Visiting Our Missionaries

We had an absolutely delightful time in Colorado over Father's Day weekend.
We went to visit Mike's mom and dad. They are serving a mission in the Denver mission and live in an old mining town in the Rockies.
Idaho Springs, CO
The mountains are so rugged and go on and on.The Colorado River was very swollen with all the moisture and spring run off.It all made for a beautiful drive.

It was so good to finally see Grandma and Grandpa after the long drive.
Grandma had a wonderful picnic ready for the weary travelers. We visited as we waited for the train.

 

This was the first real train ride for several of us in our family.

 

The train took us to the Lebanon Mine. The coolest REAL miner tour guide gave us a fabulous tour. His knowledge of mining and geology was fascinating. He was the real deal!
Every one needed to protect their huge melons- even Jessie. We got to see several veins of silver in the mine. Grandpa got in trouble for trying to take too much home with him.

 

It was cold, as a storm passed over, but the train ride was still breathtaking. After learning all about the mines we could then see the mountains were littered with mine tailings.

 

The next morning after breakfast Grandpa took us on a walk down along the Clearwater Creek. We saw the water wheel, met Charlie Taylor and fell in love with the authenticity of Idaho Springs.

 

After some lunch we headed up to Mt. Evans. We drove along the highest oiled road in the US. We just kept going up and up. The wind chill on top made it 5 degrees. The clarity, distance, and elevation were truly breathtaking, or was it the wind?
The top is uninhabitable to everything, but the goats. They lick the minerals off the rocks. We went to the visitor center to learn some more and became Junior Rangers.