Day Three - Headin' Northwest

No exercise today.

This morning we kinda took it easy at the hotel, although it brought to a head a smack-down convo that needed to happen.

The boys had been acting like complete morons the past couple days, misbehaving, picking on each other, ignoring what they've been asked to do or not do, and generally trying CONSTANTLY to make each other laugh with whatever inappropriate conversation topic they can think of.  (Think bodily functions and naughty bits.)

Well, I'd had enough.

So the morning brought the "shape up or we're through here" conversation, which resulted in scowls on all three of our faces as we headed out for the day.  That said, today felt like the most fun so far, and felt like we'd started to finally get in our roadtrip groove.

After a quick breakfast at Einstein Brothers Bagels (we tried to find something unique first but failed), we hit the road and stopped first at Red Rocks Park and Ampitheater, on the far west edge of Denver.  That was really cool, and after donning our gloves, allowed the boys to squirrel around and put smiles back on their faces.  Cory & Cole hopped their way all the way down the seats to the stage, then climbed around the rocks a bit, but the best part was on the way out, when they wanted to climb some rocks. 

We all climbed up a ledge by the car, which gave view of a giant hillside that the boys were aching to climb, to the top. So I perched myself on a rock, and said "go to it!" figuring there was probably no better way for them to shake off some of their "moron energy" than some physical exhertion.  I watched as they climbed and climbed and turned into ants at the top of the hill.  The whole time, we were in earshot and could shout back-and-forth, and the rule was that they had to be able to see me (so I could see them), which they generally obeyed.

In fact, when nature called and I had to duck behind a tree, Cole seemed to have a mini panic attack from 4/5ths the way up that I'd left!

After they came back down all damp and dirty, we climbed in the car and headed west to Idaho Springs for lunch.  We partook in a custom-crafted Mountain Pie pizza at Beau Jo's, a Colorado standard pizza place, played some arcade games after, then walked along the main drag and checked out some of their nifty shops.

We saddled up again around 3 and headed into the mountains towards Steamboat Springs, which was our destination for the night.  On the way up we listened to three more chapters of The Golden Compass (thanks Lisa & David!) which helped the time pass, and actually led to Cole's first car-nap, proof that the earlier climb did its job.

When we arrived in town, we went straight to Strawberry Park's hot springs, which is what lured us up there, on the recommendation of Cole's Wings teacher.  It is a series of rock pools set in the mountains, all different temps.  When we walked up to the admission wagon, the creepy old guy in there said in his creepy monotone voice, "Ah... More victims."

We paid the fee and rented some towels from him, then got our swimsuits and changed into them in a teepee before venturing out, half naked, into the 28-degree surroundings.  Needless to say, we scurried quickly to what turned out to be the hottest pool (some 110 degrees) and as soon as our boy-vittles were accustomed to the hot water, plunged ourselves into it.

Man it was NICE! 

It was pretty cool to be just kinda floating, steam from the pools rising into the cold mountain air, in a beautiful wilderness, and the boys had a blast.  Highlight of my day, and the trip so far.

That is, until it started getting dark and we had to get out.  The pools are clothing-optional after dark, and while we didn't wanna be seeing any of that flesh carnival, we also had to find the rustic cabin I'd rented an hour north yet, on Steamboat Lake.  But really, getting out meant braving the cold in nothing but a wet swimsuit and a flimsy towel.

After we got dressed again in the aforementioned teepee, we rushed back to the car and cranked the heat for the drive back into town.  In town, we stopped at a gas station and got some provisions -- chips, drinks, Subway sammiches, and some muffins for the morning -- then hit the road for our next adventure, finding this rustic no-running-water cabin at a state park in the dark.

When Google Maps had us turn on what turned into a dark, unpaved road for about 12 miles of the trip, I began questioning the wisdom of my choice of accommodations, wondering if a) we'd arrive there too late -- after the park gates closed perhaps -- and if b) we'd really be able to find it from the sketchy directions I had. 

Cole fell asleep again on the drive, but Cory was awake to witness us passing two cows within 4 feet of the car, which, combined with a couple unintended turn-arounds, is what prompted him to say, "You really don't know where we are, do you?"

I reassured him (and myself) that of COURSE I did -- we were on the way to the state park, and almost there.  Soon thereafter, we saw signs for the park, and found that there was no gate, just self-service park fees to pay before entering.  And, just as the guy said, cabin 10 was right there as we turned in, and had the porchlight on waiting for us.

Except the heat wasn't on yet, and it was 24 degrees up here.  We unloaded the car, got our sleeping bags out, and cranked the little space heater, and then sat down to eat.  The boys wrapped themselves up in the sleeping bags for the meal, and after we ate, layered on their jammies and we all turned in for the night, at about 9:30 or so.

A good, adventurous roadtrip day.  THIS is the kinda day that makes these fun!