiddos on their birthday, and this year, Mason chose a vacation to nearby Glenwood Springs - something ALL of us could enjoy!
Our first stop was at the Georgetown Loop railroad. A beautiful ride - and not too long. A lot of history.
The reason it's called the Georgetown Loop is because the valley it runs up is too steep to go straight, but too narrow to do switchbacks. So they created a loop where it goes around and then crosses over itself, as you can see in the following photo.
Then on we went toward Glenwood Springs. The next morning, we took a GORGEOUS hike up to Hanging Lake. It was only a couple miles to the top, but they were pretty treacherous miles... full of rocks and steep grades. Oh, but it was SOOOOO worth it!
There were plenty of places to stop for a rest...
But not for long, as this is what was waiting for us when we reached the top:
Needless to say, photos would never do it justice. On the way down, we were so proud to pass all the people going up who would look at little Maddox and say, "He made it all the way to the top?" to which we smiled and said, "Yes, all by himself!"
The trip down also brought about a hiking mascot. Morgan held him for a long time until he finally felt comfortable enough to come out.
Okay, enough of that gorgeous hike... we've got lots more to do. We took a trip up to Adventure Park and found something new this time - a Spelunking Box! This thing was wild - a huge "box" with slat sides so you can see in/out, and it's basically a maze to train people how to go caving... or to see if they can HANDLE it!
I was small enough to be able to do it, but I didn't get 3 feet in there before I made the kids behind me get back out so I could escape! I could already feel my heart pounding and didn't want to get in the middle of it and panic!
The boys (all 3) loved it, though, and went through it many times.
While at the park, we also tried out some mechanical bull riding!
After the park, we took a swim in the hot springs... what a GORGEOUS place...
And then we had a special dinner for the birthday boy.
Our last adventure for this trip was to rent some bikes and go for a fun ride through the canyon. The original plan was for the older boys to ride a tandem, me ride solo, and Michael to pull Maddox in a trailer. Well, the tandem was too big for the older boys - and even too big for me in the front, so the only way it would work was for Michael to pilot the tandem, which forced me to pull the trailer. Whew! Let's just say I burned a few calories that day... been a long time since I pulled a kiddo on a bike.
Overall, a wonderful, wonderful trip... like all of ours usually are!
Michele
And here he is AFTER getting the braces on:
Even now, just a few short weeks later, and his teeth are already looking so much better! The gap has closed and his canines are already making their way into their correct position. Amazing what they can do with a bit of metal wires and a whole lot o' money, huh?
But Rex deserves more attention than he gets at our house. His new home has ten - yes 10 - kids! They are a reptile-loving family... they already have a smaller beardie, a snake, a frog, and something else that I can't remember. They purchased a brand new cage just for Rex and it's even bigger than the one he was in at our house. So although it was tough for me to say goodbye to him, I know he will be well loved.
It's hard for me to even write this post and see these pictures! Just look at him giving me a "hug" goodbye...
Bye-bye, Rex! We love you!
The reason it's called the Georgetown Loop is because the valley it runs up is too steep to go straight, but too narrow to do switchbacks. So they created a loop where it goes around and then crosses over itself, as you can see in the following photo.
Then on we went toward Glenwood Springs. The next morning, we took a GORGEOUS hike up to Hanging Lake. It was only a couple miles to the top, but they were pretty treacherous miles... full of rocks and steep grades. Oh, but it was SOOOOO worth it!
There were plenty of places to stop for a rest...
But not for long, as this is what was waiting for us when we reached the top:
Needless to say, photos would never do it justice. On the way down, we were so proud to pass all the people going up who would look at little Maddox and say, "He made it all the way to the top?" to which we smiled and said, "Yes, all by himself!"
The trip down also brought about a hiking mascot. Morgan held him for a long time until he finally felt comfortable enough to come out.
Okay, enough of that gorgeous hike... we've got lots more to do. We took a trip up to Adventure Park and found something new this time - a Spelunking Box! This thing was wild - a huge "box" with slat sides so you can see in/out, and it's basically a maze to train people how to go caving... or to see if they can HANDLE it! 
I was small enough to be able to do it, but I didn't get 3 feet in there before I made the kids behind me get back out so I could escape! I could already feel my heart pounding and didn't want to get in the middle of it and panic!
The boys (all 3) loved it, though, and went through it many times.
While at the park, we also tried out some mechanical bull riding!
After the park, we took a swim in the hot springs... what a GORGEOUS place...
And then we had a special dinner for the birthday boy.
Our last adventure for this trip was to rent some bikes and go for a fun ride through the canyon. The original plan was for the older boys to ride a tandem, me ride solo, and Michael to pull Maddox in a trailer. Well, the tandem was too big for the older boys - and even too big for me in the front, so the only way it would work was for Michael to pilot the tandem, which forced me to pull the trailer. Whew! Let's just say I burned a few calories that day... been a long time since I pulled a kiddo on a bike.
Overall, a wonderful, wonderful trip... like all of ours usually are!
From left to right, this is Carey, Jazen, Jill, me, and Angie. The only one missing was Stacey, who lives in Mexico now. The six of us together made up a Bible study group... and I use that term loosely because we tended to socialize more than study... but we were together for a long time. Some of my favorite memories include our annual Fall retreats out to Canton where we'd do some serious shopping! Of course, we'd stay up all night eating and gabbin' too... what else would you expect from a group of girlfriends?!
