Colorado- Day 4

We usually stay a week in Breckenridge and end our trip with HikeMS.  After COVID cancelled the hike and closed most of our normal activities, we decided to only stay 4 full days this summer.  On our last day, we ate breakfast out on the deck and then decided to ride the gondola up to the top of the mountain and hike down.

We took some family pictures before we left for our hike.

We were required to wear masks everywhere we went in Breckenridge.

I didn't take any pictures but our last hike turned out to be quite memorable.  We rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain but could never find a trail that led us back to town.  We "hiked" along the road and then finally found a trail that we thought might lead us back.  After a lot of walking, we finally decided we weren't making any progress.  Jon finally found a steep path that looked like it pointed to town.  We took a chance and helped the kids and Granna down the path and luckily, Jon was right!  We finally made our way to the bottom of the mountain just in time!  A few minutes after reaching the bottom, it started raining.  I was never so glad to see our car!

After the rain stopped, we took the kids into town one more time to wade in the river.  The kids hated wearing their masks but loved playing in the water.

Parker spent most of his free time on the trip reading books we had checked out at the library.  I think he read over 10 books while we were gone.

After dinner, we packed up and got ready to head back to Texas.  We drove the entire way home the next day so we had to leave very early.  It was a short but great trip to Colorado.  I can't imagine a summer without being in the mountains.  Maybe one day we'll win the lottery and we can move to Breckenridge permanently!

Colorado 2020- Day 3

One thing that has been on Jon's bucket list for several years has been to rent Jeeps and drive up the mountain.  Since COVID closed most of our usual Breckenridge activities, we decided this was the perfect year to do it!  I was a little nervous about driving a Jeep up a steep mountain but if there is one thing MS has made me better at, it's getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things, especially when it means my kids get to try new things.  

Parker was so excited when Jon and I got back from the rental office and I had been given a yellow Jeep!  His favorite color since he was a toddler has been yellow and he's already talking about how he wants his first car to be yellow.  

Jon and Emily's neighbors also happened to be in Breckenridge on vacation so they joined us on our Jeep adventure.  Our first destination was a mountain very close to our condo.  The views at the top were beautiful but it was VERY cold and windy and the kids became miserable fairly quickly.  Needless to say, we didn't stay long!  

Parker was SO cold at the top!  He couldn't wait to get back in the Jeep!

After grabbing a bite of lunch back at the condo, we found another trail a little farther away.  This trail was a lot more narrow and steep and might have turned my knuckles white a few times from gripping the steering wheel so hard!  But once we got to the top, the views were worth it!  

The first thing the kids saw when we stopped at the top was snow!  They couldn't wait to go play in it!  They weren't dressed for the snow and their hands were completely frozen by the time they finished.

There was also a beautiful lake up at the top of the mountain that the kids enjoyed exploring.

Parker chose to sit the second ride out so Ryan went with Jon and the girls rode with Emily and I.  We definitely had the more fun car!  There was a lot of laughing and giggling as we went over all the bumps on the trail.   

Emily's neighbors stayed for dinner when we finally made it back to the condo.  Our girls really enjoyed playing with their two girls and I'm glad they were able to join us on our Jeep adventures!

Last year, we went white water rafting.  This year, we rented Jeeps!  I can't wait to see what new adventure the kids and I will attempt together next summer!

Colorado 2020- Day 2

The views from our condo in Breckenridge were amazing! We spent a lot of time bundled up out on the deck just breathing in the mountain air and taking in the scenery.

The first day we were there, Ryan and Parker went exploring and found a teepee on one of the paths.  They couldn't wait to bring the girls back to see it!

There were a lot of great things to explore and collect on the trails behind our condo.  The kids spent a lot of time outside gathering sticks and rocks and just enjoying being outside without melting like we do in July in Texas.

COVID had closed most of our favorite activities this summer, so we spent most of our free time hiking.  Jon found us some great kid-friendly hikes and Granna even joined us on some of them!

We decided to go into Breckenridge to let the girls shop for a new shirt and play in the river that runs through downtown.  They were not happy about having to wear their masks the entire time, especially when they were wading in the river.

Granna brought a new game for us to play and the kids loved it!  We all paired up and played until bedtime.  It was a great first day in Colorado!