Captains Log: 12302012…

No rest for the weary! Sike, we’re not weary. Off to Copper Mountain , which is near Breckenridge, for some tubing! The 2 hour ride proved long and now to entertaining. What was I thinking putting a 13 and 5 year old next to each other! Oi. But the attitudes went by the wayside as we signed our lives away, grabbed our tubes and headed for the “slopes”. The first run, was a... family run. Arranged in a circle-they sent us down the path, holding on to each other. Megan did not like that. Luckily there was a kiddie park, complete with a mini slope, mini tubes and “hook your tube up and it will pull you” machine. Sweet.
As for the rest of us, we spun, we raced, we jumped. And all that was just getting on the conveyer belt! Not really, but we rode up to the top and did it again…and again….and again. Until they wouldn’t let us go anymore. The guy who was throwing us down said we were awesome. I said “I know”. We were delighted (insert sarcasm font) to be entertained by some woman, who I am sure is an actress-and it is KILLING me who she is. In her designer snowsuit, helmet, and goggles-she spent the whole time bossing the workers and her companions around. It was, well, kinda like being on vacation with me! Oh touche’ (to myself).
The ride home was much smoother, as everyone got in a cat nap. The Captain said his only last a minute and a half. Back home to grill burgers, which seems odd grilling in the snow-but it was fun. Looks like we will have a day of rest tomorrow. - The Navigator

Today’s Mileage logged: 274

Captains Log: 12292012…

 

With no sicklings we were off on our latest adventure. A drive up to Pikes Peak, Deemed “unclimbable” by it’s namesake, Zebulon M. Pike, today it is the most visited mountain in North America. The 19 mile drive up the Pikes Peak Highway is filled with switchbacks , but The Captain made a new friend, Gears 1 and 2, and he was able to successfully lead us up and down the highway and we took in some really spectacular views.

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The summit lies at 14,110 feet. Above where the trees can grow, and roughly the same elevation that these young adventures once jumped out of a (not so perfectly good) airplane. Almost immediately the lack of oxygen got to us all, inducing headaches and dizziness. Not to mention the bitter cold and windy conditions. But that doesn’t stop us. We take it all in from every angle, dare not forgetting to photograph our feet handing off the edge.
Wrapped the evening up with a lovely dinner at with my long lost cousin, complete with kid meltdowns and checkers. Time to call it a day! – The Navigator

 Today’s Mileage logged: 143

 

Captains Log: 12282012…
Good News, Jim is feeling better. Bad news, None! Everyone is well.

A much needed sleeping in and lingering morning was a just start to the day! As afternoon approached we ventured out into Colorado Springs with our trusty tour guide, Uncle Joe, to show us the land. First up, The Garden of the Gods, an area of beautiful red sandstone rock formations, including one that looked like camels kissing.

Then off to a waterfall in Cheyenne Canyon. However, slick roadways proved too much for our front wheel drive Sienna. As any man would do, The Captain backs up and tries again….then again…then again…maybe more to the left….OK, maybe we should turn around. So now, let’s reverse down the mountain and over a bridge, because that’s totally safe, The Navigator & kids bail to play in the snow, figuring if the cars going off the cliff-it’s only taking one of us with it. As you can expect, The Captain steered ole Sienna in safely, and we were back on to find another trail to hike. 

 We found that trail at Mount Cutler. A one mile hike to the summit and a 400 ft vertical incline, proved little challenge for this crew. Fortunately our guide is skilled in the way of shoulder rides, as the wee one required some confinement on the narrow pathways. We reached the summit, took in the view and headed back. Then we headed up to Denver for dinner at Casa Bonita. A Mexican Chuck E Cheese on steroids, this place is awesome covered in queso. Come early if you want to get one of the 1000+tables that are tucked away anywhere they can fit one. When you arrive, you feel like you are in line for Pirates of the Caribbean. Food is costly and everyone MUST order a meal (according to the menu) but the margaritas are delicious and atmosphere is priceless. A live dive show, arcade, light sticks and mariachi band to name a few of entertainment options. All and all it was another successful day on this awesome journey. Tomorrow Pikes Peak is on the menu. –The Navigator

 Today’s Mileage logged: A mere 172

Captains Log: 12272012…

 

Good News, Sami is feeling better. Bad news, Jim is not.

Today started with a beautiful covering of snow. Which quickly lead us to praying that Mount Rushmore would not be closed. (Oh how that would have sucked!)

As we approached the Black Hills, named due to their “black” appearance because they are covered in pine trees, we saw cabins along the road, which sounds like a future vacation! The park was amazing. There were beautiful rock tunnels. As we turned the bend, we could see the carving. Teresa was in awe. We got to the park and it was a brilliant memorial. The snow was falling, it was very magical and every bit what we had imagined. We learned that 90% of the monument was carved with dynamite. Fascinating. As we prepared to leave, I asked Teresa if she saw everything she wanted to see to which she said, “Pictures, check. Souvenirs, check. Memories, check” Melts my heart!

As we left the park, we saw wild turkeys along the roadside. We started out on a 7 hour drive through the remaining of South Dakota and Wyoming. The landscape in Wyoming was breathtaking. We finally saw a herd of Buffalo, as well as cattle walking in a preschool line. Even in the snow, we saw tumbleweeds. Cheyenne was smaller than we anticipated. Snow and traffic in Denver was a bit stressful, but we arrived safely, albeit late to Colorado Springs. Now we will stay put for a few days. (But you can bet it will be adventuresome!) –The Navigator

 Today’s miles logged: 457

Captains Log: 12262012…

Good News, Teresa is feeling better. Bad news, Sami is not.

Up bright and early to a whopping 1 degree in Omaha. On the road for the 7 hour drive to Rapid City, SD. Much of the ride north along the Iowa boarder was the same. Changed to wider plains as we headed west on 90. Then we came to the Missouri River and just like that the topography changed to hills. We saw some ice fisherman who had set up camp on the frozen river. Broke the time-space continuum and gained an hour, not as painful as I would have thought.

 Arrived at the Badlands National Park around 2:30 MST. Amazing rock formations, which we were told was caused by the area once being underwater. Sami spotted a pair of rams atop one of the rocks just after we entered the park. A lengthy stop at the visitor center to get the kids passport books stamped and brose the gift shop. Then we embarked on the 35 mile scenic route through the NE portion of the park. It was majestic, very interesting rock formations of line and sandstone, topped with a beautiful dusting of snow. Lots of deer, and although we were told ram were tough to see, we saw plenty grazing and eating. To get a picture of one, The Captain honked the horn – we’re lucky he didn’t charge us. Although I am sure Sienna could take him on. A beautiful Buck and then we travelled off the main road onto a gravel path in search of some buffalo. As darkness set in, we finally decided to turn back when we saw some movement and quickly realized there was a herd in the distance. Not a close up look like we had hoped, but spotted nonetheless. Maybe in tomorrow’s travels we will have a more personal relationship with these beasts. 

 We bid farewell to the Badlands, and finished up our journey in Rapid City, where every hotel has an indoor pool with waterslides. Tomorrow Mount Rushmore and another exciting drive.  -The Navigator 

Today’s miles logged: 541

Captain's Log: 12252012

Day began with the hustle of any other Christmas morning, but quickly turn to travel time as we embarked on our holiday adventure.  4 kids and 4 sets of headphones, made for a remarkably quiet trip. Well, except for the kid who had a stomach bug and threw up every hour or so throughout the Land Of Lincoln. Illinois brought some mysterious red lights,... and prayers for a gas station as we travelled 20 miles past our "0 miles remaining" indicator (we love you Sienna). This however, led us to Knoxville, IL which held one of the friendliest gas stations I have ever stepped foot in, amid a quaint little town filled with Christmas spirit.
Iowa was dinner with a dear old friend, a crap load of tractor trailers jack knifed and disabled along the snowy banks and a check mark on the "states we've never been to" list. We are held for the night in a "Green" hotel in Omaha,NE (another checkmark!) free of course - because that's how we roll. Until tomorrow world...
-The Navigator

Total Miles Logged: 780