Spring Break - Day 3

We woke up to a chilly, windy morning.  I decided Danny and I were not going to get in the water.  He was already so exhausted from the trip, not getting regular naps.  We had cinnamon rolls in our room and then Joe and the kids went swimming.  I got everything packed up for our trip home while Danny napped. 

 Tired kids!

 The view of the mountains from our room.

 Our "I love you" sign :)

We were able to tour a cabin to see what we thought of them.  We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and we are renting 2 cabins at the hot springs.  We were impressed!  We can't wait to go back in November!

After we checked out of our room, we headed back to Buena Vista for brunch.  We ate at restaurant that had been recommended by several friends, Rooster's Crow Cafe.  I have to say, we were impressed!  I was amazed at how many great restaurants this little town had!  After brunch, Joe took the kids for a last hike while I tried to feed Danny in the car.  He wasn't having it!  I was hoping he would eat good before our 2 hour trip home.  Luckily, he passed out as we were leaving town and didn't wake up again until we got to the Springs.  Lexi and Chris napped, as well.

Here are some pictures Joe took.

We had a great trip!!!

Spring Break - Day 2

We started off day 2 by swimming.  It was a cool morning, but quickly warmed up.  The water is amazing!

 The kids wanted to jump in the water all the time!  This pool was 96 degrees.  The pool in the background was 104 degrees.  Over to the left was Chalk Creek.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of it.  It was so neat to sit in a warm/hot creek at the end of March in the mountains!

 Danny never complained.  He loved the water!  He just floated.

 After swimming, we headed back into Buena Vista  for lunch and some more hiking.  We went to the popular burger joint in town.  It was great!  We ate our lunch at a nearby park on the river.  Everywhere you go in Buena Vista, you are near the water.  To live by the mountains and water?  Amazing!  We would move there in a minute if there were job opportunities for Joe.

 The kids cleaning their faces in the water.  They had ketchup faces!

After this, we were exhausted.  We went back to the hotel for a break.  Danny really needed a nap and we just watched a movie.  That evening we went to Salida for dinner.  After dinner, Danny and I went back to the room for a bath and bed.  Joe to the kids swimming again. 

Spring Break - Day 1

At the end of spring break, we went to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and Buena Vista.  We stayed 2 nights at the resort.  We did a lot of swimming, hiking and eating!  This is day 1.  We arrived in Buena Vista 2 1/2 hours before we could check into our room at the hot springs.  I took the family to a restaurant Julie and I went to last summer.  It was great and then we hiked along the river.

 This is in Buena Vista on the river front.  It is a living room made from metal and tiles.  It was very awesome and creative!

 Hiking a long the Arkansas River.

 We found the entrance to an old mine.  It was full of water and trash.  Gross!

 The kids wanted to put their feet in the freezing cold water.

After this, we headed to the hot springs for swimming!  For dinner, we went to Salida and I had the best slopper yet at Wallbanger's.  I will definitely be going back! 

Buena Vista and Aspen

Julie and I took a trip to Buena Vista and Aspen last weekend.  I rented us a cabin in Buena Vista and it was so cute!  I can't wait to take Joe and the kids there.  I love BV and would love to live there one day.  It is a small town of less than 6,000.  It has so much to do right there in town and very close by.  The Arkansas River runs through the town and a lot of the houses have the river right in their back yards!  I love listening to the river flow.  We didn't even see any bugs by the water.  There is fishing at a small pond in the center of town.  You can kayak anywhere you see water.  There are mountains everywhere, perfect for hiking.  You see kids and families out everywhere.  Cars are not needed in town.  The houses are beautiful.  Here are a few pics from our trip.

Our cabin.  It had a full (but small) kitchen, dining area, bathroom, living room and 2 sleeping areas.  Outside in the middle of the complex was a hot tub, horseshoes, tetherball, lounge chairs and volleyball.  The cabin was pretty much right in town, but it didn't feel like it.

The Arkansas River.  We hiked along it our first night there.

Julie and I the first night getting burgers at a popular place in town.  They had the best onion rings!

The Maroon Bells in Aspen.  It was an overcast, cool day, but still beautiful.  I can't believe we have lived in CO for 10 years and have still not been to places like this!

A Marmot on the rock.

The drive up Independence Pass to get to Aspen.  This pass is closed for half of the year because it is too dangerous to drive.

Independence Pass

We spent one day in Aspen, but I didn't take any pics of the town.  It is very quaint, cute and remote.  I loved it as well.  You have to have money to spend any time there!  There is shopping and restaurants galore.  Huge houses on the mountains.  I was a little disappointed we didn't see anyone famous :)

The next day we spent at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.  A great day for relaxing!