Day 7: Colorado Springs, CO to Salina, KS
When you have a kiddo with articulation issues, it takes extra focus and attention to follow what your child is saying. For years it has been this way with Cami, but with years of therapy and hard work, she has made leaps and bounds. There are still a couple of hold-over words that make me smile when she says them wrong. For example, she has called Tornados, "tomatoes" for YEARS. She is afraid of storms because of the tomatoes. She doesn't want to go to tomato alley, and is worried when her cousins have a tomato watch. It got even better when her teacher taught the class about Tsunamis. We heard all about the "salami's", and how they can kill people. I will start to miss this when she finally gets the words right. -Just something to ponder as we head into tornado alley later today...
The morning started out at the Olympic Training Facility in Colorado Springs. They have tours year-round, and I am so glad that we didn't pass up the opportunity to see where the best of the best athletes train. We were given a tour by an Olympic air rifle shooter. We saw the weight/exercise building/track. We were able to view the Basketball, Wrestling, Indoor Shooting, Swimming, and Gymnastics training areas. The movies and media center at the entrance were completely awesome and fun to watch, as they showed highlights from previous Olympic and Paralympic games. It was great to watch the girls get excited about this tour. The grounds are filled with flags from countries around the world that we compete with during the Games. I spied the flag from the African nation of Djibouti in the way out. Of course I giggled. My immaturity aside, I would highly recommend visiting this privately funded American treasure.
The rest of day featured me driving Winnie straight into Tomato Alley. We pulled into Salina, Kansas just before 9pm among clear skies. We grilled some Carne Asada, watched fire flies light up the dusk, and settled into one of the largest fireworks shows we have ever seen. Apparently the owner of this KOA campground bought out a Fireworks tent in town (according to his adult daughter) and decided to give us campers an early 4th of July treat. It was insane. It was fantastic. It was dangerous. It was loud. It was smokey. I loved every minute.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Friends, Summits, & Red Rocks
Day 6: Colorado Springs,CO
Over the past couple of years, we have parked Winnie in San Diego at the Santa Fe Trailer Resort after we come back from our annual Road Tripping. During this time, Natalie has made friends with a girl named Rebecca. Rebecca is a couple of years older, and her family stayed at Santa Fe also, until her father got a job in Colorado Springs and relocated the family. Today we got a chance to meet Rebecca and her mother for lunch, and it was really sweet to watch the girls catch up. They have been writing e-mails and letters, so their conversation just continued where they left off.
Afterward, we took a drive up to Pikes Peek. The elevation reaches slightly above 14,000 ft. -which is above the tree line. It was a beautiful drive, and we got to about 11,500 before Kevin and I started feeling a bit woozie. We pulled into a parking area to wander a bit, watch the chipmunks, and take some photos. We spied the road to the summit from where we were, and decided it best not to drive it just in case we blacked out from a lack of Oxygen. -We aren't really risk takers like that, and the drive looked nail biting. -Yeah, no thanks.
On the way down we visited the Garden of the Gods. The red rock formations jutted from the earth with a beauty that was magnified by the setting sun. This was a perfect way to finish up our sightseeing in Colorado. Our night settled in the campground with a campfire with wine and s'mores.
Over the past couple of years, we have parked Winnie in San Diego at the Santa Fe Trailer Resort after we come back from our annual Road Tripping. During this time, Natalie has made friends with a girl named Rebecca. Rebecca is a couple of years older, and her family stayed at Santa Fe also, until her father got a job in Colorado Springs and relocated the family. Today we got a chance to meet Rebecca and her mother for lunch, and it was really sweet to watch the girls catch up. They have been writing e-mails and letters, so their conversation just continued where they left off.
Afterward, we took a drive up to Pikes Peek. The elevation reaches slightly above 14,000 ft. -which is above the tree line. It was a beautiful drive, and we got to about 11,500 before Kevin and I started feeling a bit woozie. We pulled into a parking area to wander a bit, watch the chipmunks, and take some photos. We spied the road to the summit from where we were, and decided it best not to drive it just in case we blacked out from a lack of Oxygen. -We aren't really risk takers like that, and the drive looked nail biting. -Yeah, no thanks.
On the way down we visited the Garden of the Gods. The red rock formations jutted from the earth with a beauty that was magnified by the setting sun. This was a perfect way to finish up our sightseeing in Colorado. Our night settled in the campground with a campfire with wine and s'mores.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Fun Times on the River of Lost Souls
Day 5: Durango, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
So the story goes that back over 100 years ago, the mining town of Silverton, CO provided an extremely difficult and dangerous way of life for the miners. Travel down 5k feet or so to the town of Durango, with its comforts of warmer small town living, if we were miners, we might think we'd gone to heaven, which is why they call the area (now a ski resort) that is situated between the towns Purgatory. Also between the two towns flows a river from melted snow called the Rio de las Animas Perdidas (or River of Lost Souls). The locals call it the Animas River. The Animas has rapids from category 5 all the way to 1. Today we took the girls on a 4 hour river trip across 7 or so miles.
Slathered in sunblock, equipped in our water shoes, and carrying a bit of apprehension, we boarded yet another "Fun Bus" to our destination along the river in order to board our rafts. Kevin said that we were going on a float. Sounded good. The last time we went on a float was on the Snake River in front of the Grand Tetons. All I took was a camera and some beach towels. Nobody handed this girl an oar, believe me. This, however was not a float. I was told to leave behind EVERYTHING, handed an oar, and given instructions on how to bob along the river correctly if/when I got tossed out. Holy Christ!, no wonder they call this the River of Lost Souls. I believe I said "4 hours?!?" -"Kevin see if it is too late to change us to the 2 hour trip". -He did, they said "um, no, sorry". I entered the raft with my oar and a dread- filled heart while praying for Baby Jesus to keep my family safe. My toes touched the 40 something degree water and I knew I was going to have to suck it up and convince myself and our precious babies that the water was merely "refreshing", and not freezing every time they got splashed -for the next 4 hours.
Did we get wet? Yes. Did we have fun? Definitely. Would we do it again? I am most certain. The rafting trip started with Cami freaking out panic screaming, and ended with her giggling uncontrollably, and asking to go again. Natalie played the good big sister for most of the trip, reassuring her sister that it was fun and that made it a whole lot better. We shared the raft with a kind couple from Texas and their two grandchildren (older than our two girls), and one heck of a great (and seasoned) river guide/ski instructor.
Our day finished up with a 6 hour drive across the stunning Wolf Creek Pass to Colorado Springs. We drove up just before the thunder, lightning, rain, and hail show started. -And just as fast as it came, it ended.
So the story goes that back over 100 years ago, the mining town of Silverton, CO provided an extremely difficult and dangerous way of life for the miners. Travel down 5k feet or so to the town of Durango, with its comforts of warmer small town living, if we were miners, we might think we'd gone to heaven, which is why they call the area (now a ski resort) that is situated between the towns Purgatory. Also between the two towns flows a river from melted snow called the Rio de las Animas Perdidas (or River of Lost Souls). The locals call it the Animas River. The Animas has rapids from category 5 all the way to 1. Today we took the girls on a 4 hour river trip across 7 or so miles.
Slathered in sunblock, equipped in our water shoes, and carrying a bit of apprehension, we boarded yet another "Fun Bus" to our destination along the river in order to board our rafts. Kevin said that we were going on a float. Sounded good. The last time we went on a float was on the Snake River in front of the Grand Tetons. All I took was a camera and some beach towels. Nobody handed this girl an oar, believe me. This, however was not a float. I was told to leave behind EVERYTHING, handed an oar, and given instructions on how to bob along the river correctly if/when I got tossed out. Holy Christ!, no wonder they call this the River of Lost Souls. I believe I said "4 hours?!?" -"Kevin see if it is too late to change us to the 2 hour trip". -He did, they said "um, no, sorry". I entered the raft with my oar and a dread- filled heart while praying for Baby Jesus to keep my family safe. My toes touched the 40 something degree water and I knew I was going to have to suck it up and convince myself and our precious babies that the water was merely "refreshing", and not freezing every time they got splashed -for the next 4 hours.
Did we get wet? Yes. Did we have fun? Definitely. Would we do it again? I am most certain. The rafting trip started with Cami freaking out panic screaming, and ended with her giggling uncontrollably, and asking to go again. Natalie played the good big sister for most of the trip, reassuring her sister that it was fun and that made it a whole lot better. We shared the raft with a kind couple from Texas and their two grandchildren (older than our two girls), and one heck of a great (and seasoned) river guide/ski instructor.
Our day finished up with a 6 hour drive across the stunning Wolf Creek Pass to Colorado Springs. We drove up just before the thunder, lightning, rain, and hail show started. -And just as fast as it came, it ended.
Passing Purgatory -Ski Resort
Day 4: Durango, CO & Silverton, CO
Bus Ride, Jeep Ride, Train Ride. In that order.
We've always heard lots of great things about the train ride from Durango to Silverton (and back). On this trip Kevin thought it would be great to take a ride on this steam engine with the girls, so we made it happen.
We departed on the "Fun Bus" at 8am to Silverton with return tickets for the train ride back departing at 2:30. Hmmm... what to do with 5 hours to ourselves in a teenie-tiny mining town on foot? Well, sign up for a family Jeep tour of the surrounding 10,000+ft elevation area of the old mining area, of course! Sometimes the unplanned parts of the adventure can be the most fun. We traveled parallel to the Animas River along the banks, and took some breathtaking scenic back roads by waterfalls. Our guide was a former History teacher with an incredible knowledge of Geology and Biology and really made the trip fun and educational. He showed (and picked us)lots of wildflowers and could name them all. We took some really spectacular photos.
We got back just in time to grab a bite of lunch before we boarded the train. I knew that the train didn't travel very fast, but wasn't prepared for a 3.5 hour trip in an open car. It was everything that we were told -the views, the smell of pines, the rapids. It was a great ride. What made it even more special was that we were in an open car with a very large Amish family. Mom, Dad, 7 sons, 3 daughters, plus more. They were the nicest family from Ohio, and it was really fun talking with them.
Bus Ride, Jeep Ride, Train Ride. In that order.
We've always heard lots of great things about the train ride from Durango to Silverton (and back). On this trip Kevin thought it would be great to take a ride on this steam engine with the girls, so we made it happen.
We departed on the "Fun Bus" at 8am to Silverton with return tickets for the train ride back departing at 2:30. Hmmm... what to do with 5 hours to ourselves in a teenie-tiny mining town on foot? Well, sign up for a family Jeep tour of the surrounding 10,000+ft elevation area of the old mining area, of course! Sometimes the unplanned parts of the adventure can be the most fun. We traveled parallel to the Animas River along the banks, and took some breathtaking scenic back roads by waterfalls. Our guide was a former History teacher with an incredible knowledge of Geology and Biology and really made the trip fun and educational. He showed (and picked us)lots of wildflowers and could name them all. We took some really spectacular photos.
We got back just in time to grab a bite of lunch before we boarded the train. I knew that the train didn't travel very fast, but wasn't prepared for a 3.5 hour trip in an open car. It was everything that we were told -the views, the smell of pines, the rapids. It was a great ride. What made it even more special was that we were in an open car with a very large Amish family. Mom, Dad, 7 sons, 3 daughters, plus more. They were the nicest family from Ohio, and it was really fun talking with them.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Mesa Verde National Park
Day 3: Cortez, CO to Durango, CO
The early bird gets the worm? -Maybe, but the first few visitors to enter the Visitor's Center at Mesa Verde National Park get their choice of what's left the group tours. The tours of various Pueblo sites require a ticket to a reserved tour led by a National Park Ranger. By the time we got to the visitor's center at 8am, we had decided on the least strenuous of all tours -Cliff Palace, the largest and most magnificent mother of all pueblos. 1pm or later tickets were all that was left. Hmmm. Seemed okay to us, after all, it was only expected to be in the mid-80s. Coming from 120F, we shrugged our shoulders and handed Ranger Strange-name-from-Oregon-with-a-beautiful-2-foot-pony-tail our cash. All Set. We loaded the Jeep, and headed off on various trails and overlooks of Mesa Verde National Park. Truth be told, Cami was feeling off. Not that this is uncommon, but it sure doesn't make life easier. Our first overlook led to many complaints. The wind. The steep hill. The cold breeze. Her aching knees... oh yes, this was starting soooo welllll. I got clever and told her that if she stopped talking long enough, she might be able to hear Mother Nature. That WORKED! She did. -Then I heard Mother Nature. I looked 2 feet past my foot to see a grey snake. It was moving slowly and rustled the grass a little bit which caught my attention. Yikes! I am not a snake person, but...it was small and had a narrow head so I figured that it must not be a Rattle Snake. Let's Go Folks!!
Our turn finally came to meet another Park Ranger with a long beautiful gray pony tail. This Ranger led our entire group down a group of stairs, then some limestone stairs on the way to... Kevin will never know, because Cami Freaked OUT! Yep. No Cliff Palace for Kevin. The ranger saw those two and said "Ah, oh well, at least you can still turn around, you'd better hydrate her". Who knew tears could be so dehydrating?! Anyway, I forged along the trail with Natalie and we had a grand time, took amazing photos, and put forth a good bit of exertion. I felt kind of bad for Kevin, but then I think of all the times I have sat out of this event (Padre games) or that outing (all Disneyland rides), and I got over it real quick.
On the way out of the National Park we saw a handful of the 500 pueblos from some pretty amazing look outs.
We then headed up to Durango. I had been there once before, and fell in love with the town and still carry great memories of a short trip in my teens. We pulled into the KOA and the girls went swimming. We were wiped out, and settled for a KOA pizza. I was okay with that, but let Kevin know that if we didn't have the girls with us, we'd head to the Downtown district and have some yummy food and I'd make home bar-hop a little -after all, it is Durango!
As fate would have it, the KOA pizza man was out of dough and we had to go down town to eat! Like I won the lottery. We had a great dinner, and walked around with the girls. So fun!
The early bird gets the worm? -Maybe, but the first few visitors to enter the Visitor's Center at Mesa Verde National Park get their choice of what's left the group tours. The tours of various Pueblo sites require a ticket to a reserved tour led by a National Park Ranger. By the time we got to the visitor's center at 8am, we had decided on the least strenuous of all tours -Cliff Palace, the largest and most magnificent mother of all pueblos. 1pm or later tickets were all that was left. Hmmm. Seemed okay to us, after all, it was only expected to be in the mid-80s. Coming from 120F, we shrugged our shoulders and handed Ranger Strange-name-from-Oregon-with-a-beautiful-2-foot-pony-tail our cash. All Set. We loaded the Jeep, and headed off on various trails and overlooks of Mesa Verde National Park. Truth be told, Cami was feeling off. Not that this is uncommon, but it sure doesn't make life easier. Our first overlook led to many complaints. The wind. The steep hill. The cold breeze. Her aching knees... oh yes, this was starting soooo welllll. I got clever and told her that if she stopped talking long enough, she might be able to hear Mother Nature. That WORKED! She did. -Then I heard Mother Nature. I looked 2 feet past my foot to see a grey snake. It was moving slowly and rustled the grass a little bit which caught my attention. Yikes! I am not a snake person, but...it was small and had a narrow head so I figured that it must not be a Rattle Snake. Let's Go Folks!!
Our turn finally came to meet another Park Ranger with a long beautiful gray pony tail. This Ranger led our entire group down a group of stairs, then some limestone stairs on the way to... Kevin will never know, because Cami Freaked OUT! Yep. No Cliff Palace for Kevin. The ranger saw those two and said "Ah, oh well, at least you can still turn around, you'd better hydrate her". Who knew tears could be so dehydrating?! Anyway, I forged along the trail with Natalie and we had a grand time, took amazing photos, and put forth a good bit of exertion. I felt kind of bad for Kevin, but then I think of all the times I have sat out of this event (Padre games) or that outing (all Disneyland rides), and I got over it real quick.
On the way out of the National Park we saw a handful of the 500 pueblos from some pretty amazing look outs.
We then headed up to Durango. I had been there once before, and fell in love with the town and still carry great memories of a short trip in my teens. We pulled into the KOA and the girls went swimming. We were wiped out, and settled for a KOA pizza. I was okay with that, but let Kevin know that if we didn't have the girls with us, we'd head to the Downtown district and have some yummy food and I'd make home bar-hop a little -after all, it is Durango!
As fate would have it, the KOA pizza man was out of dough and we had to go down town to eat! Like I won the lottery. We had a great dinner, and walked around with the girls. So fun!
Four Corners
Day 2: Williams, AZ to Cortez, CO
It felt so good to wake up to cooler weather. It was 80F when we left our campsite...the wrong way down a logging road. No turn around for miles, according to my phone. It only took us 20 minutes to turn around after we unhooked the Jeep. After that we were okay to go, at least we didn't get stuck.
I really forget how beautiful Northern Arizona is. It's been a while since I've driven to 4 Corners. If this wasn't a first time visit to Corners for Kevin and the girls, I'd have suggested we drive Monument Valley instead. It was nostalgic going back. My sister Stephanie and I were a little bit younger than my girls when I visited for the first time. Back then (early 80's), it wasn't nearly as built up as it is now. There are buildings for the vendors now-not tents set up on the gravel. The wares were the same; lots of jewelry, carved stone pieces, sandstone art and t-shirts. We took our photos and got back on the road.
Fortunately, Kevin knows how much their girls love swimming, especially after a long day of driving. He always tries to make sure that our campground has a pool and after a long day of driving, that is the perfect way to end our day.
Memorable Moment: The morbidly obese squirrels at our campground in Williams. Cutest squirrels ever.
It felt so good to wake up to cooler weather. It was 80F when we left our campsite...the wrong way down a logging road. No turn around for miles, according to my phone. It only took us 20 minutes to turn around after we unhooked the Jeep. After that we were okay to go, at least we didn't get stuck.
I really forget how beautiful Northern Arizona is. It's been a while since I've driven to 4 Corners. If this wasn't a first time visit to Corners for Kevin and the girls, I'd have suggested we drive Monument Valley instead. It was nostalgic going back. My sister Stephanie and I were a little bit younger than my girls when I visited for the first time. Back then (early 80's), it wasn't nearly as built up as it is now. There are buildings for the vendors now-not tents set up on the gravel. The wares were the same; lots of jewelry, carved stone pieces, sandstone art and t-shirts. We took our photos and got back on the road.
Fortunately, Kevin knows how much their girls love swimming, especially after a long day of driving. He always tries to make sure that our campground has a pool and after a long day of driving, that is the perfect way to end our day.
Memorable Moment: The morbidly obese squirrels at our campground in Williams. Cutest squirrels ever.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Summer 2017 RoadTrip
Summer 2017
On the Road Again...
The Kenagys are at it again, oh yes we are. This two week journey will cut across the western US, over to Iowa, up to Minnesota, and back home. Although we have traveled this region before, we are blazing some new trails. This time around we will be having some fun in Colorado, day tripping through Kansas and Nebraska, and celebrating Cami's 9th birthday with family in Clarinda, Iowa.
Road trips are fun, but they do take some planning and prep work when you roll like we do. Every year I work off of a Master Winnie Packing List. Every year it grows, which is odd, because we haven't carried baby gear around for years. What would I do without my lists? I even have a list making App.
This year we had a couple of set-backs before the trip. 1) Bennie Marie, our Guinea Pig died 3 days before we left. Kind of a big deal for the girls, he was 6 with a quirky personality and huge cahones. Bennie was Natalie's first 4-H animal, and probably lived 'till the ripe old age of 6 because he was blessed by a Catholic Priest. -Never underestimate the Holy Water. Anyhoo, we had a funeral for him before we left, and sprinkled his little grave with Timothy Hay as we said a quick prayer. Emphasis on Quick, because it was really Hot outside. So hot, that it brings me to setback No. 2): Winnie's refrigerator and freezer stopped working. The heat did them in and we aren't sure if they will recover after we leave the 120F temperatures of our desert travels. In the meantime, we have 2 Yeti coolers packed with EVERYTHING. Not ideal, but hey, if this is roughing it, we are doing okay.
Day 1: Brawley, CA to Williams, AZ
Memorable Moments: Stopped for drinks at Vidal Junction, CA. It was 125F. We witnessed a hit and run by a big rig. The victim chased down the big rig, called authorities, and we drove by just before it came to blows between the two BIG boys. Natalie got Gorilla Glue all over her hands. Cami got Gorilla Glue all over her hands (but managed to fix her headphones really well). I made a quesadilla with bacon in it. Possibly a new favorite for my family.
On the Road Again...
The Kenagys are at it again, oh yes we are. This two week journey will cut across the western US, over to Iowa, up to Minnesota, and back home. Although we have traveled this region before, we are blazing some new trails. This time around we will be having some fun in Colorado, day tripping through Kansas and Nebraska, and celebrating Cami's 9th birthday with family in Clarinda, Iowa.
Road trips are fun, but they do take some planning and prep work when you roll like we do. Every year I work off of a Master Winnie Packing List. Every year it grows, which is odd, because we haven't carried baby gear around for years. What would I do without my lists? I even have a list making App.
This year we had a couple of set-backs before the trip. 1) Bennie Marie, our Guinea Pig died 3 days before we left. Kind of a big deal for the girls, he was 6 with a quirky personality and huge cahones. Bennie was Natalie's first 4-H animal, and probably lived 'till the ripe old age of 6 because he was blessed by a Catholic Priest. -Never underestimate the Holy Water. Anyhoo, we had a funeral for him before we left, and sprinkled his little grave with Timothy Hay as we said a quick prayer. Emphasis on Quick, because it was really Hot outside. So hot, that it brings me to setback No. 2): Winnie's refrigerator and freezer stopped working. The heat did them in and we aren't sure if they will recover after we leave the 120F temperatures of our desert travels. In the meantime, we have 2 Yeti coolers packed with EVERYTHING. Not ideal, but hey, if this is roughing it, we are doing okay.
Day 1: Brawley, CA to Williams, AZ
Memorable Moments: Stopped for drinks at Vidal Junction, CA. It was 125F. We witnessed a hit and run by a big rig. The victim chased down the big rig, called authorities, and we drove by just before it came to blows between the two BIG boys. Natalie got Gorilla Glue all over her hands. Cami got Gorilla Glue all over her hands (but managed to fix her headphones really well). I made a quesadilla with bacon in it. Possibly a new favorite for my family.
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