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!