Vacation

The Colorado Springs and Breckenridge legs of the Byrd-Johnston-Bennett-Butler Colorado Visit 2K9 is officially over. My parents and grandparents rolled into town last Friday after 18 hours of driving across the country in a Ford Aerostar van that is usually filled with my grandfather's wooden toys. For this trip, it was packed with furniture for us (two twin beds and a big comfy chair that my parents took turns napping in on the ride westward).

That night, we went to get mattresses for the bed and came back to the house to enjoy a late supper. The group that night consisted of Joel and I, my parents, my grandparents, aunt and uncle, and Hurley! We all spent the night at our house! It was nice to finally have a place where everyone could fit....maybe not 100% comfortably...but we all fit!

On Saturday, my parents stayed in Colorado Springs with us to view a few local sites. We started the day at the REI garage sale (which we were really excited to find that they'll start having once a month!!!). My parents both found some great deals, and Hurley got a new backpack!
Can't you tell how excited she is? She'll have to do some growing for the pack to fit...but I don't think growing will be something she has a problem with over the next several months!

After our outdoors bargain hunting, we had lunch downtown and walked around Old Colorado City and the Broadmoor. At the Broadmoor, we saw a mule deer with 2 fawns right in the flower beds!
One of the deer.
A few from the lake at the Broadmoor.

Saturday night we all went to Aunt Bev and Uncle Wade's in Denver and Hurley got to meet and play with Cede and Bailey (their two Boston Terriers). They got along great, but I'm pretty sure those two were glad for a rest when Hurley left. Sunday, Momma and Daddy and Granny and I headed up to Breckenridge where we spent Sunday and Monday nights. We did some browsing around town and went on two different hikes. On Sunday afternoon, we went to Blue Lakes just south of Breckenridge and it was absolutely beautiful! The hike was a bit more rocky and steep than we anticipated, but it was worth it for the views, and Hurley did really really well for her first time out on the trail, especially considering how rocky it was. I think we'll have to get her some boots to go with her backpack!

Hurley trying to convince Daddy to go rock-climbing with the rope.


One of the most interesting parts of the day occured when we got back to the car. There were 4 mountain goats waiting for us!


A safer viewing area.

My parents at Blue Lake.
With my mom and Hurley.

With my dad and Hurley.

On Monday, we found a trail right in Breckenridge that had some great views of the town and lots of neat old mining artifacts. This was a nice relaxing hike after Sunday's trek. We then took the scenic route back to Colorado Springs where we met Joel for supper before my parents headed to Denver.