We just returned from Estes Park, CO where we spent four nights at a family reunion. It was absolutely gorgeous and we all had a fantastic time! We stayed at Valhalla Resort in Estes Park. It was nestled in the pine trees and mountains. I highly recommend this place if you are in the area. We were only minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park and it is simply breath taking.
There were many activities for the children, especially the older ones. Drew and Kayley and Micah and Mataya were a little young to enjoy some of them but they certainly had fun getting to know their Kalkwarf cousins. Tuesday the Engels family and Joyce (Kalkwarf) and Gordan Erickson came to spend the afternoon and talk about the good old days. Pictures of the group are included in the video below. It was so great to visit with our cousin Joyce and Barb. Barb's son and family also made the trip. They are all living in Fort Collins so it was not a far drive for them. Joyce and Gordon live in Littleton. Our uncle and aunt Darrell and Elnora (my mom's sister) also made the trip. They looked just great! It was a very nice afternoon, especially for Sharon, Jan and I.
Matt did his first white water rafting trip with Nick, Taylor, Brock and Chad. Sounds like they had a blast and they all want the next reunion to be a week's excursion rafting through the Grand Canyon. Start saving your money boys and girls because that trip was rather pricey when Sharon, Jan, Megan and I did it several years ago. It was worth every red cent we spent, though, and I would go again in a heart beat!
Mark was planning to be at the reunion but that blasted Iowa weather kept him from getting his beans sprayed in time and he had to stay home and take care of business. I was really disappointed but nothing I could do about it....
Thursday was spent with most of the families visiting the Natl. Park. Sharon, Jan and I (the grandmas) went in one vehicle. We stopped at Bear Lake and walked around the perimeter and it was so beautiful and peaceful. Then we had the idea (now stupid idea) of taking the road up to Alpine Visitor Center which I "think" might be the highest point in the park. It was a beautiful drive but once we reached the treeline the three old gals started freaking out just a bit. It was cold and rainy up that high and we were driving through the clouds, or so it seemed! Once the trees were gone it was nothing but the road and a sheer drop off of miles. Perhaps I am exaggerating but that is what it felt like! Good thing Sharon was driving because I have a fear of heights and it had kicked in to high gear at the point in the drive! We finally decided we had seen enough beauty and wanted to head back down. Thank god. After talking to everyone it appears we were oh so close to the Alpine Visitors Center and now we wish we would have kept going...sort of. I have decided to never go where a tree can't grow!! My 10 point bucket list is dwindling after a very daring year for me. I must make a new one!
Lots of memories were made this week and I am so happy we did this trip as a family. The video below contains only my pictures and video. The rest of the family will send me their pics and I am going to make a family DVD so we can always have the memory.
Happy Fourth of July to everyone!!
