Colorado Vacation (chapter 1)

After the disappointment of table-less, shade-less roadside parking areas (aka “Rest Stops”) coming out of Amarillo, we ventured into the small town of Vega. Visible from the interstate, we almost pulled into the 1st Baptist Church parking lot to sit under a shade tree and fix our picnic, but at Mom’s urging we drove just a few blocks farther into “town” – hoping to find a small park or something similar. Dad rolled his eyes, so we were turning around at the next intersection when we suddenly came upon a cute little (very little) historic-type building with a couple of picnic tables. Then just beyond that a very nice shaded gazebo in front of a larger old building (with a fall-out shelter sign on the front door . . .) Perfect – well except for the odd sign. As we got out of the van, the kids immediately spotted a sign they would have totally ignored had they not enjoyed the movie “Cars” several times over the past month.

We were picnicking right beside the historical Route 66. The kids thought that was so cool. There were small old buildings like in the movie and the kids were fascinated with the area. It was so similar to the movie with the interstate less than a mile away, yet the road and town were totally bypassed – except for the gas station and Dairy Queen right on the interstate service road, a must for any small town situated right beside a major interstate.

Shortly after our picnic in Vega, we entered the state of New Mexico! The kids were so excited!







G woke up the next morning in Albuquerque with "scary hairy" and K enjoyed making fun of her while Dad tried to take a picture of her.








We left Albuquerque and headed for the Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado. Of course, K was quick to point out that the kids beat Mom and Dad to Colorado since they were at the sign and we weren't there yet . . .





We stayed at the same condos (Cascade Village - between Durango & Silverton) where Mom and Dad stayed on the honeymoon almost 15 years ago - bigger accommodations were needed this time, of course. We had a great 3 bedroom/3 bath 2 story condo with a spectacular view. This doesn't do it justice, but here's a picture of the sun coming up the morning after our arrival. Dad loved the aspen tree right outside our balcony.


Our first full day in Colorado, we headed farther north toward Silverton and Ouray. Here are the kids at Molas Pass with Crystal Lake behind them.



Well, no more pictures to be uploaded to this post. I guess this will be "Chapter 1" of our little vacation story!