Colorado Vacation

This summer for the July 4th vacation we went to Colorado. We spent time at Lake Jackson with family and took an excursion to Royal Gorge and Garden of the Gods. We really enjoyed our time there, the weather was wonderful and it was nice to see parts of Rob's side we rarely see. Ethan, of course, loved everything from the jet skiing to non-stop snacking, to sight-seeing.

Here is the view of Lake Jackson from the deck. The water was not too cold or green this year and the temperatures not too hot and NO large hail this time.

Ethan managed to get the best seat on the deck. I think everyone rotated through it. "Move your feet loose your seat" mentality going strong.

Everyone had fun with all the 'toys' at the lake. Ethan talked just about everyone into taking him jet skiing, her even went tubing behind one of them!

Our first stop away from the lake was Royal gorge. I very high suspension bridge. Admission allowed you to do everything so, we walked the bridge, did a petting zoo, visited a little town, rode the incline train, rode the carousal and everything else we could.



Our fishermen. Not sure how anyone would fish from bridge, but they sure say no fishing, just in case you thought you might.

Rob had a sore back the entire trip, not helped by jet skiing (yet did not stop him) so we thought we should size him.

And Grandma Gwen too. I think she did a much better job looking the part.

Inclined Railroad, almost verticle. It is much more of an elevator. In fact the company who made it is Otis. The cars each hold 4 people standing up. 2 trains run at same time.

A view from the bottom, by the river.
The little red dot is a cable car we rode on across the canyon as well.


The next morning we went to Seven Falls. It a a nice waterfall with a heck of a stair climb up and then some really nice hiking.

There were ALOT of steps! And they were steep!

This year Ethan did almost all his own hiking! No one carried him. While it does not looking it here, he was much more lively on the trails then it looks.

A cool place to rest with Grandpa Bill.

The VERY social wild life we saw. Chimpmunks that are not afraid. He was checking Ethan out. One even was in the gift shop. Came to our feet, looked up waited a moment and then moved on. We are told they di it often.

The last stop before heading back to the the Lake was Garden of the Gods. A park where red rocks are just shooting up out of the Earth.

After the trips we were back at the Lake for a few more days. Ethan even helped some of Rob's cousins put up their tents. I don't think he put any rocks under them this time.