A vacation on vacation....

This morning we woke up whenever we wanted...no alarm needed!  And....the first kid chose 6am to wake up!  After shooing him back to bed, we all got up and moving around 9.  We were determined to make it to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool today.
We were all really excited about this while planning our trip to Ouray....that was before R broke her wrist and had a cast put on.  I have to say, our day would have been much more fun if she would have been her normal self...or at least had a waterproof cast.  Walking up to the Hot Springs, you are very welcomed.  There is the cutest park and the mountains that are a constant backdrop don't hurt either. 
We didn't plan ahead as well as we should have so....we didn't have any towels to take other than the bath towels in the cottage.  No good.  So, luckily they rent towels to people like us!  The unprepared people of the world.  We also rented a locker to stuff all of our clothes and my camera bag in.  Then we shivered our way to the pool. 
The warm, steaming...pool.  R was glad there was a rim all the way around the springs so she was able to relax too.  We did wrap her arm up like it was being sent to Alcatraz but....we failed.  She still had a bit of water in the baggie.  The kids were bummed that the slides were closed for winter but they still managed to swim and enjoy themselves.  The water really does feel amazing.  Soothing and warm, the shallow part of the pool we stayed in was 99 degrees today.  
G loved it....he was swimming all over the place, chubby face flushed with the warmth from the waters.  The big kids tired of the Hot Springs a little quicker....I know for R it was her cast that was the problem.  She even asked if we could just take it off and let her swim!  T could have ventured all over the pool but stayed with us....I have a feeling he was up late texting a certain girl back home. 
The water was wonderful though.  We stayed a few hours and headed back to the cabin.  While we were eating leftover pizza (from the Ouray Convenience Store last night-killer pizza! and better prices than anywhere else in town)....I looked at B and asked him if he felt super tired and if his muscles felt all...loopy.  He said, "Yeah, you're relaxed."  Wow.  It's been so long since I have felt relaxed that I just thought I was a little off.  My shoulders were all tensed up this morning from sleeping on the super soft beds here in the cabin...I guess I just can't hang with a soft bed....but now they are loose and feel great.  We all seemed to be in a trance after the Hot Springs and lunch...and I'm assuming the hot, soothing water had something to do with it.  
Anything that relaxes my kids.....I am willing to try again and again.  My boys wake up going full speed and do not stop until they finally just....pass out. 

B headed out to the boys. They are in the shallow end at 99 degrees.  The lanes were 77 degrees and the hottest area was 106!

We have enjoyed our cabin so much, being able to spread out and have use of a full refrigerator has been a life saver.  The Elkhorn Cabins are very spacious and open, the high windows show off the mountains behind us.  We also have a companion in the house....Root Beer the Elk.  I find him a bit sad, you know with only half of a body and all.  But the kids still named him.  The loft in the cabin is huge....3 beds, a bathroom and plenty of room for play.  Even though we have all of those beds...only one of the kids is sleeping upstairs.  The younger two decided that the couch bed downstairs would be much more comfortable....I have a feeling it is because Mom and Dad are downstairs too.  The stairs have come in handy at drying all of our snow gear and the gas stove that heats the entire house is amazing.  Remember, if you mention my blog you can receive 15% off on the rental of an Elkhorn cabin for your own family adventures.  I really should have taken pictures of the cabin before we uh....settled in.  Now, it just looks like home, scattered with hoodies, books, games and blankets.  Blankets are a must because my kids are native Texans through and through they are used to stripping down the moment they walk through the door and not thinking a thing about it.  They have come to the realization that they may be able to strip down but they will most definitely need a blanket at the ready. 

G catching up on a little work....

The snowgear hanger....

Family Adventure Day #4....Snowbound....in a good way.

I have so many pictures from today, it is unreal.  We went to the Ouray Ice Park this morning, with the sun shining bright and the kids decked out in snow gear.  First we had to meet with our guide, Matt, at the San Juan Mountain Guides office..which is located downstairs at the super hip Backstreet Bistro and coffee shop.  I knew I wouldn't be climbing today, poor R is in a cast because of her broken wrist and I didn't want her to be the only one not ice climbing.  Ice climbing would usually be on the "not going to do it" list for her, but after she saw the boys climbing up, she was actually bummed that she couldn't.  The guys got hooked up with the climbing gear and we headed out to meet Matt at the Ice Park. 
We took about a 1 minute drive out of town, we arrived at the Ouray Ice Park, parked and walked up the winding road to the park. 

If you have not thought about putting ice climbing on a list of things you would like your kids to try...please just do it.  The boys thoroughly enjoyed it.  I know it has to do a lot with our guide, who was amazing with the kids (and the Hubs).  He was patient and calm and let everyone go at their own pace while pushing them as far as he thought they could go. 
G, our 5 year old, is now destined to be an ice climber.  After his third climb up (!) he mentioned that he was going to "be an ice climber and move to Ouray".  The Ice Park itself is a pretty amazing place, it's completely free and sought after by ice climbers worldwide.  Take some time and read their story and see how determined these climbers are. 
They have plenty of options for climbers from kids to advanced.  You don't have to climb to visit the park, you can park yourself on either side of the bridge and watch the climbers  in the gorge.  I was amazed by the strength and determination climbers have. 

My 3 hard heads...

Super Guide, Matt...helping G up to climb

He made it to the top!

Thanks, Matt!

T heading up!

T made it up too!

Even B gave it a try!

My little bystander and her Daddy

2nd climb for G

2nd climb of the day for T

Pow!

The view....

We will all remember this ice climbing adventure forever and the boys now have supreme bragging rights....if you ever make your way to Ouray definitely check out the Ouray Ice Park and I highly recommend using the San Juan Mountain Guides, educated and experienced (and work great with kids and beginners). 
After our adventures on the ice....we stopped off at Duckett's Market for some deli meat and bread and came home and ate the best sandwiches ever.  You know how good a sandwich is while you're at the beach?  Same feeling here.  The boys ate like that sandwich was about to get up and walk away.  Stuffed but still not tired (how are they never tired?!)...they talked B into a snowball fight. 
We then made our way across the street to the Uncompaghre River Walk, a 2 mile loop of land that you can stroll on.  We chose to hang in one spot though and play, play, play.  Snowmen and snowballs.  They were in heaven.  Those moments that you look up and realize that some people get to look at this scenery everyday....just blows me away.  Spectacular mountains surround you everywhere you go in town.  B says he's ready to pack up and move.  T has other plans.....he's decided that he likes the snow but he's glad he's a Texas boy.  His hands felt like they were about to fall off after making a snowman and bombarding his dad with about 100 snowballs. 
Tomorrow, we are going to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and the kids can not wait.  I figured that one day break from the snow wouldn't hurt.  And lazing the day away in 100 degree water doesn't sound so bad either. 

Family Adventure Day #3...Colorado, we have arrived. Hide your breakables.

We have made it!  I have to say....leaving Santa Fe this morning was bittersweet.  We had expected to spend the night at the Inn on the Alameda two nights (due to the car craziness, that didn't happen) so the one night really didn't cut it.  We had an awesome breakfast there and had to take off. 
What's 5 more hours of a road trip when you're the Griswold's anyway? 
The drive was amazing though!  So much better then the trip from Roswell to Santa Fe where I started to miss Home Sweet Texas oh-so-much.  It was pretty barren with a sparse amount of bushes instead of trees and no green grass to speak of.  I am one of those people that needs green around me!  Roswell...and until about 30 minutes outside of Santa Fe....it was pretty depressing. 
But hitting Santa Fe was like an oasis!  Great looking town, full of trendy people riding bicycles and lots of great options for fun. 
On the way to Ouray we saw so many amazing sights.  I had some of those moments where you tear up at the sheer beauty of God's work.  The colors and landscape were pure beauty. 

New Mexico

Almost to Colorado....

The DVD player was not turned on until about 2 hours from Ouray. All three of the kids were pretty mesmerized by the scenery.  It's funny how on a road trip everything turns into a huge sight seeing mission....Look!  A snow covered rock! ....Look!  A red barn!!.....
I can not tell you how many pictures of barns I have on this memory card....I'm pretty much obsessed with them.  The landscape was just so completely different than anything the kiddos are used to, they were as excited as we were at all the beauty.  And it's hard to get a 13 year old boy excited about anything but girls....but he was looking out of the window just as much as the rest of us.  As well as schooling us on all the trivia of the area...because he is the Mr. Wizard of this generation.  (If you don't know who Mr. Wizard is, you totally missed out on a great show and you should Google it.  Like now.)

Colorado

Amazing beauty

Driving up the mountains turned out to be quite the experience.  Winding, curvy and HUGE drops on the sides....glad B was driving and not me!

We are now in the gorgeous, little town of Ouray, Colorado.  Ouray is known as the Switzerland of America....I can totally see why.  This place is fabulous...quaint little shops and fun pubs.    The people here are so friendly and helpful, the Visitor's Center is a plethora of info and clean bathrooms too!  R let me in on that secret because after all of those winding mountain roads, she was about to wet her pants.  So...good to know. 
We are staying in the Elkhorn Cabins where we are happy to be able to stomp around without worrying about anyone being underneath us or that we're being too loud...which we are.  Always. 
Log cabin luxury.....plenty of bathrooms, TV's and a gas stove to keep us warm and cozy.  Be sure to check out SilverStar Properties....and mention my blog and you can get 15% off for your own stay at Elkhorn Cabins, owned by SilverStar Properties.  Find them on Facebook, too.  I like how close the cabin is to town, and especially to the Hot Springs.   

Main Street, Ouray

We are on Texas time....only an hour difference but still....at 4 o' clock we were ready for dinner.  After unloading the car we decided where we would eat.  Everything here in Ouray seems to be pretty family friendly, even the pubs and breweries.  We decided to eat at Ouray Brewery.  We made a good choice because it was so stinkin' good!  This place just looks small walking in but it has 3 levels...we still chose the smaller 1st level, sitting in a little nook under the windows where we caught some late afternoon sun.  B is a lover of dark ales.....Shiner is unmistakably his favorite ale of choice....so he tried the Box Canyon Dark and loved it. 
The food was so great, we all had burgers and fries (except for G, who had spaghetti with butter and cheese with a side of 3 pickles) and I thought I might have to get some help out the door I was so full. The staff here at Ouray Brewery were wonderful.  Very kind and great with the kids.  G and R had to try out what had to be the coolest barstools ever....chairs, hung from the ceiling with cables.  The bartender welcomed them right up and they had fun chatting with the locals.  I heard G telling a pretty woman at the bar that he was from a little south of Hawaii (Wha?!)....he fit in fine. 

A must while in Ouray

We made a stop at the cute little market just a few doors down from the Brewery for some necessities...and the guy checking us out was quite the character. 
Stopping at Mouse's Chocolates and Coffee was a given. 

Seriously, how cute is this?

Certain things are predictable in our family....stopping at a shop selling chocolates and coffee would be one of those things. 

They even have a coffee drink called The Dirty Hippie...come on!  This place was made for us. 

Mouthful of chocolate

totally trying to steal her goods!

I had a simple cup of coffee and it was wonderful

Notice G....he stole a few pieces of chocolate from his brother and sister...and is paying for it with a tummy ache

talk about selection....

I have some amazing news for you....Mouse's is online and guess what.  They ship to you! 
Find them on Facebook for up to the minute news on the best chocolates and coffee around.

After stuffing ourselves....B decided that he didn't care it was getting dark.  He wanted to take the kiddos out to play in the snow.  And they did.  And they loved it.  It doesn't take much snow to excite these kids from Texas...thank goodness.  Because really...what is better than seeing your kids smiling and playing with each other instead of threatening each other with their lives?

stuck in the snow

snow angels

 We are all exhausted now...well, I am.  The kids are all still going strong.  Tomorrow we are going to attempt ice climbing, the main thing that Ouray is famous for.  People come from all over the world to experience Ouray's free ice park and I am excited to see it. 
I will be the official picture taker with my handy dandy, one armed assistant R while all of the boys try out ice climbing. 
Ouray Ice Park can be found on Facebook and Twitter.  We will be meeting the San Juan Guides bright and early in the morning to start our next adventure. 
Happy Weekend, everyone!



















disclaimer alert.....we did recieve discounted lodging here in Ouray working with SilverStar Properties.  My opinions are still my opinions and nothing but.