Estes Day 2 Anniversary fly fishing

Thankful for a quick check of our phones and schedules to realize the fishing trip started at 8AM and not 9AM - we went from sleeping to in the car in 3 minutes.  That means no breakfast for this crew!  As soon as we got waiters on it was time to hit a gas station!

Our guides took us right into the Rock mountain national forest.  It was great to bypass the lines, reservations etc.  Headed right to the river - it was surprisingly shallow but moving pretty quick.  Shane and I went one way with Tyler, Chris, Nick and Drew went the other. Drew started the fish catching off.  

Nick snagged a few too to include a rare cut throat

This is a guy is his glory - this is the adventure he was most looking forward too.  Pretty sure if doesn't gett better than fly fishing in the Rocky mountain national park.  Congrats honey on a well planned excursion

Yes, even I caught one - guess the fish really wanted it as I am not the best fisher lady

Shane success!!

In the running for a Christmas card photo!

Or maybe this one!

After fly fishing we could stay in the national park - the drive was amazing and super cool to get this hike too.  here is our little mountain goat.

Fresh off hiking camp - ready to hike to the top of anything nearby

Caught a great smile from his Q-T

the pictures hardly do it justice = but I had to give it a try

Dear me - its a DEER!

Proof that the bedding turns into a Bistro - dinner is served thank you Dad!

The playground at Jellystone - cool, but not as cool as the mini put

There she is, ready to pack up and hit the next stop!

 

Estes Day 1 horseback riding

Day 1 is horseback riding at the Estes YMCA - as a note - if we go back one day, staying at this YMCA would be IDEAL.  so much space, hiking, amenities.  HIGHLY recommend

Here are my riders!  Love Drew's pants?  He had forgotten his token long pants, but thankfully his dress pants worked JUST FINE =)

They loaded us up on horses, we loved the names so much we tried to remember them.

Drew - Enchilada

Shane - Zig Zag

Nick - Raspin

Mom - Redneck

Chris - Chiane 

I will never forget that name as Chris was behind me and chiane was known for being a bit pokey....  chris (and our guide) used her name A LOT.  Beautiful horse - just on her own timeline.

The views on our horseback were stunning.  We walked, and trotted through the trails.  The kids truly enjoyed it and I LOVED it.  

Here was a quick break (3 hour ride, our butts needed a break)  behind us is Ted's teeth.  A cool mountain range that looks just like his teeth

Can you pick out Chiane?

A little rain shower had us bundling up a bit (you can't tell from the bright skies)  our guides were adorably chatty.  The one by us was from NC up working for the summer.  She told us about some great hikes and fun lakes to visit.  Loved her about her exploring as well.  by the time we dismounted - we were ready...

Leadbetter sandwhich time!!  Here right at the Estes entrance sign!  Yet another beautiful sandwhich stop

Drew loved it as someone tipped him off that the chipmunks could be hand fed!  She even gave him extra seed.  These chipmunks were CHUNKY and well fed.  The closest to 'wild life' we would get

Missing a few photos here because we didn't take them.  However after this photo Chris and Nick were motivated to take us to to a summit, any summit.  While the rest were reluctant, we suited up and headed out.  Hiked around this beautiful lake and then headed UP.  I put bobby bones on for entertainment.  Drew and I tuned in.  20 minutes in the skies opened and POURED on us.  Lightening too.  To the point when even CHRIS said we need to turn back.  Shocked, but not willing to wait for a different decision we headed back, dried off and went mini put.

Now to prep for the fireworks.  Thinking we wouldn't be able to clearly see them at our campsite, we found a spot in the grocery store parking lot.  Than we turned around and realized the Stanley hotel was behind us.  Another element on Chris's adventure list.  Up we go to check it out.  Very old fashioned, rather high end and pretty creepy.  Not staying there.

The boys ran through the hedge maze while we waited in line for a fancy drink.  Than we came back to our spot.

Show some pretty spectacular fireworks!  

The drive home as expected had plenty of other cars to contend with, but we made it back for bed - another early planned morning ahead of us!
 

Colorado here we come!

The car is packed - Chris grabbed Nick from his Appalachian trail hiking camp last night (thankfully)  one less connection to make, and nice to have him home emptying bags and showering up.

Love being AT the airport with all the bags checked and the kiddos entertaining themselves with what they packed.

The theme for this trip appears to be Harry Potter.  Those book have truly inspired Shane to be SUCH a reader!

Our flight to Denver was direct - but super cool to be in the Denver airport running into a kiddo wearing the same Avon Old Farms baseball camp t-shirt.

Next to Uber to our truck and trailer that Chris reserved.  The guy we reserved it from was something - a little spacey, a bit too detailed, missing a few things here and there.  I loved Chris's confidence in driving this through the moutains.

First stop (after stocking up on groceries) is Jellystone Park in Estes!  Jelly stone is the home of Yogi Bear and boo boo bear.  right as we roll up, Boo boo bear comes out to meet us.  This is my favorite photo of the 2 boo boo bears together.

This guy is always welcoming

Obligitory family photo.  Gotta say this was our favorite RV park.  The team was SO helpful.  the way they helped Chris back into a near impossible RV site was magical.  Chris didn't even look at the trailer, he only listened to our guide (who completely nailed it! and was from Boston!)

They didn't have a burn ban at this park, so Shane loaded us up with wood and some crazy chemicals that would make the fire turn different colors

We did it!  But honestly I should say HE did it.  This is a Chris planned vacation and being in an airstream is his bucket list.  He planned the sites, excursions etc.  Its great to see we finally made it!

This site had a mini put course that the kids ADORED. which meant we could go hiking.  Here is the view from our campsite.  I had hoped it would be far enough the view tomorrow night's fireworks, but maybe we should leave that up for chance.

The boys really had 'just enough' room for everyone and plenty of blankets.  No need for the AC tonight.  It cooled off just perfectly.

These were our sleeping accommodations - not bad right?  we loved the storage below the bed and above.  The door to the right is the bathroom.  Just enough space...