Saturday, October 21, 2017

Castlewood Canyon State Park

The two older boys and the grands headed out on an adventure to Franktown. Lynn's been dying to go to Franktown (about 30 miles north of us along Highway 83). Just to see what was there. Turns out not much. But we did find a fun biker bar for lunch, the Stagecoach Saloon. And just south of Franktown is Castlewood Canyon State Park. This turned out to be the day's big activity. We were on their trails for about 2.5 hours, which also turned out to be about 2.5 miles (except AJ, we think he covered at least 4 miles in the process). We topped off the day with ice cream at the Rock House in Palmer Lake. And guess what, they've got a train running around the ceiling perimeter, too! All the pics are here.









Friday, October 20, 2017

Overdrive

Overdrive Raceway is just down the hill from us, and the boys have been dying to go since they first spotted the huge black-n-white checked building with go-cart pictures all over. Somehow or another, a spur of the moment thing made tonight the night. A few more pics are here.










Monday, October 16, 2017

Football, etc.

Who'd a thunk we'd turn into a football family?! With Tracy leading the charge. Yesterday (Sunday) we, the whole family, watched not one, but two football games. Sadly, both our favorite teams lost (Chiefs and Broncos), but that didn't diminish the fun too terribly. And who knows how many questions AJ asked about football.

New kitchen table.

Uncle Rob taught Matteo how to read the sports page a week ago or so.
Sunday morning he's hard at it planning the days viewing.

Matteo also got a BBQing lesson from his Dad.

The whole fam damily watching the Broncos game. Lexi was there earlier,
but has since gone to bed.

The Front Range and Pikes Peak looked particularly nice Monday morning.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Long Neck Pumpkin Patch

It was pumpkin patch day. And we discovered that pumpkin patches in our new neck of the woods are a little different. There's an admission fee. And for that there's a world of activities and a pumpkin to take home. It was a blast. I think the corn kernel bins were the biggest hit, although there were close seconds like the tennis ball launchers and wagon ride. There are some sample photos below. All the photos are here. This was the Long Neck Pumpkin Patch. Then fabulous pumpkin pancakes for dinner courtesy of Matt and Fina. There must have been 200+ cars in the lot, at least 500 people there but never felt crowded. We drove by another similar patch that was equally busy.

Rubber Duckie races.


Foam block castle building.

Corn bins (ala a sand box).





Storytime. And who should jump in...

Tennis ball launchers.


Monday, October 9, 2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Slide

Tracy discovered quite the slide just off Voyager Parkway about 5 miles from the house. All the photos.


Saturday, October 7, 2017

Sisco Visit

Vickie and Rob visited for a few days this week and weekend. Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City was our theater of operation.

Thursday:

Holden House. Highly recommended.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway all the way to 14,110 feet. All Thursday photos.

Manitou Springs. Fun downtown, some good eats.

Friday:

Seven Falls, by the Broadmoor. All Friday photos.

Seven Falls.

The Golden Bee, at the Broadmoor. Jamie was here a
couple times back in space authority days.



Saturday:

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. All Saturday photos.
Matteo and AJ had swim team practice at the
U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.