Denver Diary Day 11: Rocky Mountain High

Today we ALL needed a change of scenery!  Although being able to stay in the Ron McD House is wonderful, it can be a little cramped sometimes.  We have found that being in the small bedroom can really set Cade off.  So today we decided to pack up and head to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Both boys slept most of the way, so the trip up gave Eric and I a chance to talk...the chances we have had to actually have a conversation have been few and far between since we touched down in Denver.  We found a neat, but very "touristy" town when we entered the National Park vicinity.  And of course, we drive almost 2 hours to see a national landmark and where do we stop to ear??  McDonald's!  The kids were happy, though.  It was an amusing visit...apparently Chinese exchange students had flown in and were working at this McD's for the summer.  The young man that helped me was super nice, but he was really struggling with the register and the menu. He told me that in China the McDonald's was very different -- we briefly swapped stories from my trip to Japan when Eric was deployed there...they have tiny little drink cups and no refills - yep, we are pretty spoiled here!

I chuckled to myself when he told me my total was "One hundred ninety eight -eight" -- $19.88, and gathered up our food to head outside where Eric and the boys had found a nice table on the patio (we always try to eat outside these days...it just makes everything a little easier!).  We had finished up and the boys were enjoying watching the birds that had been jumping all around the patio picking up scraps of food that diners had left behind.  The boys tossed them a little fry...and that's when we met the elderly Ms. Obviously-a-Colorado-Transplant.  As she was walking on the patio -- with her LARGE dog, mind you -- she promptly told us (in her less than Colorado accent...I'll let you decide where you think she was from...) that we were feeding the birds inappropriate food.  As her husband entered she let him know of our wrongdoing.  Eric and I kinda chuckled at each other and tried to ignore her, but she went on and on about how we were not allowed to feed the birds french fries and how it was soooo bad for them. 

OK, so finally we packed our trash up and began to throw it away...and of course as I walked over I had to acknowledge the fact that she was still admonishing our sinful deed.  The conversation went something like, "Wow, we're from SC and people don't really act like this there..." to which she said, "I hope you meet nicer people here, then..." to which I said, "Actually, you're the only person we've met since we've been here who hasn't been nice..." to which she said, "My husband is ok, I'm just a (insert expletive here)..." to which I said, "Well, I hope your husband is able to enjoy his life later, then..."  And I escorted my wrongdoers off of the patio.  Now looking back I should gave said, "Well, I'm thinking that my boys feeding these robins french fries seems a lot less offensive than you bringing that large, slobbery, and shedding dog onto the patio of an eating establishment..." -- but you know what they say about hindsight...(Can I tell you how much I am kicking myself for not taking her picture??  Sorry, I cannot help the little streak that runs through me...but what an awesome pic it would have made for my blog!!)  And herpoor hubby looked mortified...he just sat with his head in his hand.

Anyway...we trekked up the road for a few more miles and found the National Park.  It was SPECTACULAR!!  We found a beautiful waterfall, wildlife, and even some of the cold white stuff!  And other than having a little trouble breathing because of the extreme elevation the fresh air was wonderful!  And Cade was right smack dab in the middle of his element...CLIMBING!!!  He and Eric climbed all over the waterfall...even to the point where he scared the wits out of Eric and they had to come down.  It's amazing just how much of a strong climber Cade is.  His deficits in proprioception (the sensory system that controls our muscles and joints) actually make climbing a necessity for him.   And climb he did...he was all over that mountain!

Cade ran to the top of a huge boulder to climb...

 

...and he stressed out Daddy a bit in the process!



You can't see it here but that's Eric and Cade climbing that huge rick!




Cade joined right in with the older kids...no surprise there!




He's just taking it all in...



Kai and I decided we would throw rocks in the river while we were waiting for Daddy and Cade to climb the rock.



This is what I had in mind...





...and this is what HE had in mind!!

After our climbing adventure we decided that we would ride on up the mountain and see if we could find any elk.  We didn't find elk, but just the ride up the mountain was unbelievable!  We were about 2 and a half miles above sea level, and I truly thought Eric was going to wet his pants as I drove up the highway to the tippy top of the enormous mountains in the cold rain without so much as a pebble protecting us from falling over the side.  But we were so glad we did it -- it was such a remarkable feeling to see God's splendor at the top.  And now I can say I have officially been in the "Arctic Tundra Ecosystem" in Colorado!

The SPECTACULAR views from the top of the Rockies!

We were literally even with this mountain when we took this picture!



Yes, folks...that's SNOW in the middle of July!!

 

Kai just loved this whole experience -- he kept saying, "Wow, Mommy...big mountains!"

Cade would not get out of the car once we headed up the mountain.  He isn't scared of heights, but we are pretty sure the extreme elevation did a number on his already screwed up sensory system.  His body seemed to go into "hibernation mode" -- he just sat with his blanket over his head and dozed off.  It is strange how God made our bodies to protect themselves...I think he just couldn't stand the feelings of his ears popping and probably felt extremely unsettled way up there. 

Cade was not too impressed with the mountain views...

We headed back after a day of breathing in the wonderful mountain air...both boys got baths and fell asleep pretty quickly.  It was a memorable day...and I am so glad that we were able to experience it.  So you're right, John Denver...it is possible to get a "Rocky Mountain High" in Colorado!

I am so happy that Cade could just be a typical little boy here...

Thanks for the memories!