Missouri to Colorado

We had thought that Missouri would be flat. We thought that Kansas would be flat. We were wrong. We were shocked at how hilly Missouri was. It reminded us a lot of New Hampshire with rolling hills and great vistas around most corners. Needless to say, we were very surprised.

After spending an afternoon at the Flint Hills Discovery Center, a natural history museum, we learned that Kansas was at the bottom of an inland sea during the time of the dinosaurs. So the hills and valleys that we see here, are the result of an ocean shaping the landscape...pretty cool.



We also learned that there is a rather large controversy about converting their farm lands into green energy fields instead.  As we drove through Kansas, we passed mile after mile of windmills. We thought they were beautiful. 

Our family feels that the more green energy the better. We are sure that when roads were built and telephone poles went up that there was opposition to them, for they changed the landscape. Change is hard, but it's so very worth it in this regard. 





One morning, Mae, being the beach baby that she is, tossed a few toys and a large stick into the lake. She was very certain that the waves (very small, and only created by a stiff Kansas wind) would bring them right back to her. We timed the animals on their journey across the lake front. It was close to 17 minutes before they drifted close enough to shore for Daddy to fish them out of the water. Lesson learned.

We saw some beautiful sights in Kansas.

We were very surprised by Kansas. We left Kansas and headed to Denver. It was a long travel day for us, 7 hours on the road. It was 10 hours in the car before we were at our new site. The first day in Denver was very low key, we were all pretty tired from the trip. I took Mae down to the lake created by the Cherry Creek Dam.

 

 The park was amazing and was meticulously up kept by the camp hosts. Unfortunately, Mae and I didn't have good luck with a hot shower. We were already cold and tired, and the shower was the tipping point for a tearful Mae. The very sweet camp host working in the office, refunded our money for the shower, and bought Mae an ice cream to apologize for her having a cold shower. The staff and rangers could not have been nicer or more helpful. It was the first time we've camped where it gets below freezing at night, so George had to unhook the water each night. The water connection was a little funky, but Park Ranger Dan was able to help us out!

We woke up to snow!!! Mae was over the moon! She wasn't sad to be in the cold weather today, that's for sure. We bundled up and tromped around outside for about an hour.It was so beautiful to see the leaf covered trees, dusted with snow.

 

Mae and I played pretend that she was a meerkat, and I was a scientist out in the wild. She had a hurt paw (mitten falling off) at one point, and I had to bring her back to my laboratory.



Luckily she was able to find her den and take a rest.

We spent the rest of the day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It was a beautiful space, unfortunately it was crowded like Disney at Christmas! There were 1,400 students there on a field trip, and 2 of the school districts in Denver were on Fall Break. Needless to say it was busy.

We learned more about the wild animals in this area and what to do if we encounter one. Mae was upset about having to throw rocks at a mountain lion if it was attacking us. She resoundly refuses to do so. Much time was spent explaining that it was a last resort and only done in order to save our own human lives. Didn't matter to her. I guess, I'll be doing the rock throwing, God forbid.

 

We also learned a lot about how gems are formed.  It's sad to say that George and I had no idea that lava and minerals are necessary in order for them to form.  These beautiful red gems are from Colorado!

 

 

We needed to change campgrounds, ours was sold out. Yes, a campground in Denver, at the end of October was sold out...even the tent sites. We were very shocked. There are some hard core tent campers up here!

We had to look at the weather forecast and make a decision. We decided to just move to the other side of Denver. It's warmer here than up in the Rockies, just to our west. We were going to stay here for just 2 days, but we were only there for a few hours before George extended our stay to a full week. It's very centrally located, has great wifi, a hot tub, our site is across the street from the playground and hot, clean showers! There is so much to see in the Denver area, we tried to see as much as we could.

We saw our first rock climbers, no harness I'd like to add!

        

Mae and I hiked up a portion of Green Mountain, our first morning, with Izzy. We watched out for rattlesnakes and mountain lions. There was a sign that advised against running on this trail, because the quick motion was likely to attract the mountain lions. I'm glad that we weren't the only ones on the tail that morning. There were many, many other people out running, bike riding and walking. 

Later that day we went with Daddy up Lookout Mountain. We hiked on one of their trails and then enjoyed learning in the warm nature center.

We ended the day with a swim in a beautiful pool, up in the mountains. We got to watch a snow flurry. Mae excitedly told her new friend that there was a blizzard outside the window.

a pool up in the mountains

 

 

watching "the blizzard!"

We had a couple of "home days" while we were in Denver. I had high hopes of getting our home school papers organized, the house cleaned up and baby quilts made for the two newest members of our family. By bedtime on the second "home day" I'd finally dealt with the house and school stuff. At least I washed the fabric. Hopefully while we are in Utah, I can make the quilts for the babes.

 

Mae always enjoys staying home and playing outside. She can happily spend all day on the playground, or making up stories with her dolls and animals. Lately, she's taken to taking videos of them. The quality of the videos is improving.  (Let's hope this video link works, it's about 15 seconds long.)

http://youtu.be/P6LmnyUtPo4

I can't help but think that the directors and producers of today's movies started out as children using the family's movie camera.

 

 

While I was researching Red Rocks Amphitheater I came across the guidelines for working out within the space, I laughed a little to myself reading them.  The joke was on me! We arrived to see the theater filled with people working out, as well as enjoying the park. There were people running up the steps, doing push ups on the risers, and some women doing lunges the whole way down the amphitheater. What a spectacular place to break a sweat!

Mae, of course, wanted to sing and dance on the stage. She was a bit put off by the teenagers that were hanging out there already. Eventually, the desire to perform overcame the desire to avoid the big kids, and she sang and danced to her heart's content.




We all climbed to the top of the theater, and we were awed at every step of the way. The view looking up and looking down changed, each time we stopped to catch our breath. It's much different working out about 1.5 miles above sea level. 




The lack of oxygen did not slow Mae down, not in the slightest. The fear of rattlesnakes was enough to have her sticking close or holding a hand though.

We stopped to have a picnic outside the Red Rocks Museum. We took turns looking at the exhibits inside. One of the things we learned, was that the first performers at Red Rocks, as well as audience members were brought to the sight on the backs of mules. It's the only naturally formed amphitheater  in the world. We'd love to see a concert there some day.

After lunch we hiked one of the trails. It was a beautiful walk on a bright sun shiny day. 




Mae played with her little animals at the top of the mountain, in the shade of the red rocks.


       



George, Izzy and I rested up for the trek back down.




One day we decided to have a low key day, and just bring Mae to a new playground. I'd read in the Denver magazine that there were some cool playgrounds. I pulled up the list of parks, and had George pick one. While he was reading about Utah Park, he saw a building labeled "pool." He told me, and I packed a suit for Mae, just in case. Well, not only was there an indoor pool, but we could use it all day for $3.50! Mae had the place to herself for 2.5 hours. 

       

She used the huge water slide and would walk across the 3 foot deep pool, over to the sprinkler park area. She still had enough energy left over for a quick stop at their beautiful playground when the pool closed. It was a great day, a great facility, and a great price!

 

We lucked out in terms of Halloween festivities as well. The Children's Museum of Denver hosts a Trick or Treat Street the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before Halloween. 

        

Mae was Cinderella, we got some extra miles out of the fancy princess dress we bought her last spring at Disney. She was very excited to wear a costume, from the real Disney World. A pair of sparkly silver shoes, and we were ready to roll.

             


They did a great job of providing treats, crafts and games for the children alongside all the great exhibits within the museum itself.



Making a new friend, was one of her favorite parts of the day. Both girls had already played in all the different rooms with their family members. They had a chance to go back and revisit them all again, this time with a new buddy. The girls had a blast exploring and sharing.  They ended the day with a private ride on the train. That's what happens when you close the place down!

We greatly enjoyed Denver. It was a clean, green, health conscience, sunny city. We were amazed by the amount of sunshine up there. The locals tell us that they don't get much snow there and that it's nice and sunny all winter. Hmm... food for thought.

We are headed to Utah!! We will get to explore our first National Park!