Here are some pics. to tempt you.

Dan’s B-day is really Tuesday- but that is not a fun celebration day of the week.

Thursday was another drive for us, but not to long and we were all fortified with our nice relaxing stop at my sister’s house. We got into Glenwood, and bought groceries, stopped at Wal-Mart for a fishing license and we made it to the campground about  1pm. We were able to fit the RV in with the Tent trailer so that was perfect.

We set up the big tent for Ben and Morgan – they were coming on Friday night after work.

Steve came in on Thursday, but he had to leave Friday because he wasn’t feeling well, but I was glad to get to see him. (side note- Steve was very sick and ended up going to the hospital on Sunday and having surgery Wednesday this week – it seems to have gone well and he should be back to his old self soon)

Friday was a typical camp day a little hiking, a little fishing, napping, playing in the water, and snacking all day. It was Bliss; very relaxing. I now know why people with children relax and let their children run wild when they are at someone else’s house. It is so nice to have all those extra adult eyes helping you to watch your kids. The Pepping Clan was great, and kept Wyatt entertained for hours. Nick’s niece Julianna was especially helpful, and he loved Scott, who got a bit of a work out carrying him on our hike. Abby had to get home Friday night, so she could go to a wedding the next day – so my visit with her was short but nice.

Talking to Mom. Tyler really missed his Mom and Dad.

Ben and Morgan got away later than they planned and were a bit lost to boot, so they made it in the dark of night Friday night. Lucky we had the tent all set up.

Saturday – Ben,Morgan,Mom,Karla, Julianna, Tyler, Wyatt, and I all went to the pool.

Dan stayed back for some much needed rest and to keep Peanut company.

Everyone else went up to the Crystal Mill area to fish and hike. There was a big storm and a mudslide and they ended up getting back late, We huddled in our campers and ate really good spicy spaghetti Karla had made ahead, thank goodness.

Sunday was time to say goodbye. We all packed up in a flurry of activity, and off we went. Dan Drove 15 1/2 hours straight to Reno. It was a long trip, but the boys were as anxious as us to just get home so they were very good.

Monday morning we got up cleaned out the trailer, washed all the kids clothes, and packed them up again. Back in the car!

Wyatt did a some deck repair. He noticed some of the nails were coming up and asked for a hammer. We couldn’t believe it – he did a great job

We made it to Karla’s before 3pm.  (Should have been there by noon.) Karla made white wine coolers and chips and cheese for us. The kids played in the new water feature and had lots o fun.  The kids ended  up going to bed late as usual –us too.

It was so nice to get close to family again. Wyatt really likes Karla, he was just saying, “Where is your sister” We are in the car heading towards Bogan Flats. Three glorious days of not driving.!!!

We are going shopping in Glenwood Springs and I will try to post this there. I am not sure when I will post again since we will be camping. Maybe there is WIFY in Marble – who knows.

Dan is a trooper and decided to stick with the plan to see the Black Canyon. It was beautiful, and we had a picnic there.

Dan purchased a new game for Tyler’s DS so he did not see too much of the Canyon.

It was a long mountain two lane road pretty much all the way into Colorado springs.  I found a place, very touristy, with 400 RV spots, right by Fort Carson. But Dan was turned off by the Giant Bug Sculptures.  He found a place by the Garden of the Gods, but we took a wrong turn and ended up in the loop, with the gas light on and 2 hours late to take Ben to dinner.  [dj: “We” took a wrong turn because Jennifer insisted we go there to look for a campground.]

When we finally got through the loop, we found a place in Manateau Springs for gas and parking. Ben was so sweet took us out for Pizza, which Tyler likes, but Wyatt doesn’t , so we went back to the Camper for hotdogs, and Wyatt and Dan helped Ben figure out the route to get to Bogan Flats on Friday.

Off to Nick and Karla’s today, and Dan has promised us a more leisurely tour of the Garden of the Gods today on our way.

Dan: Then his thumb got caught in the door! Jeez. Dan & Jennifer fully panic and rush to the hospital. That was the second time this trip I planned our early return. Luckily, Wyatt’s thumb was OK.  We’re getting a crash course in parenting.

Dan: Jennifer insists that I not omit the good part of the day – Arches National Park. Note that according to the off duty Hitler Youth at the park, dogs are not allowed at Arches – even on leash. Peanut had to observe from the air conditioned comfort of our UAV.

Dan: Wyatt was a great rock climber. Very impressive to see a 2.x-year-old attempting the climbs he was ready to try:

Tyler and Wyatt made some excellent shadow creatures on the side of the RV after dark.

After all the time we spent at the emergency room we decided to stay in Grand Junction.

Tune in tomorrow to see if we make it to Colorado Springs to see Uncle Ben. Tyler loves to swim and Wyatt has a new suit and we have a hotel room with a swimming pool. This will be our only Hotel of the trip, but we will swim again in Glenwood.

We were on the road by 3pm and in Eureka by 8pm. With a stop at Sand Mountain  to see the Dune Buggies and another in Austin for Gas and Ketchup for our hot dogs for dinner.

So far so good, we slept okay, considering it was our first night and all.

We woke up early had sausage and eggs and we were repacked and off to the next destination….Ely for some supplies we forgot and gas up before the longest lonely stretch Ely to Delta.

More to come later.

Sand Mountain

Lunch break at Delta Library Park..

The new plan is this-

Aug 8 – Water Fall at Mt Rose.

Aug 15 – TRT Meadow to Tunnel Creek Road. We will need to park a car or two at the bottom, by the lake.

Aug 22 – Jones/Whites Creek Loop

Aug 29 – We will take a break for a shorter Hike – Not Sure yet…

Sep. 5 – Opher Creek – This is a really hard hike if you do it all up hill – but great conditioning for Mt. Rose – Plus we will have Monday off to recuperate.