Howard and I went with Estelle and Kevin to this beautiful spot on earth called Steamboat Springs in Colorado. It was a very spontaneous decision to go while McKenzie was at EFY. We had so much fun! Estelle and Kevin made the reservations in a condo along the Yampa River. It was a six hour drive of pure pleasure seeing everything from a zebra in Park City to a buffalo, antelope, deer, elk and muskrats and of course prairie dogs. We hope now that Howard's retired we will be able to do alot more traveling.
This is the Vernal Temple. It was originally the tabernacle. Simple beauty is what I call it.
If you go to Vernal of course you need to see the dinosaur museum . I have great ideas for teaching dinosaurs to my little second graders this next year. Question raised on our trip what is the purpose of the dinosaur? And how many years before man did he live? How long were those seven days to create the earth? Weird huh?
Our condo was beautiful overlooking the Yampa River and hillside. In the morning a mist of clouds covered the mountains and valleys and when the sun came up you would watch it receed. On our first morning there was a hot air balloon out in the field beginning to rise. It was cool to watch.
Very close to our condo and along the Yampa River was a botanical garden. We loved it. But you're right there wasn't a plant in it that Howard didn't already have!
About 15 min. away from the condo was a trailhead for the
Fish Creek Falls. We loved the 1/4 mile walk to the falls. It
was so relaxing and beautiful.
I think I enjoyed Steamboat as much as Park City. Of course the Downtown was new and exciting to see! This is Mark Twain with Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher, so I sat down to read with them.
Steamboat Springs is named because of the Hotsprings in this area. We drove for 30 min. to a place where the springs were boiling out of the ground at a temperature of 150 degrees. There were 3 pools with people in them. Thank goodness no one was skinny dipping at the time we went. But they are very theraputic! One spring was hot at about 120 degrees, another about 112 degrees and one possibly about 75 degrees because it joined the Yampa river.
Well a trip isn't a trip without looking for souveniers and we only have one left at home to look for so we wondered what McKenzie would love and of course we thought of something with a moose on it. We saw lots of wildlife including a zebra! But we never saw a moose so we brought one home for her. Perfect don't you think for our little runner!
Shalyce and Jordan decided to cool off too!
McKenzie wasn't so sure this was her kind of fun!
Jordan tries to out do everyone by riding head first into the rapids!
Shalyce could have read a book as smooth as she went.
Howard got pretty engulfed by this one!
But he came out loving it!
McKenzie is always ready to try something new! 
If you go to Vernal of course you need to see the dinosaur museum . I have great ideas for teaching dinosaurs to my little second graders this next year. Question raised on our trip what is the purpose of the dinosaur? And how many years before man did he live? How long were those seven days to create the earth? Weird huh?
Very close to our condo and along the Yampa River was a botanical garden. We loved it. But you're right there wasn't a plant in it that Howard didn't already have!
About 15 min. away from the condo was a trailhead for the
Steamboat Springs is named because of the Hotsprings in this area. We drove for 30 min. to a place where the springs were boiling out of the ground at a temperature of 150 degrees. There were 3 pools with people in them. Thank goodness no one was skinny dipping at the time we went. But they are very theraputic! One spring was hot at about 120 degrees, another about 112 degrees and one possibly about 75 degrees because it joined the Yampa river.
We visited the upper Provo river falls.
We found snow at Mirror Lake and threw snowballs.
The upper and lower falls were gushing with water this year!
Here's Shalyce with Ashlie and Paige (Camille's kids)
This is Adam with Ethan and Alyssa (Kim's kids)
The pool is definetly the highlight! Each year my little cuties become better swimmers, even Shalyce!
Howard was well remembered on Father's Day!
