Headed South and then Homeward Bound!

After the climb, we headed South to Canon City to ride the Royal Gorge Railroad. Along the way, we saw the World's Largest Rocking Chair and of course, Nana turned the car around to take a picture by the landmark (as you can see, the rocking chair must not have been a tourist attraction as it and the property surrounding it is blocked off to the public and for sale)!! A fun sight and stop, nonetheless!

Being silly as we get back on the road toward the Royal Gorge!

We boarded the train, rode First Class through the gorge, alongside the river, and were surrounded by mountains!

CHOO CHOO

A late night on the road brought us to Angel Fire, New Mexico. We woke up bright and early on the 6th day of our trip to enjoy a little lift in a hot air balloon!

Wilson and Aunt Elizabeth high in the sky!

Wilson was so excited after his ride!!

Ryan and Dylan going up with Nana

Peyton and Mommy with Wilson {on his 2nd trip up}!!

After our ballooning adventure, we drove into Taos, New Mexico to visit the Pueblo Reservation. We really enjoyed seeing the city that they built of mud and grass. Pretty amazing...

In front of the Pueblo Church

Pueblo cooking ovens

A moment of meditation outside the local Pueblo shop!

After lunch and ice cream in the Taos Town Square, we returned to the house for bow practice and a round of "Cowboys and Indians"... fun times!!

We ended the day with a short hike up the mountain...

...and then a fun and fast RUN down!!

Peyton heading back to the house

On day 7, the early risers enjoyed the lifting of the hot air balloons! We didn't get to go up today, but we were able to walk among the balloons as they inflated and lifted... such a neat thing to see!

The rest of the crew joined us as we enjoyed fishing and paddle-boating on a little lake in Angel Fire! The fishing trip was one of our very favorite parts of the entire trip!! We all caught fish... and it didn't matter who was realing it in, we were all so excited every time there was a tug on the line!! Daddy grilled our fresh trout for dinner that night - YUMMY!! Mommy took a LOT of pictures of our time at the lake...

We then rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain. Here is a picture of Daddy and Peyton enjoying the ride up!

Peyton was not concerned about the excitement of being high in the sky and apparently he does not have a fear of heights... he was sleeping by the time we reached the top!


While up top, we played a game of Frisbee Golf, here is a picture of Wilson making his first throw! We had fun playing, but I think we enjoyed "hiking" around the mountain as much as we did tossing the frisbee along the way!
After our game, we stopped for family picture before riding back to the bottom of the mountain.


Ryan enjoying the ride down... it was more like a roller coaster ride going down!

At the bottom of the mountain, the big boys enjoyed a little bouncing. Wilson was the only upside down stunt man, Dylan had some wild and crazy moves, and Ryan smiled and laughed the WHOLE time he was bouncing... the little jumping experience was very telling of each of their not so little personalities!! Fun times!!

Until next summer, we will keep ourselves busy in Nederland, Texas!! Hope you have enjoyed hearing about our adventures as much as we enjoyed making the memories... The Bell Boys