Looking for the Donkeys

After we left the Crags, we decided to drive over to Cripple Creek to see if we could find the donkeys.  We had such good success in finding them when we were there with the girls, we thought we'd try again.

Came across this interesting house...

After driving up and down the streets we were about to give up when we spotted two donkeys napping in someone's front yard.  They rather looked like yard art!

Around the corner was the rest of the herd. 

 

I rolled down the window and called them.  To our surprise they trotted right over.  Hm, maybe they remembered  we fed them carrots a few days ago....but we have none with us today.

Really, I don't have any carrots...

Gracie's favorite donkey...

During this entire time our two dogs have been in the back seat barking hysterically at the donkeys.  All their noise didn't faze these critters. Oh yes, they like to ride in Chi's car seat.

Day Tip up the Crags

One of our favorite drives is up the Crags.  This dirt road follows a stream up a mountain.  There are lots of places to pull over and picnic near the stream.

So I packed a picnic lunch and Bill and I and the dogs took off.  Unfortunately what we forgot to pack was sweatshirts as it was quite chilly up there.  Note to self:  keep sweatshirts in car.

These pictures of the stream are deceiving.  In them the stream looks muddy.  However what you are seeing is the rocky bottom as the water is crystal clear.

Gracie and Chi's Visit to Colorado - Drive back to Hays, Kansas

Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast and took the dogs to a local vet to board until Monday.  What with all the potty stops and the time change, we didn't arrive at Mary's until 5:00 p.m.  We all went to IHop for dinner , a quick stop at Wal-Mart to buy the ingredients for monkey bread and then back to Mary's to spend the night.

The next morning Gracie and I made monkey bread.  Mary got out fancy plates and glasses and we all enjoyed it.

We then went to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History there in Hays. 

The new exhibit was SuperCroc, a fascinating look at a huge crocodile that lived with the dinosaurs. 

Look at the size of that crocodile's head!!!  No wonder he was feared by the dinosaurs.

The girls enjoyed spending time in the Discovery Room.

Chi learned the concept of balance and how to balance the scales with wood blocks.

A quick stop at Dairy Queen for milkshakes for all and then we met Billy and Sheri back at Mary's at 3:00 p.m.  There were two excited girls to see their mom and dad.  I'm sure they chattered all the way home!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our week with the girls but must admit to being exhausted! 

Gracie and Chi's Visit to Colorado - Day 5

This is our last day with the girls here in Colorado.  We decided to go to the Donut Mill for donuts before heading down the mountain to Colorado Springs.  

Our first stop in Colorado Springs was the Garden of the Gods.  We stopped at the Balancing Rock for pictures.  Bill and the girls climbed up for some photo ops.

Couldn't resist taking this picture!!!

After driving around the park some more, we then went to the Trading Post so Grace could see if they had penny machines.

While at the Trading Post the girls changed into their swimsuits in preparation of going to Uncle Wilber Fountain in downtown Colorado Springs.

Unfortunately, Chi was intimidated by the spray jets as they shot way over her head.  So she spent the time cuddling with her Grandpa and watching Gracie.

Grace however had a grand time romping through all the water jets and spray.

On the way home we stopped at Rudy's Texas Barbeque to take home some great tasting barbeque.

Got home in time for an early dinner, bucket showers and more time to play.  Girls helped to pack their bags so they would be ready to leave for Kansas in the morning.

Never to old to snuggle with Grandpa.

  
This is one of my favorite pictures of the week:

These are two sisters who are truly best friends.  Hats off to mom and dad for raising two great darling girls.

Gracie and Chi's Visit to Colorado - Day 4

Another beautiful morning so we all decided this would be a good day to spend at the North Pole/Santa's Workshop.  Amazing how fast everyone could eat breakfast this morning!


This was a walk down memory lane for me as my mom and day and I always visited the North Pole each summer when we visited Vermont.  Sadly the reindeer no longer roam the park - they are kept in fenced enclosures.


The first ride the girls wanted to go on was to drive the cars.  Chi decided she would drive me around!

Grace headed off to go down the slide and Grandpa and Chi went to check out the children's rides.

Unfortunately Chi decided there was no way she was going to ride any of the children's rides so Grace and I decided to ride a few that she wanted to go on.

Time for a ride Chi would go on so we headed over to ride the train.  Chi's glasses are quite new.  She is great about wearing them but tends to look over them!

We walked down to where there were more children's rides and Grace convinced her to ride the ladybug cars with her.  After that ride Chi was ready to ride anything!

Grace was a really good sport about riding some of these kiddie rides with Chi.  Then she convinced Chi to go on a fast ride!  Surprisingly, Chi loved it!!!

And then Chi became a little daredevil along with her sister!

Fascinated with the water!

Another ride with Grandma.

We discovered the North Pole - and it was covered with ice!

Getting close to time to leave.  Each got to pick one more ride.  Grace chose the Tilt-a-Whirl and Chi wanted to drive the car again.

Almost five hours later, we took two tired but happy girls back to the motorhome for a must needed nap.

Long naps for all.  Pancakes for dinner and then some slow time playing in the motorhome before bedtime.  Gracie has fallen in love with my iPad and is on it every time we turn around.

Another successful day!  One more day left before we drive back to Hays, Kansas to meet Billy and Sheri and return the girls to them.