Creede 2011

 This has been one of our best trips to Creede in all the 13 years we've been coming here.  There are still new places to see and always too many things to do in the few days we are here.  We have kayaked, hiked, atv'd, learned to play washers, and of course had a Freemon's burger and ice cream!  Here are some pics to highlight a great week!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun group ATV ride to Phoenix Park and East Willow Creek Falls just above town. 

Inside the Mountain Man's Cabin.

Rustic Old Cabin at Phoenix Park the Mountain Man Greg Coln used to live out here.  We were lucky enough to raft Greg once several years ago...something we will always remember! 

Emily and Pepaw looking out the window. 

Hiking to the falls....the wildflowers were just beautiful. 

Emily almost there.....

My parents at the falls. 

At the falls....

We were all hungry after our hike and had a great picnic before finishing our ride.

My mom and Emily...who is taller???

Emily did a great job on the ATV....she's a pro at the rocks and knows how to handle the steep trails. 

Ready to kayak the Rio Grande

Put in spot below the Concrete Bridge at Collar

Emily did a great job documenting our float from at least three spots along the way.

My mom waiting for us at the Green Bridge.

Emily and Pepaw making some bear claw necklaces.

Rocky in the Rocky Mountains.  He loves it here, but how can you not!

Yellowstone & Grand Tetons

We left Phoenix early Saturday morning and headed about halfway to Yellowstone and camped one night in Utah. Sunday morning we were up early and got to Grand Teton National Park about 3:00. We got a nice camp spot in our favorite campground Lizard Creek on the north end of the park. The next morning we were able to move to a spot a little farther in and right on the shore of Jackson Lake.
Monday Fourth of July we spent the whole day in the bottom half of Yellowstone and saw lots of geysers and beautiful scenery. We got back to the campground and got a fire going to make our traditional Fourth of July roasted hot dogs (which were not the same without sharing them with Bill and Jon) just before it started raining like crazy! We were able to eat inside the camper and spent the rest of the night inside.

















Gorgeous view right down from our spot on the shore of Jackson Lake.




















We kayaked on Jenny Lake with a fantastic view of the Teton range.


























Emily's favorite spot in the park, the gorgeous lobby of Jackson Lake Lodge, with free wi-fi.
















Breakfast in the camp spot.




















On Wednesday we did the LONG drive up to the north end of Yellowstone and the original entrance of the park all the way in Montana...this would make 5 states in just 5 days for us....Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
















This was also the day we saw the most animals. There were two or three cow elk and about 5 babies in the field.









I love the big heards of Buffalo especially the babies. We saw lots of them this day driving back down the east side of the park.















Also saw this adorable black bear....she was only adorable because she was pretty far away. :)
















Our last day in the parks we had a great lunch at the Jackson lodge and a little quieter day. Resting up for the 15 hour drive to Creede the next morning. Six nights in the camper "roughing it" was enough for Emily...and she was ready to see her Pepaw!!

















Post some pics from Creede soon we've had a fun few days so far.

Happy Campers

We took our first trip in our new Little Guy camper this weekend. Headed for Oak Creek Canyon, but found all the campground full so headed a little further north to the south of Flagstaff. We had beautiful cool weather and loved being up in the woods. Only bad part was no fires :( camping isn't nearly as much fun with out a fire and s'mores after dinner. Here is our nice spot all pulled in and set up.

On Saturday we took a drive down through Sedona to Cottonwood and up to Jerome. What a neat town, we walked up the steep hill to check out the Jerome Grand Hotel which is said to be haunted and has been on one of our favorite guilty pleasure TV shows Ghost Adventures.

Here is Emily's new car that was parked out front of the hotel...I think the ghosts take this out at night.

Down the hill a little was the beautiful Surgeons House B&B the garden was so amazing this picture doesn't even come close to showing it.

Back to the camp spot for some reading and relaxing.

Packing up to head home after a fun weekend!

Can't wait to head for Wyoming in a couple weeks!

Mother's Day

Being a mom is my favorite thing in the whole world! I love this girl so much and I am so lucky to have her in my life!

We had a fabulous and beautiful afternoon on Saturday at The Phoenician resort. They serve a traditional English high tea every afternoon in their gorgeous lobby. Well if you know us at all you know we are not fancy, traditional or do well in gorgeous settings....see this post...but we put on our fancy clothes and our British accents and headed out!

We had a fantastic three course tea.

The tables were beautifully set with gorgeous china and sliver.

There were about 20 teas to select from then brewed just for you in a gorgeous pot.

Grandma Brown would have loved it all especially the adorable cucumber sandwiches....the first course was delicious sandwiches, Emily loved the smoked salmon and dill, my favorite was the asparagus with parma ham.

The second course was delicious scones with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserves. The were so good!

Emily reading her tea leaves...hope she doesn't see The Grim

OK the desert course was so beautiful! I can't pick a favorite, but the shortbread was fantastic and the chocolate biscuit was amazing!