Memorial Day Weekend is for Family

Wow! Where to start? Sunday afternoon Allie's family came over for dinner and so did Jane's Aunt Sheila and Uncle Rudy. We had BBQ pork loin, twice-baked potatoes and corn-on-the-cob with cake and home-made ice cream for dessert. YUM! After dinner (but before dessert) we all walked down to the park (Jane, Sheila and Rudy drove) to enjoy the beautiful weather that was perfectly not-too-warm in the late afternoon. After about an hour of mostly just visiting and watching the kids, we went home, had dessert and the kids prepped for bed while the rest of us watched movies.

Monday AM we got up, packed lunches, loaded bikes in the car and headed out to nearby (15 minutes) Waterton Canyon where the West Platte River comes out of the mountains. We rode up the fire road about 5 miles, had a nice picnic lunch, rode another two miles and then coasted back the cars. Once again the weather was beautiful and Marie and Tessa were real troopers and went the entire distance. Marie especially is just unstoppable and arrived almost first in the group at the top.

About two miles in we came upon a small herd of mountain goats that apparently live in the canyon and are so used to people they aren't even afraid at all. One just walked right up to people like at the petting zoo or something. In fact, the thing I think they like about people is the salt on your skin. Seth got lick on his leg that was pretty gross.

All in all we had a great time being together, spending time outdoors in the perfect weather, and getting a little exercise.

The Thornbrue girls in their matching Sunday dresses.

Bryson love climbing on the playground equipment

Jane's Uncle Rudy

Jane and Sheila on the glider at the park

Allie and Jame's wanted some newer pictures so we did a little photo shoot.

This looks fun but both Bryson and Grace said "tight!"

teeter-totter, dirty water...

Jarom and Seth being tuff

piling on the glider

Molly and Grace

Reenacting a favorite picture from about seven years ago

Allie is jealous and wants to get in the act

The creek that runs through Marcy park right behind the playground and benches where we were sitting

Climbing the retaining wall. There is no drop at the top on the other side

Ben preferred to scale the wall

Relaxing after dessert

The parking lot at the entrance to the Waterton Canyon bike trail. It is a very popular trail. Here we are loading up.

Tessa is ready to go!

A very friendly moutain goat

Ben and Tyler (a friend). Papa Randy pulled them up on his bike

Grace isn't too sure about the goat, who poses on command (not really)

The goat is going for Seth's leg

The damage...

Ben and Tyler with snacks, water, a cool breeze in the face and no effort on their part

Tessa, James (and Grace), Jane and Allie

Tessa was getting tired and then got frustrated with lack of proper sanitation facilities along the trail.

This is our picnic spot about 5 miles up the road

Playing in a little stream next to our picnic spot

Seth thinking about his future after High School.

Note: I did not have a polarizing filter on the camera nor was it adjusted using Photoshop. The sky really was this blue. Ahhh Spring in Colorado!

What a beautiful ride just minutes from our house. And yes, these are gold-medal trout fly fishing waters. At this section there is a two-fish limit and you must use artificial lures only. About another 5 miles is a big reservour with camping, but this road (hiking or bike) is the only access. No non-government vehicles allowed.