Homeward

After the kids finished their strenuous hike up the sand dune (total of 1,400 feet elevation change in one hour) we drove through the southern stretch of the Rocky Mountains to Colorado Springs.  We stayed at the Academy Inn and Ellis felt like it was one of the fancies hotels he had ever stayed.

Monday, August 4 we drove from Colorado Springs to east of St. Louis, Missouri.  We spent the night in Collinsville, Illinois.  We ate at Lutz's BBQ in Colombia, Missouri which was a highlight of the day.  The other highlight was when Andrew found the 50th state licence plate.  West Virginia had alluded us for the entire trip until we checked in to the hotel and began unloading the car at 10:45 in the evening. We found all 50 states, 7 Canadian providence, and 1 Mexican state car licence plate.

We met my sister, nieces, and Janie our dog in Coldwater, Michigan to pick up Janie from her adventures with the Hills.  We appreciate their willingness to let Janie stay with them.

Upon arrival at home our odometer read 4,943 miles.
It was a great trip.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sunday, August 3 Great Sand Dunes National Park.

 North America's tallest stand dunes nestled up against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

 Andrew and Ellis reached the summit in about 40 minutes.  699 feet of elevation increase.

 They got really small really fast.  It was hard to follow them.

 Storm clouds moved in quickly.

Upon completion of the hike.
Andrew found this park and the kids really wanted to stop.  It is a couple hours away from Mesa Verde in Colorado.

Mesa Verde

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3  Mesa Verde

 Cliff Place Tour

 Kiva gathering place.  Would have a roof.

 Not an authentic ladder as an authentic ladder was one pole with notches.

 Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling.  Best preserved dwelling.  Third largest at Mesa Verde.  Built between A.D. 1211 - A.D. 1278.

 Notice the white hand print.

 Petroglyph Point Trail.  2.4 mile loop

 Adapting tree.

 Petroglyphs

Friday -We drove from from Glendale, Utah through Arizona, the Navajo Nation, part of New Mexico to the Southwest corner of Colorado to visit Mesa Verde.  Our tour was great of the Cliff Palace.  Amazing structures built so long ago.  We loved the Far View Lodge where we stayed and at wonderful meal at the Far View Terrace.

Saturday - We walked through Spruce Tree House and then on to Petroglyph Point hike which was a fun little up and down hike with many stone steps.  

Zion 3

Friday, August 1 -Zion - Angels' Landing

Angles' Landing is a strenuous 5.4 mile hike with an elevation change of 1,488 feet.  Every Friday should include a hike like this.  This is as far as I chose to hike.  The guys continued on to the scary part.

My pleasant view while I waited.

Guys waiting to come back down.  Chains are used as the trail is narrow, steep, and a 1,400 foot drop off.

I felt better at this point.

The Walter Wiggles portion of the trail.  Got to love switch backs.

A beautiful scene in every direction.

Notice the bus on the road below for perspective.

The kids in the middle of this trail.

The lower portion of the trail.

Plants are amazing.

Playing chess in the Zion Lodge.

A yummy lunch with an amazing view.

Andrew got us up at 4:30 a.m. so we could take the first shuttle in to the famous Angles' Landing trail, a place that is thought to be where angels would gather.  This is a very popular and busy hike, but best to do when the trail is less busy as it is very narrow at the top.  Every Friday should include a strenuous hike like this to challenge your mind and body and to see the incredible sights in Zion.

Zion 2

Zion - Thursday, July 31

 Canyon Overlook Trail - East side of Zion

 Another beautiful blue sky white puffy cloud day.

 Road after the tunnel.

 Fam. selfie

 Every angle is another beautiful view.

Trail enhancement.
We were frustrated about the number of people at Zion and the lack of parking, but loved this hike just before the 1.1 mile tunnel.