4/6/2011, Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge

Elspeth was on the mend and so we decided

to see some more sights for the Headridges

last day in Colorado.

First stop, Red Rocks.

 The tame (and mangy looking) Colorado deer.

For lunch, we introduce the Headridges to our favorite

fast food restaurant, Chick-Fil-A.  It was a hit with them too!

We then picked Ethan up early, and went to explore

Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison.

 Peter and the patriotic dinosaur

 Elspeth, Avery, Ethan and Thomas on the ridge

 Just the girls

 Checking out the fossils in the rocks

 Dino tracks in the sand stone

 Another dino track

 The boys

 Beautiful Ellie

After this we went to Mark's work and 

he gave us a tour of his place.  

We had PF Changs for dinner - yummy!

4/5/2011, Rest day

Well, all the activity from yesterday proved to be too
much for little Ellie.  She woke up with a fever and 
sore throat.  Since strep had recently hit their family,
a quick trip to meet our new pediatrician was in order!

Strep test came back negative, but she was certainly 
not her normal energetic self today.

Peter, Thomas, Avery and I visited the Columbine 
Memorial while the girls were at the doctor's office. 

Ethan went back to school today since it was 
the end of his spring break :(

Hoping for a better day tomorrow!

4/4/2011, Idaho Springs and Dillon

Today we went into the mountains exploring.

We stopped at the Historic Argo Mine in Idaho Springs.

 It was a c-c-cold and windy day!

The kids were excited to look for gold.

 They look too happy to be in jail!

GOLD!!!

 Coprolite. Can you guess what this is?

 Fossilized dinosaur poop!!  

The kids thought that was fabulous.

 

We enjoyed a thorough presentation on the history 

of the mine and mill from manager, Bob Maxwell.

He showed us many rock and mineral samples from the area. 

 After a short drive up the mountain, then a short hike,

we began our self-guided tour of the mine.

 They look ready to mine!

 The Headridge family - Peter, Bridget, Thomas and Elspeth

 Exploring the mill

 Finally, it was time to try our luck 
panning for gold. It was so COLD we 
had to do it in short bursts and then 
thawour hands under warm water inside.  

 

 Can you see it?

 Next, we drove up to Dillon for lunch at 
Red Mountain Grill. We discovered this unique 
restaurant a couple years ago and love the 
food and atmosphere here.

 

There is still lots of snow on those peaks!

We then drove back to Littleton and the grownups

went out to dinner at The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant.

 

The gentleman at the table next to us proposed to his

lady guest and she said yes!  It was very sweet to see.

4/3/2011, The Headridges arrive for spring break

We were so excited to see our Portage friends!

It was their first trip to Colorado and seeing the Rocky Mountains.

Of course they were expecting "spring" weather 

and got Colorado spring snow.

The kids had a blast indoors at Fun City!

3/28/2011, Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods

Next stop,

the kissing camels at the top of the hogback

Three Graces

Cathedral Spires

 Pike's Peak - 14,110 feet elevation

our family

the kids with grandma and grandpa

kissing camel's again

Cathedral valley

Siamese Twins rock formation with Pike's Peak in the back

Balanced rock

Add this to our list of favorite places to visit!

We all enjoyed the gorgeous scenery 

hiking through the Garden of the Gods.