As promised...
Toben found us a wonderful place to stay in Estes Park. The river was right outside the front door. The girls ran right out and threw rocks, counted how fast pinecones floated from one girl to the other, and didn't fall in! (Audrey has a history of falling in cold rivers!)
We had dinner with friends on Friday night after we got all checked in, and it was cold enough that it felt great to snuggle down under the covers on Friday night after sitting by the fire for a while.
On Saturday morning, we headed down into town for the Elk Festival. The girls got to pet wolves and have their faces painted, which made for happy girls. And that makes for a happy mama!
We grabbed some pizza at our favorite pizza spot in town and then topped it off with caramel apples--something else that makes me happy! Then we piled into the car and drove into Rocky Mountain National Park to see some elk.
We found them--just inside the gate! The fall colors were amazing, the elk were huge and bugling like mad, and we saw all this from the car!
(I counted--that guy had 12 points on his antlers!)
We got out and walked around here and there, and drove over Trail Ridge Road--through the clouds and snow. At the top, we headed toward Grand Lake; our friends headed back to Estes Park.
We saw more elk and more leaves on the way home, and were back home in plenty of time to get to bed and have a normal Sunday at home.
Toben and I both said we don't do stuff like this nearly often enough!
So glad you had a wonderful time!
Posted by: Holly @ Crownlaiddown | October 06, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Looks like you had a great time! We went to Colorado on our honeymoon long ago and loved Etses park :)
Misty
Posted by: Misty | October 06, 2008 at 04:28 PM
NO STINKIN WAY!!!!! These are postcard picture Joanne. I wish I could just hop my kids on over there and let them soak all that in. Precious, precious times for you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Fran
Posted by: Fran | October 06, 2008 at 05:30 PM
OH THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES!!!! Simply stunning. Looks like a wonderful weekend..
Blessings,
stephanie
Posted by: ocean mommy | October 06, 2008 at 06:37 PM
EP is my favorite place on earth! We were there last year the weekend before the Elk Festival and elk were *everywhere*. That's also when I saw my bear! :) Glad you enjoyed it!
Posted by: Meredith | October 06, 2008 at 08:19 PM
What fun! What beautiful pics! Fall looks so good on you!!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | October 06, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Nice hat! Did you make it yourself? I'm sure you did!
Posted by: Puva | October 07, 2008 at 04:51 AM
What an amazing weekend and what great memories!! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 07, 2008 at 08:13 AM
My sister lived near Estes Park for awhile... in the days before digital cameras. I've heard her rave about the beauty there so it was fun to see your pictures. I can see why everyone loves it.
*Sigh!* What a picture perfect weekend in all aspects.
Posted by: Dawn W | October 07, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I love that picture of you! Your girls are so cute. I enjoyed the pictures!! I am with you on the pizza and caramel apples. Yum!
We are headed out to Olive Garden to celebrate (a few days early) my son's 20th birthday. :) Have a wonderful evening.
Blessings,
Patty
Posted by: Patty | October 07, 2008 at 01:28 PM
I love Estes Park. It is really sad that we live in Colorado and hardly ever take advantage of trips to the mountains. I went to Aspen last year to see the leaves turn...breathtaking!! And some people say that they've never seen a miracle or God's work!!
Posted by: Rachel | October 07, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I have such great memories as a child and adult with my wee ones (before we moved here) of EP and the elk. Lurve EP. Just lurve.
Posted by: Gretchen | October 08, 2008 at 12:22 PM