Breckenridge Day 2

On the second day of our Colorado trip we took this beautiful scenic route to visit my Grandpa Charlie, my Dad's dad. We treaded on higher ground then ever before, 11,539 feet to be exact. The air was thin and cold, the mountains clean and beautiful.

When we arrived, the vibe of the home where my dad grew up enthralled Jon and he set out to explore the antiques that littered the lot. It sits unchanged in a tiny town called Penrose where the sage brush reigns and the neighbors are barely within eyesight away. It was a different world. Slow paced and country... almost like we had taken a step back in time.

Grandpa Charlie was excited to have visitors. He had to give up his love of the open road due to health problems and spends the majority of his time in a tiny room in the back of his house. The last time I saw him I fell asleep on his leg in the booth of a truck stop restaurant. It was fun to get reacquainted.

There was not a whole lot to do inside the house for the girls and they got bored quickly until the cat came in. It was the meanest cat I've ever met and the girls were so terrified of her hissing and scratching and the flames in her eyes that they dared not move.

Eventually Morgan wondered off and entertained herself with our camera taking pictures of everyone and Reagan headed outside to play on the ancient swing set hidden in the sage brush. Eventually Jon headed out to explore and was like a kid in a candy store. He found snakes and ground squirrels and a gigantic centipede that was easily eight inches long.

After a great visit with Grandpa, it was time to head out on the next adventure.
We stopped for pizza in a neighboring town. A lovely sign advertising Orange Cream fudge across the street lured my Mom and I into the shop and a pound and a half later we finally emerged with the most scrumptious fudge. Then it was off to the Royal Gorge.

The Royal Gorge is the highest suspension bridge in the world... and it is high! We trekked across the planks, two inch thick wood that separated my family from a rocky and vicious fall. It swayed back and forth as the wind whipped and gently twisted the taught lines. You could barely see the train tracks that ran along the river below through the cracks and it would take your breath away.

These CRAZY people were definitely looking for a rush. This giant swing sent them flying helplessly over the gorge where they were suspended for a second over the highest height imaginable. It was, after all, the highest sky coaster in the world. No thank you.

The bridge led to a tiny staged western town and some random animals. It was interesting nonetheless and the girls enjoyed running and playing and exploring.

The bridge led to the most interesting animal... an albino buffalo. Buffalo are quite ugly in my opinion but I thought this dude was beautiful. The adventurous day tuckered the little ladies out and Jon and I drove home in quiet in the most beautiful country. And yes, both girls pull their blankets over their heads when they sleep in the car. Random.