Snips and Snails and Puppydog Tails

Finally! The last installment of our family trip recap. (I know you’ve been on pins and needles).

On Friday, July 20, we loaded up to the gills again and headed toward Buena Vista, Colorado. Bryan’s original plan was to go from Almont to Taylor River Canyon to Taylor Park, then up the dirt road side of Cottonwood Pass, and down the paved side into Buena Vista. Notice I said that was BRYAN’s original plan. I was not excited about this plan. Anything with steep passes, switchbacks, and dirt roads with a car full of boys and I was ready for him to just knock me out and wake me when it was over. Thankfully, Bryan mentioned this plan to someone during our stay in Mt Crested Butte who told him that there was some construction on some part of that route that sometimes had things backed up for hours. Once he learned this, we decided to go “the long way” to Buena Vista – back through Gunnison, on “bigger” (ahahahaha) roads and over one “small, easy pass,” Monarch Pass.

Not sure if you can see the elevation on the signs, it's 11,312 feet. NOT an easy pass.

After a potty break (for me) and pictures (duh) at the top of the pass, we went on into Buena Vista. We stayed in the new South Main development in a private home. It was LOVELY. I’m partial to the craftsman style home, and this one was absolutely amazing.

Views in, from, and around the house in Buena Vista, CO

We got settled into the house a bit and then took a stroll to get acquainted with the area.

Views of the street and the Arkansas River.

Victoria, Austin, and Sophia joined us Friday evening and stayed through Sunday mid-morning. We were having so much fun together that I didn’t get any pictures – sorry. 🙂

We celebrated Jacob’s 12th birthday Friday night.

Jacob's 12th birthday!

Other things we did while in Buena Vista:

We rented bikes and explored the town on two wheels.

Sam got to try out a Stryder for the first time.

We spent some time at the river.

Bryan took the boys up (the paved side) of Cottonwood Pass and they did a little hiking. Sam and I did NOT go. I’d had enough of passes at this point and Sam needed a nap.

Bryan got some great shots, didn't he?

One day when the rest of us didn’t feel like venturing out, Bryan went on a hike by himself. Yes, he had his phone with him; yes, it was a well-marked trail; yes, he was careful; yes, I was nervous until he was home safely.

Quite the amateur photographer, right?

We really had a wonderful time. After an overnight in Amarillo on the way home and one night at home, we headed to Houston for a weekend with my parents…but that’s a topic for another post.