Vacation: Day 5

Today is the day to climb up the Trail Ridge Road.  This is the long and windy road that goes up, up, up to the Alpine Visitors Center which is at around 12,000 feet. 

A pull over area on Trail Ridge Road.  Getting pretty high up, I wasn't too excited about looking over that railing.

 There was plenty of snow up here!

 Normally, there is a path you can take to go up even higher.  The sign said closed but workers in the store told us we could still go up, so we did....we got about 1/3rd of the way up that's when park rangers (who were already at the top) yelled at us to go back down as the trail was closed.  Oops!

Family picture at Alpine.  As you can see there was lots of snow and the temperature did drop a bit.

While we were at Alpine we discovered just how severe Mike's fear of heights is.  He was not comfortable AT ALL with the ride up the mountain, especially once we were above tree line.  He was a trooper though, not wanting to spoil everyone else's fun. 

On the way back down Trail Ridge Road a herd of elk decided to cross.  Traffic was stopped both ways to let them pass.

By now we were hungry, so we drove around trying to find a nice spot for our picnic.  Sprague Lake and Bear Lake were both full so instead, we found a nice little cleared off spot by a creek complete with a picnic table.  We enjoyed our picnic of sandwiches, chips, fruit and drinks.

There was also a great rock for pictures.  We took full advantage, snapping lots of group pics.

 Who's that kid in the background?

 Barb and Joy

 Dad and Mom

 Grandma and Papa with the boys

The Sass/Foels clan

After our picnic we went back to the cabin. Some napped while others just hung out.  On our way to the cabin the first day we drove by Fun City.  It had a very large colorful slide that Jackson had been bugging us about since we got here.  After everyone was awake we decided to go downtown to check it out.  It was a good idea.

 Jackson and Barb at the top

 Jackson took off without Barb!

I believe his first words after finishing the slide were "let's do that again"....so he did....about 4 or 5 times.

 Tristan wanted a turn!  Daddy went too.

 He was laughing at first....

But at the bottom he wasn't so sure....

Next was mini golf

It was a lot of fun!  We did get rained on halfway thru.  We had to find some quick shelter for just a few minutes while it poured, once it was done raining we finished our games.

 Messing around on some rides while everyone finished golfing.  Gotta love that Tristan smile!

For supper that night we went to Mary's Lake Inn.  Really good food and atmosphere.  Dad didn't get his shepherd's pie but did enjoy some bison meatloaf instead.  We left before the rest of the bunch so we could get the boys to sleep before everyone got home.  Another great day in the mountains!