Colorado National Monument

Monday, August 8

This morning we packed up the RV and (sadly) returned the rental Tahoe. We were out by 8:45 (A NEW RECORD!!) and hit the road for Colorado National Monument. We were doing great up until the monument when we had to pass through some VERY small tunnels. Dad and I had to unhitch the car and take it into the tunnel before the RV so we could block traffic on the other side.

We finally pulled into the campsite around 12:30. Once the RV was settled we decided that we (Mom, Dad, Papa, Evan and I) would hike around Colorado National Monument. I packed up my fanny pack and we all threw a water bottle in the backpack with a map before setting out.

We walked to the hiking trail in the rain… it was kinda nice because it cooled things off for us. When we finally got to the trail, there was a park ranger there to give a 30 minute lesson on the geology of the national monument. He was a very good presenter and answered all of our questions about the area.

After his presentation, we hiked a trail that would eventually lead us to the visitor center. We had an amazing view of the rocks around us and we were up high in the canyon. Evan and I had fun throwing rocks over the edge and waiting to see how long it would take for them to hit the ground.

The motor home looks mighty small

Dad drives the beast

Are you sure we can squeeze through that hole?

Happy Campers!!

Up on the roof

The milky way!

The morning disaster

Once we finished the hike, Mimi picked us up at the visitors center and drove us back to the RV so we could get our National Parks Passports. Papa, Evan and I drove back down to the visitors center to get our stamps, and then Papa let me drive around the park to see all the pretty sights. He and Evan kept oohing and ahhing as we would round the corners and I’d be like ‘Please oh please let me keep this car on the road.’

We came back home to a lovely dinner that Mimi prepared; corn, lima beans, mac n cheese and pork chops.

After dinner, Mom, Dad, Evan and I rode over to the independence overlook to watch the sunset over the canyon, we got there a little late but it was still gorgeous. I also met the cutest little bunny. His name is now Theodore and I took about 20 pictures of him so Papa better put at least 2 here (He’s in charge of the pictures as long as I take care of the writing.)

When we got back, Mom, Papa and I went for a walk around the campsite and got to pet the cutest little dog ever (her name was Scooter.)

Dad and I are planning to go out tonight and try again with pictures of the stars. Last night they didn’t look great