Nature Talk!

We made it back to the campground in time for a presentation about Rocky Mountain National Park’s animals. We always enjoy the “ranger” talks but it isn’t always easy to catch the times. This presentation was not done by a RMNP Ranger but an organization that works with the Park. We had a fun time learning about how all the animals need each other and depend on each other in the RMNP ecosystem. Joel got to be the beaver, and Callie the bobcat in the foodweb demonstration the instructor did. The kids loved it. And of course, touching the fur of the animals was a highlight!!

We settled down in the camper after the presentation. Mr. Heater has been very helpful, and tonight we pulled out an extra blanket. We definitely are chilly at night in our camper. Thankfully we have layers to help along with the blankets and heater! It is chilly but so refreshing to sleep with cool fresh air! 

Visit to Estes Park!

We didn’t have cell phone coverage so we had to go into town to use our phones and touch base with our friend Adam who was going to come visit up on Thursday. While we were in town we enjoyed a treat at Hailey’s Alice Cream!! It was delicious! Callie thoroughly enjoyed her cotton candy ice cream. She wore quite a bit of it for a few days on her face! 

We also found a penny machine while we were in town! Our collection keeps growing! Souvenir fun! 

Hiking the Alpine!

On Wednesday (20th) we entered Rocky Mountain National Park! Our campground was just a short drive to the Beaver Meadows park entrance. We stopped in at the Visitors Center, got our Junior Ranger Books and headed on our way into the park. We planned to make the climb up Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitors Center (elevation 11796 feet). This road is the highest road of elevation  in the United States. We had a great drive and when we made it up to the Tindra we got out a few times for a little hike to see the beautiful mountains. Each time we got out, we added a layer of clothing. It was colder and colder and colder! Hats and gloves and coats were all on! We saw our first marmot at one spot. At another spot, we watched some elk walking across the mountain side eating. Our favorite trail was Rock Cut, which we made a hike up around 600 feet, and then climbed on rocks with a beautiful view! 

Happy 12th Birthday Cade!

We rolled into Colorado and into our campground in Estes Park mid day on Tuesday, June 19! The campground was a nice distance from town so we were out in the mountains, but still had people close by at the campground. And, we were within walking distance from Rocky Mountain National Park!  Within a few hours of us setting up, we had mule deer in the field next to us, and the playground tetherball became a hot play spot for the kids! This campground was a great spot. It had showers and flushing toilets that were right across the way from us! Plus the facilities were almost brand new. Spot A63 was great!! 

Cade got a new Jonathan Park Adventure and a new story from Heirloom Audio. He also got a two new Under Armor Shirts, a metal dectector, and a new knife! We have some learning to do with the metal dectector. He was most excited about his knife!! 



 

Pulling into our campground! What a view! 









Whittling was a favorite campsite activity! Curtis sharpened Grandpa Sparks’ old knives and brought them along. They were perfect for Joel and Callie!!


Our first night of s’mores around the campfire! 

June 18 - On the Road

We spent our Monday on the road traveling on Interatate 80 through Iowa and to the western edge of Nebraska. Along the way, we stopped and saw a friend in York, NE and also made a stop at a Pony Express Station in Gothenburg, NE. It was a simple and fun stop. Just a little cabin with great artifacts, information, and a penny machine. Plus a park to run off a little energy! We even mailed a post card!

We spent the night in a hotel in North Platte, NE. We celebrated Cade’s Birthday with an Applebee’s dinner! While we waited we visited the Fort Cody souvenir shop and learned a bit about Buffalo Bill Cody. He killed almost 3000 Buffalo in 8 months. Wow! We saw a mini figure reenactment of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. And don’t forget about the penny machine!! We then enjoyed a nice birthday dinner at Applebee’s. Cade got a special birthday song and a free dessert! 

Plus an evening swim at the hotel made for a fun evening together as a family!

The Start!

The adventure of our summer road trip began shortly after church on Father’s Day! We had a nice Father’s Day lunch from Oriental Gardens with Pop, and we were off! We had everything packed into the camper the night before, and just had our truckbed items to pack in. Joel and Daddy were in the truck, and the rest of us following in the van, which we are leaving in Ames. 

We had a mishap of a fallen jack on the camper just 20 miles down the road, but after a quick stop we were back on the road. We arrived in Ames for time with our family for Father’s Day. Everyone, but Sage, was able to gather for a fun dinner and time together! We also celebrated Cade’s 12th birthday! Grandma bought him a special ice cream cake. It was decorated just for him. It was so special! 

Our first sourvenior penny of our trip at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. We pass by here often, but don’t stop at the penny machine. It was a fun addition to our penny collection!

Happy Father’s Day!

We surprised Daddy at church on Sunday morning with a McDonald’s sandwich and a few Father’s Day goodies - Shutran shave cream, a new shirt, and his own water jug (without Cade bite marks!). He had a big morning of teaching at church, so his heart wa la heavy. Hopefully he felt loved and important with our quick office stop by before Sunday School. 

Youth Group Campout!

Cade got to go to his first overnight youth group event the evening of June 15th! A family in our church invited the youth group out for a campout! The kids swam in the pond and then had a nice area to run around in and play in. Cade didn’t go to slee until 2am and then woke out 5am. He was toasted on Saturday, and slept a good 3 hours in the afternoon. He had s great time, but was tired. 

Joel, Callie, and Mommy went out for a few hours to check on the youth girls and be with the group. Joel swam with the kids and had a great time. Callie loved wading and roasting hot dogs with Daddy. 

Summer Tasks!

We challenged the kids with some daily tasks to earn weekend technology time. Some of the tasks include running laps at the track, making basketball shots, vacuuming, reading, playing catch, and cleaning the toilets. They have been conscientious at completing their tasks with simple reminders! Here we running st the track this week!

VBS Time Lab Day 4

Our dress up night for VBS day 4 was “going back in time”! We dressed up like a time period in the past! The boys displayed the 80s with their layered tanks, sweatbands, wristbands, and walkmans. Cade is displaying Daddy’s orange foam headphones and Mom’s Walkman. Joel’s Walkman even played music. Callie was Laura Ingalls Wilder from the pioneer days. She wore Grandma Sparks bonnet and a special apron from Grandma Glenna.  And Momma dresses as herself when she was in high school. All of her clothes and shoes were ones she wore in the late 90s!!