Last Saturday we didn't have anything going on, so we thought we'd head to the mountains. We decided upon Aspen. It's about 3 hours away and we thought it would be a nice drive for a day trip (or so I thought--as it turned out, Mike had different plans all along).
I am a planner, and I think Mike wanted to test my spontaneity. I think I did pretty well (I maintained my sanity and did not even demand we purchase overnight toiletries). After an hour or two the kids started asking when we were going to arrive at our hotel (they have this traveling thing down pretty well). I said we weren't going to a hotel, but Mike was more noncommittal. Then as we were driving through the harrowing Independence Pass, Mike nonchalantly mused, "This would be scary to drive back down at night...maybe we should see if we can find a room in Aspen."
This is a picture of the kids (and bear) at our hotel.
We headed over to Snowmass. A less ritzy (and more financially accessible) village just about 10 minutes away. We checked into a room and then walked over to where we could ride a gondola for free. It was a very short trip, but really fun for the kids who had never done anything like that. (Ezra doesn't remember the one we rode in Garmisch, Germany when he was 6 months old, ha ha.)
We walked around town a bit, sat in a giant chair,
watched a giant fire,
got some cuddles from a giant bear at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory,
and dug in the dirt for dinosaur bones at the Snowmass Discovery Center. (Mike looks annoyed by my picture taking. The look was intentional. I can't imagine why...)
Then we stopped by a grocery store for some incidentals (diapers) and headed to Aspen for a bite to eat. We ate at a ribs place that also had a handy bear for a photo op.
Back in the room with no jammies or toothbrushes (thank the good Lord we DID bring Judith's "Dolly" and Jonas' "Woof-Woof") we climbed into bed in various states of undress.
The next day we headed to the Maroon Bells--the most photographed peaks in North America. They did not disappoint.
Poor Judith was not feeling well. We knew this before we left and did bring a thermometer and some Motrin for her. She'd been running a fever for a few days but was fine after the meds took the fever down. Sunday was really her worst day however, with very little energy. :(
Ezra in front of the beaver dam.
You can't really see behind them, but there was a pretty creek rushing through there down to the lake. Such fake smiles! Looks like they're in pain.
Judith in an Aspen (with an untied shoe--not that it mattered...she was being carried the whole time anyway).
Forever climbing on rocks. "See rock, must climb."
On our way to Aspen, we got out here and didn't even make it the quarter mile to the look-out before it started pouring rain. We hightailed our soggy rears back to the car and headed down the road. Sunday we were able to stay dry. :)
You might notice our clothes are the same in every picutre. Argh. I'm hoping the sweaters on and off shots are enough to vary it. :)
It was really a beautiful drive. I can't wait to go again in the fall when the leaves are changing!
