Salida or Bust!

We had a wonderful time visiting my sister Becky, her husband Travis, and their two adorable kiddos in Salida, Colorado at the beginning of July. The little town of Salida is a safe cozy place where the river runs right up next to the edge of town. Luckily the wildfires hadn't reached their area, although we did see lots of smoke up in the mountains of Colorado Springs on our way to and from Becky's house.  My heart goes out to all those people who were affected in any way by the fires. It definitely puts whats really important into perspective.



On our way to Salida, we stopped in Canon City, mostly because we spotted TRAINS and Oliver had to go check them out.

Oliver looking cool in front of the old Royal Gorge steam train in Canon City, CO.

Dustin and the kiddos with a huge Cottonwood tree next to the train tracks.

Cutie pie Wynston

Good Morning! Time for trucks and a sword fight.

Goofing off with Langston and Wyn

Digging in the sand by the Arkansas River

Silly kiddos playing in the water

Becky and Me

Dustin and Myla splashing just below "S" Mountain 

On Travis' day off he and Becky took us down to River Runners in Buena Vista, which is where Travis is the Operations Manager. It's about 30 minutes from Salida. Travis was our guide for our little family float down a calm portion of the river. The water was low which makes for more technical maneuvering, so Travis had to keep us from getting stuck on the rocks and he did a fabulous job at that. We should have tipped him!

The kids had fun going down the river. Langston and Wynston were probably pretty used to being on the raft, but Myla loved it, especially every time we hit some bumpy water and she got splashed. Oliver liked it OK.

Once our trip was over, Dustin and Travis went back to do "Pine Creek" (the real white water rapids). Dustin said that they got themselves into the raft in the water and instantly he was knocked out by the rapids. Haha. He said it was a blast though and I think the guys ended up having a fun afternoon. Sadly I have no photos of Dustin and Travis' excursion.

Future whitewater rafting guide

Oliver feeling a little uneasy as he checks out the river we were about to go rafting on.

Myla and Mommy on the river

Our guide, Uncle Travis and Aunt Becky

Oliver and Daddy hanging out in the back of the raft

We said our goodbyes that Monday morning and headed out of town to take in the Royal Gorge Bridge and its spectacular view. Oliver was more than frightened to walk across the bridge, leaving us to hold him most of the way across. But I must admit, while Dustin was talking it up to Oliver before he would step foot on the bridge, Myla wanted to start walking across. She and I got half way and dear lord, I could definitely see why Oliver was so freaking scared. I was trying to play it cool for Myla, but then she let go of my hand and waltzed right up to the edge of the bridge and seriously started to climb up it a bit to get a better view! Talk about a heart attack for a mother. I made us walk back to Dustin so we could all do it together. I picked her up and held on tight the whole way across even when she sqirmed and tried to get down. That girl is not afraid of anything!

Mountain top view

The Fam on the Royal Gorge Bridge 

A breathtaking view from the bridge