A heat wave, which has seemed to stick around this summer has had us all looking for ways to stay cool. Ella capitalized on the opportunity, when she used her own money to open a lemonade stand one weekend. We mentioned to Ella that the kids down the street might also be serving lemonade, so asked what she could do different. She declared, fresh Strawberry Lemonade would entice people to her stand.
So, the kids made the signs and waved to cars passing by. Ella and Eric were so excited! Ella even made her money back and made enough profit to donate over $10 during Vacation Bible School for the purchase of Mosquito nets in Africa. She was so proud that she earned all the money herself. Quite the entrepreneur we have blooming.
Unfortunately, the heat has taken it's toll in and around Colorado. June 26th I watched as my hometown of Colorado Springs started to burn. Homes and businesses left in ashes, the fire blackening much of the beautiful backdrop of Colorado Springs. The Waldo Canyon Fire left two people dead, destroyed 356 homes and burned 18,247 acres in the Pike National Forest and in Colorado Springs.
Our prayers and hearts go out to all the families, friends, and that were effected by the fires. Of course, this was not the only fire at the time. There were over 10 fires burning at one time across Colorado and three burning around the area of Durango, our next destination in our series of camping trips. Fireworks and no open burning was allowed across the state.
Regardless, we decided to make a go of it as the weather was supposed to be cooler with actual chance of rain for the week ahead.
We stopped over at the Great Sand Dunes arriving late in the evening to avoid the hot temps of the mid day sun. We spent the next morning hiking up the Dunes. We had fun trudging through the sand and although the kids were sure they could make it to the top, quickly realized it was no easy task.
Ella made some wonderful sand angels, we dug for dinosaur bones, and managed to get sand absoltely EVERYWHERE! I think we're still finding sand in our shoes! After almost two hours at the Dunes and noon quickly approaching with over 100 degree temps, we decided it was time to head back.
We spent July 4th in Durango and enjoyed a very patriotic parade at the campground. The kids were so excited to take part in the parade, they decorated their bikes and rode proudly all around the campground. The kids even won prizes for the most patriotic girl and boy!
After the parade, we decided to head to Honeyville to check out the bee farm. We had just been reading about how honey was made, so thought it was the perfect side trip and it was only 20 minutes from our campground.
We brought back some very yummy honey! The kids were mesmerized by all the bees and took some time finding the queen bee. It was a fun outing, short and sweet!
We took some time listening to music in old town Durango and walked the shops, but without the fireworks we were in bed early. A good thing, since we had our Durango and Silverton train ride in the early morning.
The kids couldn't make it to the train fast enough and were absolutely thrilled, as they had been anticipating this trip for months.
The views were no short of spectacular! All the wonders of God's glory, just stood out and kept us captivated for our entire journey to Silverton.
We passed enchanting waterfalls,
climbed steep mountainsides and crossed rattling bridges from the late 1800's, peering down to one of the most gorgeous picturesque settings,
following the Animas River through the canyons.
Even Ella spent most of the two and a half hour train ride up and back, taking in all the glory!
We had an amazing time! We spent almost the whole day on the train and still the kids couldn't wait to do it all again! We took a short stop in Silverton for lunch, then it was back on the train.
Riding in the open air gondola car we were covered in soot, but we didn't care. The kids had the full experience, soot and all. I didn't put my camera down the whole journey! How awesome are God's works!!
The kids really enjoyed the campground and were thrilled to meet two very nice sisters, from Arizona. The girls all helped watch over Eric and every day they would look for each other to go biking or play games.
Ella really seemed to click with 8 year old Grace and the girls decided they would be pen pals by the end of our camping trip. We do hope we'll get to see them again!
We left Durango on a much cooler morning, so we figured the Great Sand Dunes would be a bit more bearable this time as well as a cold front was coming in.
The weather was cooler, as the rain started coming down that evening and was on and off the following morning. However, it was a nice change. We checkout out the visitor center and took one last photo before heading home.
We often are so busy going about our day, that we forget to take time out to really see the beauty that surrounds us day to day. We are so thankful and blessed to be able to enjoy not only time together as a family during our trips, but to enjoy all the magnificent creations in nature God has bestowed upon us!
I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
~ Psalm 121: 1-2
