Mile High Hamiltons: Colorado Vacation ~ Monumental Moments

Just checking in? Click HERE To see Colorado Vacation from the beginning.

On Monday we woke up to clouds and rain so we opted to head out to the Colorado National Monument since it wasn't shaping up to be a pool day. We weren't going to let cooler weather scare us away from tourist activities.

To reference our friends at Wikipedia:

Colorado National Monument (locally referred to as The Monument) is a part of the National Park Service near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone and even granite–gneiss–schist rock formations, in some areas. This is an area of desert land high on the Colorado Plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau.

We have heard it referred to as the Grand Canyon or Colorado. Hmm... I guess all 49 states could claim this, except Arizona since they actual do have the grand canyon. We have also seen the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. This makes me wonder what the grand canyon of Kansas would be?

After a slow twisty road to the rim of the Monument (we took it VERY easy with Kellan's tendency toward car sickness) we stopped at Cold Shivers Point. At this point we decided we were going to take a picture in front of the sign at each stop and we were going to rotate as to who the model would be. Since Oliver leans to the cold side, he was the first up and we asked for a "shivering" pose.

We also lucked out with some sunshine by this point. Ha! We laugh in the face of storm clouds and tour on anyway!

The views were amazing!

The guard rails left a lot to desire for this Mama. If only they were 6" taller!

The boys loved looking out at the vast ravines.

All three of them!

Since it was Cold Shivers Point and both Oliver and I had to put on jackets to emerge from the car, we posed for a Shivering Photo together. The two of us are wired very similarly. It's almost scary at times.

Oliver then exclaimed that he was a rock climber and he proceeded to show us his skills across the landscape.

Kellan was thrilled to find an ant.

Ants are big news when you're two.

Don't be fooled for his love of ants. After he watches them work hard to harvest their food or move the dirt, he steps on them. Done and Done!

We made numerous stops in order to keep Kellan's car sickness at bay. We also drove with our windows down in the 55 degree weather. Oliver and I took one for the team this day. Brrr!!!

Next up, Ute Canyon.

Keith was thrilled with the size of the sage brush and explained this to Kellan.

Kellan quickly noticed the ants living below the sage brush.

Oliver stopped to check that the sage brush and ant descriptions were in fact, accurate.

Heading off to view Ute Canyon.

Behold... Ute Canyon, Colorado.

The Blue Angel had the pleasure of joining us on this stroll.

Oliver and Keith spent quite a bit of time observing the canyons and discussing the geology, agriculture and animal life.

Off to the east we heard a rumbling that go Louder and LOUDER. To our surprise we had a treat of seeing both Osprey take off from Grand Junction and fly over the National Monument to the west. One flew just north of us and one was just south of us. Keith's day was complete.

As lunch time was approaching we skipped a few view points and headed off to Artists Point.

A nice man took this photo of us,the WHOLE family!!

Kellan, Mommy, Daddy and Oliver

Artist Point

Then, the rock throwing began.

Boys LOVE to throw rocks. We discuss in great detail the appropriate places to throw rocks. Giving rocks to the bottom of the Colorado National Monument seems to be perfectly acceptable.

It's all in the back swing...

The knew bend...

The momentum and release...

Then the plunge to the bottom of the canyon.

It didn't take too long for Kellan to follow suite.

It also didn't take long for Mama to notice the big gap in the fence that little Kellan would fit through nicely. Looking at this picture makes my tummy turn. Immediately following these pictures my leg found its way between Kellan and the end of the fence. (just in case) Daddy thought I was paranoid and nuts.

We took a short hike to the bottom of the point.

Kellan found a few more rocks to throw overboard.

Oliver stopped in this mini cave for a tiny break and a photo.

Then, he donated to nature.

Whew! Finally at our lunch stop. Time for a picnic!

These grapes were mighty fine.

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

Kellan found this rock and loved it so much that he was giving it loving eyes, pouty lips and hugs. I about melted. I feel sorry for the girls that cross his path in his future. He's irresistible The rock agreed and came along with us for a bit.

Holding the rock with such love and care. This was a two arm, full body wrap hold.

Oliver loved lunch as well. He came back for more grapes a few times.

The next stop was right next to our picnic location and about a mile hike at the Canyon Rim Trail.

Oliver has learned that when I say "Hey, Oliver" and I have my camera I am usually looking for a photo. He has grown out of his "no-pictures and no-smiles" mode to turning around with a cheesy flash. I love it!

Kellan hiked quite a bit of it, but I happen to capture a rare moment when he let his Daddy give him a ride so that we could pick up the pace.

If you can zoom in, you can see Kellan's pouty lips. We crack up when we see these lips. They are absolutely irresistible, but this doesn't mean that he gets what he wants.

There were numerous lizards to be found but it was tough since they were the same color as the dirt and rocks.

A sampling of Kellan's pouty lips. Daddy lucked out as Kellan only carried the sticks and he didn't turn Daddy's head into a drum.

We taught Oliver how to follow the trail while in the woods by following the piles of rocks that are used as trail markers.

He pointed this trail marker out. I told him that was someone with a funny sense of humor since that was the ledge.

Seeking out ants and lizards and a quick photo op.

Kellan hiking the trail.

Both boys loved being outside, exploring and hiking.

Oliver tried taking a photo of us with Mommy's Big Daddy camera. It's a big heavy for him but his first try wasn't too bad.

After the long hike down the path we got a bit turned around and found ourselves at a camping location with a map. We noticed that the quickest way back was on this road. The boys were wearing out and the rain was coming in, again. We were such rebels walking the wrong way down the road!

After an afternoon nap for Kellan and an afternoon of exploring the hotel vineyards for Daddy and Oliver, we went out in search of Kellan and Oliver's dinner choice: Mac Cheese (this is exactly how Kellan says it) and Bsghetti (exactly how Oliver says it) for the boys.

They ate

and ate

and ate!

It blew us away!

A love of spaghetti is new for Oliver. Who knew? We sure didn't. We may be having spaghetti in our house a little more often. He even requested the meat ball, which he ate ALL of!

A cheesy spaghetti smile for Mommy!

Kellan's Mac Cheese left us a bit disappointed, but he didn't care, so we didn't either.

(Noodles with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese doesn't really fit the full description.)

After we made such a big deal over Oliver's spaghetti, he wanted to show off his dinner as well.

I also would like to point out the sign of happiness at dinner, a knee up in the booster seat. We know, this isn't proper posture at a dinner table but after a few dinners that weren't the most kid friendly, we were all so happy that they had a meal they liked and were eating and eating and eating.

(yes, we are already worried about the food bill in the near future!)