We planned a trip at the beginning of the summer to go to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Then, we decided to move across the country. We talked about cancelling it but instead we made it longer and added friends. We started the weekend at Florissant National Monument for some petrified stumps and fossils.
Charlie needed lots of breaks on our 2/3 mile hike. We were hoping to get here early and not hike in the blazing sun. Instead we got there mid day, just in time for the heat.
When we got to the "Big Stump" everyone in our party was elated to see a bench in the shade.
Peter was so excited that he drooled.
Viola wanted to take our picture in front of the "Big Stump"
See the saw blades stuck in the "Big Stump"? That's where some very smart people tried to saw it into little pieces. The "Big Stump" won.
Charlie became a Florissant Junior Ranger. He took his oath and secret hand shake very seriously.
Then off to the fossil quarry (outside of the monument) to find our own fossils.
Charlie gave up fossil hunting when he saw that they had trucks.
Peter fossil hunts with his mouth. Not the most effective method.
Our neighbor found this beauty.
The Lebeddas joined us in the evening for sausages cooked on "ye old kitchenette" in cabin #8. It was a roomy double full so all nine of us fit perfectly. Don't be fooled into thinking that cabin #8 was secluded in the woods. Cabins #7 and #9 were only feet away as were all of the other "cabins."
But there were plenty of good times and rocks to be had.
After a failed attempt to stop at Garden of the gods we headed off to the dunes.
Emi couldn't resist the call of the sand to dig her hands in.
That sand is hot! After a short tromp with shoes full of hot rocks and sand the moms decided to head back to the shade by the river while the dads climbed the dunes.
Much better!
The kiddos were all quite happy to have some frolic time by the river.
There are so many different ways to get wet and sandy.
Can you see the little dot a'top of the dune on the right? That's Brian and Rich.
Peter was quite happy to splash in the water.
Then we had to clean the sand off of the children and made it back just in time for chili burgers and fish and chips at the Oasis restaurant and this incredible sunset view from our room.
And lots of humming birds!
Following a pre-sunrise departure by the Lebedda family the Newells headed to the visitors center for Junior Ranger-ing and some disappointing (and expensive!) chocolate.
A second attempt to find parking at Garden of the gods proved successful. But as you can see it was a congested sightseeing experience.
But still awesome despite the hoards of other visitors.
I don't know if you can tell but Peter was not super enjoying his time at Garden of the gods. There was some crying.
Viola loves rocks!
Then I let him out of the carrier and blamo, happy.
Another one by Viola. I think that she was trying to get artistic with this one.
It was a fun last hoorah seeing some of our Colorado bucket list. Thanks for the good times Colorado, we will miss you.
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