Day 14 July 29, 2011

Today we drove into Silverton, Colorado. The Silverton is my favorite mountain town area in Co.
12 miles from Silver ton is Animas Forks at one points the town contained 30 cabins, a hotel, a general store, a saloon, and a post office. By 1883 450 people lived in Animas Forks. Today it is a "ghost town"
We drive to Animas Forks every time we are in the area. We have been driving this road for years. The last time we drove up there they had added this sign. We have always driven our vans up the road and we did again this year ;)



This house was built in 1906-1907 and was the home of Charles and Alma Ingo Gustavrson, They had 4 children: Helen, who was born in Sliverton, Carl, who was born in a tent near this house in October 1906. He was 4 lbs but survived his first winter, Oscar(1909) and Irene(1912) both born in Silverton. The family lived in this home year round including the long hard winters. Alma would open the window and scoop snow into a pan to melt for the family's water




The view from the Gustavrson house.



inside one of the other houses.



Our Family


Wildflowers









The Animas Forks mine



Wouldn't you just love to have these windows with the view of the mountains


Mom and Dad


A fellow Tebow fan at Animas Forks



The Red mountains are a part of the San Juan Mountain Range. The mountains get their name from the reddish iron ore rocks that cover the surface.







Rain, Rain wonderful Rain!


We camped at Angel Peak State Park in New Mexico. These Rocks were our view from our camping site. We were super far out in the middle of nowhere.

Day 13 July 28, 2011

Matthew found wild strawberries at our campsite. It was cold enough the to wear pants the next morning. We went to the gift store at the top of Monarch Pass.



We stopped at a little museum and learned about a very interested piece of Rail Road history. The Galloping Goose was the name of seven rail road cars that were built in the 1930's. It was not cost effective to continue have full size trains running of the tracks and so the decided to run these small "cars" to the deliver the mail and light loads while the steam trains would run to carry the heavier loads when needed. If you are interested in more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galloping_Goose







This next picture is of a train car that was the home of a man that worked on the rail road and his family.






It is cold outside.



Next we went to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It is like a mini Grand Canyon.



The drop off right next to the path(there was a railing)



I think this is my favorite picture of Daniel.



The whole gang of kids :)

Day 12 July 27, 2011

The first thing we did today was walk around Central City, Co. It is so sad to see how a once beautiful town was turned in to one big casino town. We ate our lunch on the side of the road next to a Colorado Creek(if it was in Texas it would be called a raging river)





Next we went to Georgetown, Co and walked around what a difference. It was beautiful. We walked thru the little shop lining the road tucked up in the mountains. It was very peaceful.






After walking around the town we drove around and look at all the interesting houses around the town. This house we found is actually built over the river!








When we left Georgetown it started to rain :)
I liked it so much I took a picture of our windshield



Then we drove thru the Eisenhower Tunnel





We camped at Monarch Pass the highest pass in the Rocky Mountains(elevation 11,312 feet). It is also the Continental Divide.

Day 11 Tuesday July 26, 2011

Today we went to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. Home of Timmy Tebow and the Denver Broncos. This was the highlight of my trip. Elizabeth, Matthew and I took an 1 hour and 45 minute tour of the stadium and boy was it great!




Dressing up


At Invesco Field



Daniel and Matthew goofing off.






Us down on the field


If you sit is these seats you are required to wear orange or white so the bronco still shows.


This is the stall where the broncos Mascot "Thunder" stays during the games when he is not on the field.


The Tour guide pointed out "The officials are so blind that they have to have Braille to make sure they are going in the right locker room"(see right hand corner of sign)



This is the flooring in the visitors locker room. It is made to where it can make you disoriented when you stare at it.



When the Visiting team leaves their locker room the first thing they are reminded of is how fare above sea level they are.


The Bronco in the middle of the fire place flames orange when the fire is lit.


The Field


Katherine in seats that are more expensive than you can imagine. $18,000 per seat per season(but you have to buy at least 2 seats) but don't worry the food is included!





A picture of the broncos locker room


One of the media rooms


Over looking the field


below is the entrance to the stadium


The view from the 3rd floor of the stadium

inside the Elite Club. During games you sill find former player here along with past and present governor, actors etc.



As soon as we left the stadium we hightailed it to Boulder home of the "Celestial Seasonings" We took a tour of the factory and afterwards they let us drink as many samples of tea as we wanted.

Here is me taking a nap with the Sleepy-time bear.


When we were driving thru Boulder we found Waldo! Do you see him?


After a VERY busy day we were greeted with a rainbow on our way to our campsite.