5-31, Memorial Weekend

It's amazing this crazy idea of mine came together.  Mom and dad were planning on coming through for a visit about Memorial Weekend time, we already had plans to go camping Memorial Weekend.  Why not meet in Buena Vista for a weekend together? The idea was a little more simple than getting camping reservations just a few weeks out from the first holiday weekend of the camping season.   The state campgrounds were full but we were able to find two adjacent spots at a private campground that met all of our needs (our need is a place long enough to park our trailer, mom and dad's needs are a little more extensive).   We dodged snow and basked in the sun.  It was a little bit of everything wrapped into one.  It was so fun to camp with them again.  Here are some iPhone memories of our weekend.....

Brrr......

Cows!  Cows! Baby cows!

Glimpses of the Arkansas River valley- so beautiful.

A picnic at Chalk Lake.  Lol.... it was so cold that after we ate, mom and I ate took a little snooze in the warm cab of the truck while everyone else fished. Ha!

Not quite the 'roughing it' that we're used to (am I even allowed to say that since we camp in a trailer?!), but a little more so for mom and dad, I think.

The kids may be ruined-- Em may always want to go to a campground with a playground and Nik one with a creek running through it.

Nik letting Em reel in a fish at Cottonwood Lake.

Em just had to touch that fish!

Cottonwood Lake a is a favorite for our family.

My little girl almost doesn't fit on my lap anymore.  How can that be?!  On the other hand, look at the size of the tree trunk we're sitting on!

The grand prize for a day's fishing at Cottonwood.

A little ice cream and coffee in Buena Vista.

That is one wiggly tooth that is hanging on by a thread.

Can you BELIEVE she let grandpa pull it out??

A drive up to Hecla was rewarded with the fun of watching the rafters.

Another beautiful Colorado favorite with my favorite people.

A friend from days gone by recommended a pizza place in Salida.  (I find it quite amazing that a high school friend from Hamilton who now lives in Texas loves to come to this area as well because it reminds him of home also!)

We gave mom and dad the complete tour and showed them our favorite woods to camp in.

Talking grandpa's ear off.  Lol......

Nik eating his campfire-cooked catch from the creek.

S'mores for dessert-- a little break from the chocolate cake I baked for my dad.

My family always thinks I'm crazy when I say, "Stop!  Don't move! The light is amazing!"
But, isn't this a great candid of dad?!

Packing up and moving on.  It's always sad to say goodbye, but we're thankful for the fun.

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend.  Let the summer begin!