Woodland Park

Papa, Nana, and Matteo took off today to explore Woodland Park (while the rest of the gang went swimming - nice 60-degree day). It's about 45 minutes from home up Highway 24. Nana and Matteo had just fired up the idea of quilting some place mats, so our first stop was a quilting/fabric store, Nuts 'n Bolts. Lunch was the next order of business. We tried to go to Ute Pass Brewery, but alas it was in the process of moving out of its current space (landlord raised the rent). Not sure if/where they're going. The folks there were kind enough to direct us to Ute Inn just up the street where we had a delicious lunch (loved the steak fries!). Interesting history, particularly of the founder Bert Bergstrom. We strolled the town a bit with one stop for dessert at the Donut Mill (huge donuts, largest cinnamon rolls I've ever seen). Our last stop was actually our destination, the Dinosaur Resource Center. Small, but very interesting and well done. Matteo was fully engaged, and it was run by a group of young folks that were very "into it." We also discovered a very nice city park just off the main drag, Memorial Park. The whole fam could spend a few hours there. More photos here.

Matteo chose his fabrics at Nuts 'n Bolts.

That's Bert Bergstrom in the framed picture behind the tree at Ute Inn.

Ute Inn and Bar/Restaurant

Lynn got another chance to check out a mini vehicle.

The main drag.

Pikes Peak on the left.

Two "ice towers" at the My Nutra building,
"the creators of hemp paste."

Memorial Park

Ute Pass Brewery

Dinosaur Resource Center