Our trip to Cortez actually began weeks ago. As you can imagine there is a lot of planning involved in sending 78 middle schooler's away for a week of mountain biking, hiking and outdoor ed. The teacher's at CHOICE are fantastic and amazingly organized! Our first stop was at the local Safeway to purchase provision's for the week. The kids were divided into "cook groups" where they planned meals for their group and then did the shopping.
Each group was allocated $105.00 to purchase food for the week. Our group did great and only went over $3.00~not bad!
After our two hour ordeal at Safeway we hit the road. I was pulling one of two trailer's with the bikes and decided to follow Kurt, who had 6 boys in his Expedition! YIKES! I was lucky and had 3 fantastic girls in the Silverado as my travel companions. We stopped in Jefferson to hit the restroom, eat lunch and pick up some delicious fudge. The girls ate quietly in the truck while the boys were busy throwing spears, climbing on the bridge and falling in the creek! Here Wilson gets his first soaker of the trip. I immediately knew I lucked out having the girls along for the ride!
As we approached Wolf Creek Pass we learned there was blasting taking place. This allowed us a 40 minute unplanned stop in which the kids got out of the vehicles and took the opportunity to do some exploring. They excitedly headed straight up the mountain side and expelled some energy.
We made it over the pass and arrived in Mesa Verde about an hour later than everyone else. But look who came to greet me after I set up my tent!
These amazingly brave flowers were all blooming at 9000' near Bennet Creek this weekend.
The Maiden Voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions are associated with it. Today we launch on our Maiden Voyage of the camper!
After our two hour ordeal at Safeway we hit the road. I was pulling one of two trailer's with the bikes and decided to follow Kurt, who had 6 boys in his Expedition! YIKES! I was lucky and had 3 fantastic girls in the Silverado as my travel companions. We stopped in Jefferson to hit the restroom, eat lunch and pick up some delicious fudge. The girls ate quietly in the truck while the boys were busy throwing spears, climbing on the bridge and falling in the creek! Here Wilson gets his first soaker of the trip. I immediately knew I lucked out having the girls along for the ride!
We made it over the pass and arrived in Mesa Verde about an hour later than everyone else. But look who came to greet me after I set up my tent!
It's been awhile since these feet have felt the sand beneath them...
Our camp in Mesa Verde
The desert flowers were blooming.
