Summer Summary - Episode Two

Ouray, Colorado.  If you have ever been there you know that is enough said.  This place is beyond beautiful.  It is like no country I have ever seen.  We were lucky enough to sneak up to the Clarkson's cabin-under-construction for the 4th of July.  We planned on camping next door to the cabin since they were still working on this masterpiece, but when we got there and saw the bear paw and nose prints on the windows of the cabin, it didn't take much to convince us to stay in one of the empty rooms.  There were windy cliffside roads that would make anyone dizzy with nerves, amazing peaks all around us, streams, old historic mines, and did I mention a lack of oxygen!!  Elevation was around 13,000 feet.  Muchas gracias to the Clarksons for there serious generosity in letting us stay there.  This was a fun adventure for all of us.

Fourth of July Morning Parade

Damon, Colleen, Sage, Emma, Monson, Soren, Thane, and lil Liam!!

 

If you think you have been on serious quad rides before you are wrong.  We took all the kids up this mountain. . .

Yeah and it was hours and some extreme off roading.  But the view was completely breathtaking.  We felt like we were in the clouds.  And I had a hand on each kid because this is no place to trip and fall--believe me!!  Talk about anxiety.

Some more of the view.

Lake near the cabin.

The town is nestled down into a small valley surrounded by these towering peaks.  On the night of the 4th, when it gets dark, everyone decorates their jeeps and rides down the canyon into the town.

Then they shoot the fireworks off right up and over everyone.  I think that Cash's face is the perfect nervous excited face.

It was by far the coolest 4th of July we have ever experienced.  Thank you Clarksons!!!!!

PS-At the risk of appearing narcissistic and just down right embarrasing I am posting this picture.  There came a point on the quad right when I just couldn't take it anymore.  I yelled to Ty "Stop the quad!"  I leapt off and began spinning on the green hills and singing "the hills are alive"!  If I only had the dress--darn.  Does this count as stopping and smelling the roses?  It was invigorating, and I got a standing ovation from my audience (well Ty). You would do it do if you saw mountains like these.