One of Germany's Top Tourist Attractions

Well sadly we are nearing the end of our trip around Southern Germany, but still have a couple of great tours left which happens to be one of Germany's top tourist attractions, the Neuschwanstein Castle.

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The Salzburg Experience

Day two we get away from the outdoors and national parks to visit the historic city of Salzburg Austria the birthplace of Mozart, as the one with the music room at home I was excited to visit the birthplace and residence of one of my favorite composers, but what else was there to discover?

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The Southern Germany Outdoor Excursion Experience

We had the fortunate opportunity to travel to Southern Germany over fall break.  We hit the ground running when we got back and I'm just getting around to sharing it, but I have to admit is was super fun to do a little reminiscing choosing the photos that I wanted to show you.  The Germany Alps were more beautiful than I imagined.

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Is This Really Au Revoir?

I can't believe we are already at the end of our journey through the sites of Paris, the last two days were spent seeing some more of the biggest sites in Paris, as well as a different off the beaten path stop.

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Trip of a Lifetime,Paris France Part 2

It's time for part 2!  To be totally honest I could probably do a post for each of the last four days we were in Paris to show you everything, however I've condensed it a little to give you the best of our museum and attraction visits.

It's Eiffel Tower summit day!!

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Trip of My Lifetime, Paris France Part 1

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to see and eat my way through Paris, France.  Well I finally got my chance over spring break.  We just got back from a wonderful journey through Paris, complete with a river cruise, summit to the Eiffel tower, and of coarse a trip through the Louvre.  In a few words the trip of my lifetime so far.  Come and see the sights we saw as well as a few tips that made this trip great.

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Have Map, Will Mark Where Traveled

On our Facebook Page earlier this week we shared an HGTV video about creating a travel map, well that got us inspired to finally put together our own travel map in the library, and we love it.

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Discover Your Home Goes to Discover the Outdoors

With just weeks before we start the back to school routine, we realized we hadn't even gone camping yet.  We managed to jet around the globe this summer, but had yet to discover our own backyard.  Our family is fond of finding a place in a wilderness area, pulling off the road, and setting up camp.  Found the perfect new place to set up our camp right near the summit of Vail Pass.  

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Back from Vacation and Ready to Salvage and Create

What a month of June!  We left at the beginning of the month for Mexico, we were back for about a week, and then left for Florida.  We spent a few days enjoying the beach and more sunshine in Florida before heading back to Colorado on the road trip of a lifetime.  Thought I'd share some of our trip, and some of the goodies we picked up along the way.

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Quandary has been Conquered

Okay so that may be a little dramatic, however for a class 1 hike, this one was hard.  We started below timberline, and it felt like it went straight up from there!  The view is breathtaking, always worth the effort.

We had to start a little earlier this trip.  The weather was definitely not on our side.  There have been several lightening strikes that have hit hikers this year, and we didn't want to take any chances.  After a morning full of delays, we did manage to hit the trail head at around 7 am.  Not as early as we wanted, but close!

After venturing above tree line, we encountered several mountain goats on this trip.

This big guy was walking right down the trail. We stepped just off the trail to let him pass, however he moved off the trail right along with us.
This was a no zoom photo.
We are aware that mountain goats can be dangerous, and we in no way followed or harassed this beautiful creature.
Just fortunate enough to be able to see him.

What a view...

It's official, we made it to 14,264'.  We managed to hit the summit at about 10 am.  Not bad timing, but as you can see the clouds are moving in.  Can't stay too long up here.

Konnor's second 14er!  This time like last he practically ran up the mountain.  He left his mom and dad in the dust.  He made the summit before both of us.

Geo marker, love finding these.
Thinking we might try one more this year.  Grays and Torreys were coming for you, maybe even this season!

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What a Horse Ride

What a 4th of July.  It was one for the record books for sure.  The Flying X Ranch doesn't disappoint if I do say so myself.  For the last several years, the Flying X Ranch and Wheatland, WY have been our 4th of July tradition.  This year we brought some friends with us, and the horseback ride we took was beautiful with all the rain and cooler temperatures, it was one to remember.

Green meadows and cloudy skies with no rain, what a day.

 Getting out of the barn, all saddled up

Everyone needs a quick drink!

Good day for a ride with friends and family. Just a minute to take in some of the wildlife, scenery, and fun from our 4th of July trip.

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Mt. Bierstadt Done!

We did it!  My husband and I finished our 6th 14er, and my son just completed his first, and I think we have him hooked.  Just so we all know, my reference to the term 14er refers to the 53 peaks in Colorado that are 14,000 feet above sea level.  My husband and I have a goal to complete them all in our lifetime.  Right now while the kids are smaller, we have done the easy ones, and the ones closer to Denver to start out with.

The views at the top were breathtaking.  Just can't describe how much all the effort is worth every minute of this view.

It's a three and a half mile hike from the trail head to the summit, and we got started at 7:30 in the morning.  Best to start early, sometimes the weather will move-in in the afternoon, and don't want to get stuck up there when that happens!

Here we are at the start of our day

The first part of the hike is through the willows. It's a swampy area, so we were prepared to walk through some mud and tall brush, then we also had a river crossing  to contend with as well.  We walked up the trail a ways to find an area that was easier to navigate across the river.

Once you make it out of the willows, you have the snow to contend with.  Kind of cool though to see snow in June!  We had to go through several snow fields with some ice as well.

Konnor was such a trooper.  With this being his first 14er, he was so excited he practically ran up the trail.

Once you get near the top, the landscape changes to more climbing over rocks than hiking.  But you can see the summit.

We made it!! Gratefully still as happy as we were at the bottom when we got started.  It took us 3 hours to get to the top, not too shabby if you ask me.

We always like to take a picture of the geological marker when we get to the top.









Our goal is to do at least two this year. Quandary Peak here we come.

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Happy Father's Day Hike

In the celebration of Father's Day weekend, we decided to take a family hike.

We stayed near Denver, and went into the foothills to hike around Mount Falcon Park.

We took the Parmalee Trail, picked up the Meadow trail, and ended up...

at the Walker home ruins...

which has a pretty cool story of how his family came here, and how this land became the Jefferson county open space.

The weather couldn't have been better for our Father's day outing.

View looking back at the city.

Happy Father's Day!

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Little Road Trip Part 2

It's official we are on to Mt. Rushmore!

When you get there, this is the first view you have.  All the state flags are flying with the year each state was created, and the order each became a state. 

 Walk through all the state flags, and this view opens up...

It's worth stopping and taking a long look!

We then took the Presidential tour to get a closer look.  Finally we visited the Sculptor's Studio, which was information on the architect that developed this National Monument.  After a couple of hours, we were on our way for our one night layover in Rapid City, SD.  With a little pool time at the hotel, we were ready for bed!

Next day on to Devil's Tower in Wyoming, with a brief drive through Sturgis, just because you can! :)

 There is a trail that takes you around the whole monument, and I was surprised how different all the sides of it looked!

Perfect shot with the flag.

Of course you can't go to a national monument without holding it up.

One of the best road trips in recent memory.  Any ideas where our next road trip should be?

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Little Road Trip Part 1

This is the summer of the road trip!  With no major vacations planned this summer, the short trips are what we are doing.  We just finished up a trip to visit Mt. Rushmore, and with a brief layover in Rapid City, SD, we headed up to take a tour of Devil's Tower in Wyoming.  We had a great time, and enjoyed our short two day road trip, with a final stop at our place in Wyoming for the weekend.
We chose to go through Custer State Park, and take the Needles highway, which is a scenic route that boasts beautiful views, great wildlife viewing, and at times a one lane road through the rocks.

One of the many wildlife spottings we had. 

 View of one of the one lane tunnels we went through.

 View of the "needles" in the background,  plus hubby and the kids!

One of the smallest and most narrow tunnels to travel through, our car barely fit.

We also stopped at Sylvan Lake after we passed through the needles cause we needed to get out of the car.

Great view of the lake with the kids and I. 

 Another little wildlife siting.

 After we walked around a small portion of the lake, we took a hop, skip, and jump on these stones to view this...

Hard to argue with the beauty of this break from the car!
Finally we had our fill with our exploration at Sylvan Lake, and on we were to Mt. Rushmore.
With part 2 on the way, where are places you like to take a quick road trip to?

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