Bed and Breakfast

Last week Daniel and I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast at one of my favorite places, Estes Park.  We left Joshua with his Omah and Papa.  This was our first time leaving him overnight.  He did great and had so much fun!  When we went to pick him up I asked him if he wanted to go home.  The first time he shook his head no and the second time he signed more while saying "papa."  Now that is proof of a good time. 

This was our first stay at a Bed and Breakfast and we really enjoyed it.  It was so cozy and our hosts were so personable and welcoming.  I knew I was going to love them when we were greeted with chocolate covered strawberries =)

Hanging out on the porch at our B&B

 

We had such a relaxing time elk watching, hiking, enjoying the scenery and of course talking about Joshua. 



Here are some pictures...

A mama and her baby.

Watching the fish trying to swim upstream.

Came across this on our hike.  Ang and Dan carved into the tree.  What are the odds?

 

We hiked a trail that takes you to an old ghost town.  The homesteads were 7 miles into the mountains making it a 14 miler round trip.  We definitely were not prepared to do the whole 14 miles so we just did half of it which took us to one homestead. It seemed liked we were hiking forever with no mile markers or signs in sight that I was beginning to wonder if we were on the right trail.  We knew we were close when we came across this old car frame.

 

It baffles me how they got a car up this mountain.   

The home we hiked to belonged to a women named Sara Walker.  After outliving her husband and son she moved from town to the mountains where she lived for 15 years.  She survived with her milking cow, chickens, and garden.  When she needed supplies she would gather cream and eggs, hike down to the highway (about 3 miles) and get a ride into town to sell her goods and purchase the things she needed. 

Here is what was left of Sara's home.

 

I don't know if you can see it in the picture but this is the springs from her bed along metal tools, cans, and odds and ends.

 

Her stove.

 

To be standing on the grounds of history thinking about the life she lived and the life we live now was so fascinating. On the way down from our hike I kept thinking how spoiled we are and how hard people worked back then. We definitely want to make the trek to see the rest of the town in the future. Maybe on horses and when I am not pregnant.

 



 

Resting during our 6 mile hike

   

After our hike we grabbed some lunch and then snacks from one of our favorite shops in Estes, Hayley's.  We go to Estes every year and every year we stop at Hayley's from some homemade ice cream and other goodies. 

 

  It is not an Estes Trip unless you stop at Hayley's.

 

Taking a drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

Meanwhile, back at Omah and Papa's house, guess what Joshua was doing???  Eating his FIRST ice cream cone (ice cream made from fruit puree).

 

 

I think he likes it.  

 



 

We had such a relaxing time and so grateful that Joshua has such loving grandparents taking such great care of him while we were gone.  Looking forward to next year's visit!