Family Vacation 2018 Part 2: South Fork

     The next morning after our somewhat laborious hike we left Colorado Springs and drove to South Fork, where we had rented a cabin. On the way to our destination we stopped at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. In the informational video at the visitor's center every time the park was mentioned the whole name had to be spelled out. So to give it full justice I will say it again: Great Sand Dunes National Park.

     Theatrics aside, the park was very cool and beautiful! We had good weather, although it was a little hot. The river that usually flows through the park had dried up due to drought, so after walking around the dunes for a bit we took respite in the air conditioned visitor's center.

     Another tourist attraction we enjoyed while in South Fork was the Chimney Rock National Monument, a newly established national site for ruins of ancient peoples. These ruins were situated on Chimney Rock because of the astrological importance of the location. Or so we were told. It seemed a plausible explanation as any, but we must take every thing with a grain of salt. Speaking of salt, our tour guide was very well educated in the geology of the area and did his best to pass on the information to us. I should have paid better attention, maybe some of what he said could help me in my Earth Science class this semester.

     On the way back from Chimney Rock we stopped in Pagosa Springs so Mom could reap the enjoyment to seeing some of the Springs in action. We also did a small hike to a waterfall near Wolf Creek Pass.

     That pretty much sums up our summer family vacation (albeit -1 family member). We did have a bit of an unplanned adventure on the way back, but that is a story for another time. 

Family Vacation 2018 Part 1: Colorado Springs area

     The first half of our family vacation was spent in the Colorado Springs area. We left bright and early Sunday morning and made it to Manitou Springs by the afternoon. Since we were dropping off my brother at Summit Ministries in Manitou for two weeks and had an extra spot, I invited my friend to tag along! It really worked out because she had family in the area that she was able to see, as we ate supper with them the first night.

     The next morning we went exploring near the mining town of Victor. We didn't actually do anything in Victor, but we walked on a trail that showcased several old gold mines as well as educated us on mining equipment and history.

     After eating a picnic lunch we ventured back to Manitou Springs to explore the town a bit. We checked out several arcades and art galleries before heading back to our hotel room for the evening. That night we were visited by some family members who live in the area. It was fun to see them and catch up. Another hilight of the trip for Mom was seeing all of the springs in Manitou. Below is one called "Iron Springs." Most of the springs tasted like alka-seltzer, but this one tasted like pennies!

     The next morning marked the beginning of our most ambitious day; climbing to the Eyebrow! This is somewhat of an obscure family tradition. Most people don't know what the Eyebrow actually is. We use the term to refer to an eyebrow shaped ridge of rocks in the mountain range of Pikes Peak. In fact, after ascending to the Eyebrow you can keep climbing and eventually reach the Peak. We did not do that however. Mom and Dad were the only ones who made it all the way to the top. My friend and I did not quite make it because we stopped just below the tree line. It was a fun hike all in all.

Family Vacation 2017 Part 4: San Fransisco

     We started on the road to San Fransisco and arrived at our destination a little before supper. After being reunited with the family members we would be staying with we set out on a short walk to stretch our legs. For supper we had tacos. After supper we enjoyed catching up with our relatives.
    

     The next morning began with crepes for breakfast and a trip to the farmer's market - a new experience for me! We picked up lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and some other items to supplement our meals.

 

     After we returned and ate an early lunch we headed out on a sightseeing trip to Filoli, a grand estate and with fine gardens turned into a museum. Filoli was built in the early 1900's and had two owners before it was open to the public. The gardens were impressive and the estate as a whole was elegant.

     Sunday morning we went to church. It was good to worship together in the body of believers, even so far away from home. After lunch we drove to a nearby park to play laser tag. In the evening we roasted s'mores over their new fire pit.

     Memorial Day morning we woke up early to go to the tide pools. It was cold, but we bundled up. The tide was out, leaving pools of water containing creatures like sea urchins, anemones, and crabs.

    

Family Vacation 2017 Part 3: Yosemite

     The park has become busier in previous years, so after breakfast we left the house to ensure we got a parking spot. After securing our parking we set out on a hike for Bridal Veil Falls. The river was especially high from increased snow melt and the mist from the falls was refreshing. After viewing the falls we decided to take a bit of a longer hike back to our car to closer view El Capitan. In total, the roundtrip was about 5 miles.

     For lunch we had a picnic in the shade under some pine trees, which was very relaxing. After lunch a second impromptu hike was decided upon to catch a glimpse of Yosemite Falls from afar. This one was about two miles. Supper that night was very delicious spaghetti.

     Our second day in Yosemite started out at Glacier Point. We got a different view of the park and even saw some snow!

     For lunch we hiked up Sentinel Dome where we shared our picnic with a stupendous 360 degree view! The park was starting to fill up with visitors, so after slipping and sliding down the snow banks we decided to head back to home base and rest for a bit before embarking on more locally sourced adventures.

     This included walking down to see the swollen river, exploring an old train engine and eating pizza for supper. The next morning we slept in and relaxed. Then we left the Yosemite Valley area and headed south.

Family Vacation 2017 Part 2: Las Vegas + more traveling

     Before leaving the Grand Canyon we stopped by the Geology Museum and had one last look at the rim. Then it was off to Las Vegas to visit family! We ate lunch in Williams at Rod's Steakhouse. That was fun because it was a establishment that has been visited by previous generations of my mom's family in the past.

     After that Mom very much enjoyed driving on historic Route 66. We arrived in Las Vegas in the late afternoon and dropped off our stuff at my uncle's house. He then took us to Red Rock National Park where we got to stretch our legs and see more of God's glorious creation!

    After spending the night in Las Vegas we hit the road again. This time our goal was Yosemite National Park! On the way there we stopped to see more relatives, which was a blessing because we hadn't seen them in a while. We arrived at our destination just in time for supper with my aunt and uncle. The next morning we planned to explore the park.

Family Vacation 2017 Part 1: Meteor Crater and the Grand Canyon

     This was our first full-blown vacation as a family in two years. It started out an early Friday morning. We left the house at 7:30 in the morning and started driving. Of course there was the obligatory stop at McDonalds, but this day was all business - driving business. So with a serious mission to make some miles we set out on the road. For supper that night we ate at a Denny's and stayed in a hotel just outside Arizona.

     Saturday morning we crossed the border into Arizona and made a point to stop and see Meteor Crater. Long before human record a meteor from outer space crashed into what is now the state of Arizona. The meteor mostly disintegrated upon impact, but it left a giant crater a mile wide that is boasted as the best preserved meteor crater on earth today.

     After being tourists for a while we ate lunch and headed on to the Grand Canyon. And boy was it grand! Before this trip I don't think I fully understood the true scale of its size! The air was very clear and the views were spectacular.

     For supper that night we ate at the Bright Angel Lodge. Early the next morning we hit the trial - the hiking trail! We made it to Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab trail before heading back up. The going up the trail was more difficult than when we were going down. It was also more crowded. Once we cleared the rim we had lunch and then rested in our room for an hour before venturing out on the shuttle bus system to see more of the rim. Mom especially enjoyed the view from Pima Point.

   

Mini Vacation: Branson

     Partly due to the trip my mother and I took to the Czech Republic, our family did not go on a family vacation this summer. So, we freed up a weekend in the middle of September to go have fun as a family. That just happened to be last weekend.

     We woke up deathly early (5 a.m. to be exact) Friday morning and hit the road at 6. We arrived at Silver Dollar City just in time for lunch. After eating we began to explore the amusement park. For some of the more wild rides, Mom and I stepped aside and let the boys have their fun. However, I did spark up the courage to ride Powder Keg at the very end of our trip.

     Something my mother was really looking forward to was seeing Marvel cave. I must say that it was quite marvelous. However, I have no pictures to record the event.

     The park closes at 6, but there is a free show to visitors after closing time. On a spur-of-the-moment decision, we ended up sitting in on half of the show before heading out to get supper. The show included dog tricks and multiple singing groups.

     The next day, instead of heading back to Silver Dollar City as originally planned, we ventured into the city of Branson. As we passed Silver Dollar City we were glad that we had made a change of plans; a long line of cars stretched out from the entrance!

     Our main goal in Branson was to visit the Titanic museum. At the beginning of the tour each person is given a 'boarding ticket' with the name and information of one of the people who were on board the Titanic. At the end of the museum you could see if your person had survived. I am pleased to say that all but one of our family lived!

     Unfortunately, I have no pictures. Due to copyright issues pictures are not allowed inside the museum.

     Despite all that, it was a very enjoyable weekend for our family!