Jazzed about making vids...

I'm still stoked about how easy it is to put videos on blogger.
Here's a better one of Amy, splashing about and having some fun in the tub!

Glenwood Springs: Coming Home

Our trip back from Glenwood was as easy as could be.
We stopped frequently for bathroom breaks and there weren't too many crazies out on the road.

While I was sad to leave on the count of Vince, I've got to say it's good to be home. Now we'll start getting ready for our next trip, Yellowstone Park with Abuelita Zumbado!

Glenwood Springs: Day 4

Day 4 started off like the rest; continental breakfast and a morning dip.

Afterwards, the Fam and I took a nice walk around downtown Glenwood Springs.








It was the perfect day. Not too hot and not too cold.









Best of all, there were plenty of quirky landmarks that added to the local flavor.












Eventually, Vince insisted on showing Mom where he and his Grandpa had seen the train a couple days before.








Amy was really into it!













After lunch and a midday swim, Vince and I geared up and went for a scoot down the Roaring Fork rivertrail.








The day was still beautiful and the trail was long, paved and clean.












Take a look of some videos that I took along the way...


This one's a bit steadier....


Not bad for a guy taking pictures from a moving skateboard!












The scenery was great.









The river was fat from meltwater and roared right next to the trail. It made for quite a sight.








Vince really got a kick out of the weird little features and obstacles that made the trail unique. The underpass was a particular favorite.







Eventually, the trail crossed the Colorado River over this wooden bridge.








In fact, that very bridge spanned near the confluence of both the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers. It's quite a sight watching them come together.







Anyhow, on the North shore of the Colorado was a city park.












It was the perfect place for a snack break!









After the break, we finally started making our way back into town.









As we skated in, Vince was treated to this great view of the hot springs pool.

You know what that meant....






Cool time, pool time!












I know it's sideways, but I really liked the footage and thought y'all would too!


And we can't forget Amy!

Glenwood Springs: Day 3

Day 3.
The Plan: Take it easy on the midday outdoor activity while simultaneously keeping the kids happy.
Impossible? Not really!

First we had breakfast right about the time the pool opened. (~0900)



We took an early morning dip after breakfast to get a swim in and keep the peace with Squirt.












Success! Vince was very receptive to a morning and late-afternoon swim. As far as he's concerned, any pool time is cool time.








He's getting a lot braver, too! He's confident enough to immerse himself and open his eyes underwater. In fact, one of our games was to duck below the surface and play "Oobi."







The water was perfect and best of all, it wasn't too hot!









On the way out, Squirt and I took in some of the quirkier sites around the pool. This is the "Drinking Spring," where people would pour themselves steaming, stinky cups of mineral water to cure their ails. Did I mention that the water is a piping-hot 122 degrees Fahrenheit?





This is the main spring, where the water bubbles up from the ground. The water from this geothermal giant is hot enough to cook a hot dog instantly.







After our morning dip, we said our good-bye's to Great-grandma Porch, who motored on back to Denver. It was really great to see Bea and Anne. I hope to see them soon.










About midday, the Fam and I took a trip to the St. Benedict's Trappist Monastery in Snowmass, CO.
These guys are the real McCoy. Vows of silence. Separated from the real world. Cloistered and closed-off. This is a view of the monastery from the only road that approaches it.





The only time these guys ever see anyone is on Sundays for mass.
This is the bell they ring to call the brothers to services.








Even though the place looks abandoned, everything is so neat and clean that you know there must be people nearby.








Before the main chapel is an antechamber where the monks sell some stuff for dough. Along with the books, there's pottery, woodcraft and bronzework pieces of religious art all made by the monks. Purchases are all made on the honor system.






Check out some of their signs...










Yikes. I guess I shouldn't have taken these pictures. ^_^;;;









Sensing that adventure was afoot, Amy suggested that we check out the private meditation alcove in the visitor chapel.








Eh, not too bad. The place was uber-clean, it smelled nice and there was some pretty music in the background.

But wait...










It turns out that the pretty music in the background was coming from a monk who was practicing on his recorder! Here's a shot of the elusive lad, jamming away on some inspiring Catholic hymns. (Exciting, no?)











Once that was done, we took in the beautiful view of the monastery's lonely little valley.







Pretty, isn't it?










But alas, it was back to civilization for us sinful types and on to another great eatery in Glenwood.













Amy really dug the mashed potatoes!

And while there aren't any pics of it, we all went back to the pool for an evening swim. This time, Amy was all play and cheer!

Day 3 ended successfully!

Glenwood Springs: Day 2

Day 2 of our Glenwood Springs trip hit us all like a ton of bricks.
We spent the majority of our time at the pool. And that meant sunblock, crowds, frequent potty breaks and watery-ears from about 9 am till 2 pm.





Amy did all right with the heat, the sun and the crowds. Sadly, the one thing she liked the least was the water!

I think all that water really scared her. She clung to Mommy pretty tight.




Even the nifty belly-boat we got her didn't assuage her fears. In fact, this took her away from Mommy, which made things worse!







When we finally left our morning pool session, the family and I motored out to Chili's for some grub...(They had a grilled cheese for Squirt.)

Take a look at the scenery!




And this one, directly behind the restaurant.








What can we say about Chili's? We came. We ate. We left.
And after we got back, Vince was riled up for another session of crowds, sun, and mineral water.









When dinner finally came around, Anne (Lisa's aunt) suggested a great Mexican place called "Dos Hombres."
They had some pretty solid Mexican food. Not as good as Alberto's in SLC, but close.





The real highlight for the evening was Amy's incredible affinity for horchata. Man, she couldn't get enough of it! As soon as we gave her a swallow, she'd hoot for more. She also enjoyed rice, teeny-tiny bits of carne asada and guacamole. As for beans...well...let's just say that's still a work in progress.




Once we got home, it was crashtime. Vince had spent so much time in the sun that he was cranky, whiny and we think a little sick. Gladly, I had kept him hydrated for the majority of the day. That meant that his "illness" was limited to just feeling yucky. (Yep, we dodged a bullet.)




Amy barely tossed and turned at all. She hit the sack like she'd worked the graveyard shift and didn't move until o'dark thirty, when she was hungry.











Yeah, Day 2 was a lot of fun. But I think we'll take it easy tomorrow and not stay in the sun as long as we did today. It'll be a lot easier on Lis, Kevin, the kids and my bright-red back...(ouchie).