Breckenridge family vacation (day four)

The No. 1 thing I wanted to do on our vacation was go white-water rafting. And our "Merica" tour guide knew how to have a good time. We only have these purchased pictures to show for it, but our adventure also included all five of us in our raft jumping off a huge rock into the chilly Arkansas River.

It was only day four, but the experience was a highlight of my trip.

My sister Laurie on our way back.

While we went white-water rafting, the others must've gone shopping or something.

Just hanging out and spending time together is always our favorite thing to do.

That evening, it was time for our nightly stroll around the golf course.

Can you see the fox?

Landon's got the hiking thing down.

Frustrated golfer.

Lovely ladies.

Ahhh...

Breckenridge family vacation (day three)

Monday morning, I left the house and went for a little exploratory drive by myself.

Without a map or GPS or mobile app, I drove for about 20 miles or so ... including over some rocky paths I wouldn't have driven on if it hadn't been a rental vehicle.

Until I came to this "bridge." I thought about it, but I reluctantly stopped.

So I just enjoyed the scenery. Not only does it look better in person, but the rushing water was surprising loud — especially when you're in the middle of a forest and everything around you is so quiet.

Later that morning, we all headed into Breckenridge so the boys could wade in the Blue River.

I tested the water, too, and it was cold!

Leading up to our vacation, the No. 1 thing Jack said he wanted to do was "pan for gold." So he was determined to find some shiny stuff.

Trying to get a picture of all four of the boys at once didn't turn out so well, so here they are individually. Nathan.

Jackson.

Landon.

(OK, I can't decide which one of these pictures I like better of Landon — that is, which one of them looks more treacherous — so here's another.)

And Dominic.

Schuyler and Felicia, too!

Then we all enjoyed a picnic lunch, right there on the bank.

That afternoon, I took the three younger boys to do the Alpine Slide. First, we rode up the gondola...

And then up the ski lift...

All the way to the top.

Now, spending the afternoon with my boys at the Alpine Slide in Breckenridge during the first week of July holds more meaning for me than most. First, is because while doing this when I was 9 that I completely ignored the "CAUTION: Slow Down" warnings and had a major wipe-out. I was left with a big scar that was still visible into adulthood.

Second, is because I did it with my Dad. And in a few days will be the 20th anniversary of his death. While our family was on a summer vacation.

So to be sharing this same exact thing — with Landon right in front of me and Jackson to my side — was really, really special.

Enough tears for now. Away we went!

It was only day three, but the experience was a highlight of my trip.

After two trips down the Alpine Slide, the boys couldn't pass up the chance to climb a little higher and check out the snow.

Or throw a snowball at Dad.

Jack "skiing."

It was a trek, but Jack and Nate conquered the hill.

We were up so high, and the view was amazing.

Just imagine that Nathan had gotten us centered and that you can see the breathtaking mountain vista behind us.

"Whee!"

By this time it was late afternoon, and we had to high-tail it back down the mountain, back down the gondola and back home ... so the people we met yesterday at church could come over for dinner!

Breckenridge family vacation (day two)

Leslie, myself, our two boys and Schuyler got up this morning and went to an outdoor worship service at The Church at Agape Outpost that Leslie had found online. It was only a few minutes away, right down the highway, and this was the view from my seat. Wow.

It was amazing — everything about it. It was only day two, but the experience was a highlight of my trip. It also was the third time in three months that we've gone to church with Skye in three different states!

This was the view from the parking lot. But after church was over, we continued talking to the nice couple sitting in front of us, who we had met during the greeting time. They were really nice and answered our questions about things to do and places to go ... and ended up coming over to our house the next night for dinner, along with their teenage son and his friend!

It was a lazy, low-key day, but a couple of us ventured into Breckenridge that afternoon.

The only other time I've been there was when I was 9 years old.

Down this side street is a retail store for the Breckenridge Distillery. It was getting a little cloudy and cool, but those "samples" warmed us right up!

Our house backed up to the Breckenridge Golf Club, a 27-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Once players were done for the day, we ventured out for a walk.

Nathan and Jack taking it all in.

The love of my life.

It was good for the boys to get out (of the pool) and run around.

Notice the moon to the right, just above the roof. Ahhh...