Vacation Day 5 - Taylor Park and Buena Vista

We packed and loaded the vehicles by about 10:00am Colorado time, and headed out to do some fishing on our way back over Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista. 

The first fishing stop was at Taylor Reservoir.  Sarah wanted to fish with her Daddy and Popee.  She also said that she "wanted to throw the fish back".  Meaning she wanted to be the one, if any fish were caught, to give them the toss back into the water. Eric had brought her "Dora" pole along, so he baited it with a worm and the three of them fished for awhile.  They had a few bites, but it was very windy, and Sarah soon lost interest in watching her bobber and decided hanging out with Nanee and Lindsee was more fun.  Eric caught a Rainbow Trout before we decided to head on up the pass and try some Beaver ponds along the way.

We did not stop at the top of the pass on the way back over this time.  But, I did take some pictures out of the truck window as we were driving to show the snow that was still left on June 17th.

In Buena Vista, we stopped at a park for a picnic lunch.  Then we walked around the park.  Phoebe started running, tripped and got a big "Ouuu" on the palm of her right hand.  She is so tough.  She did not cry, just said over and over, "ouuu" "ouuu".  She did however not want to touch anything with that hand for the rest of the day.  The park had swings and a slide that Sarah enjoyed playing on.  Dad, being the nature spotter that he is, spotted a Great Horned Owl up in a large tree.  It was pretty neat to watch it sitting up there, moving his head all around.

At the park there was an old Caboose that we climbed on.  It looked as though the inside was being restored and we could not go into it.

Later in the afternoon, we checked into our hotel.  Dad told us that he picked this hotel because it had a pool to swim in and waffles for breakfast.  We all got our suits on and went swimming.  Dad had a new swimsuit and a special new t-shirt for the occasion... His shirt said, "Never fear, Super Grandpa is here!" 

That evening we enjoyed a great family dinner at a small restaurant in Buena Vista called the Garden Song Cafe.  Dad, Sarah and I especially liked their Clam Chowder.

Vacation Day 4 - Taylor Park, Tin Cup, and Union Park

Eric and my Dad got up early to go trout fishing in the Beaver ponds that are off the road that leads up Cumberland Pass. 

Eric has on the green and brown clothes, and Dad has on the brown and red clothes.

We met them later in the morning and had a picnic lunch, did some hiking and then attempted to drive up Cumberland Pass.  This road/pass is not cleared of snow ever.  It is one that can be driven up and over IF all the snow has melted.  We were getting close to the top when snow started to appear on and over the road.  We drove through a little with my Dad in the lead in the Trailblazer, us following in our truck.  The next thing we all knew, we could go no further... the road was completely covered with feet of snow still, and we were not in a turnaround spot or even close to one.  Eric decided he would back our truck down the steep,narrow,winding mountain road to a turn around spot, and my Dad, with help from Lindsee, Mom and I turned his Trailblazer around right there on that steep,narrow, winding mountain road.  Whew!  The backing down and turning around were NOT so great, but the views from way up there were awesome!

Here is just a little snow on road.  I wish I had thought to take a picture of the covered road, Dad turning around and Eric backing down.  Next time...

When I looked in the back seat of our truck on the way down Cumberland Pass this is what I saw... Both girls had been asleep, but were now awake and hiding.  Sarah was under the green blanket, and Phoebe was covering her head and face with her giraffe.  I admit looking over the edge of the steep, narrow, winding mountain road is NOT one of my favorite things to do, but this was funny that it was obviously not one of their favorite things either.

Next we drove over into Union Park.  This is a wide-open area surrounded by the tall snow-capped mountains.  Views there were great too.  Someone had put up three crosses to remind us all of the crosses on the hill many years ago, and the life that was given for us.

Union Park was also a great place to find quartz rocks of all sizes.  I found many that I wanted to bring home for landscaping in our yard.  Eric was nice and carried many large rocks down the mountainside to our truck for me. 

That evening the guys went trout fishing again, and the girls stayed at the cabin and ate cheesy eggs, soup, and fruit.  What a great day in one of the my most favorite and one of the most beautiful places in Colorado.

Vacation Day 3 - Taylor Park and Tin Cup

What a beautiful drive from Fairplay to Buena Vista, then up-up-up and over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Park, Colorado.

Happy girl's on our way to Buena Vista...

Cottonwood Pass was OPEN, so we could get to Taylor Park.  Sometimes it is not open before July due to the amounts of snow still at the top of the pass.  There was quite a bit of snow up there still, but the roads had been cleared for driving.  We stopped at the top, like always, to take a picture with the sign and the beautiful scenery... and to throw a few snowballs.  There were some other kids at the top sledding which made some of us want to sled too.  So, with a make-shift sled (a travel picnic blanket) Popee and Sarah climbed up and sledded down!  Although, it did make my mom and I a little nervous that Sarah might be a little too close to the edge... Their smiles and laughter were contagious!  Sarah loved it, and I think my Dad did too!  There was some talk and laughter about cold "butts", but it didn't stop them from going down several times.

Mom and Dad's Trailblazer, in front of us... leading the way up the mountain.  

Climbing up...

Getting on the sled, I mean picnic blanket...

down, and back up to come down again, this time with Popee.

And down they go!

Upon arriving in Taylor Park, we checked into our little cabin at Kranner's.  We stayed in cabin #3.  It had a kitchen, bathroom, and three double beds.  It was cozy.  A great place to stay for a few days.  Sarah and Phoebe liked playing right outside the cabin. Sarah liked picking wild flowers and Phoebe picked up rocks. They also enjoyed playing with buckets, shovels, and trucks that Aunt Lindsee bought them.

After unpacking we headed for Tin Cup (about 5 miles from Kranner's).  Tin Cup can be accessed from Cottonwood Pass west of Buena Vista, from Taylor Canyon east of Almont, and from Cumberland Pass.  We drove around the small town, looked at the old Brink cabin, then drove to the cemetery.  There is so much history is this tiny town and the surrounding area. 

The cemetery is a must-see.  It is framed by the mountains, surrounded by Beaver ponds and flowing streams. The Tin Cup Cemetery is divided into 4 sections-the Protestant Knoll to the north, the Jewish knoll to the east, the Catholic knoll in the center and Boot Hill Knoll to the west. In each section there are some markers remaining, some of the most interesting are: in Boot Hill, "Black" Jack Cameron-his grave is located in the southeast corner of Boot Hill Knoll, on his marker it states: "He drew 5 Aces".  Another is the grave of Katie Fisher.  Her marker plainly states, "Katie Fisher noted early day negro cook".

It was a peaceful evening in Tin Cup.  We enjoyed the cool weather, the scenery, watching a Beaver swim around a pond, and hiking.

When we got back to our cabin we ate grilled cheese, soup, and fruit before taking baths/showers and going to bed.