Adventures to Southwest Colorado - Day 4

Ouray is a cute little town nestled in the moutains. While we were there, it rained almost all the time which provided a nice change in temperature. It did stay clear enough for us to do 2 quick morning hikes. The first hike we did was really close to our apartment. While waiting for Tyler to finish his Kumon, Cody and I decided to go check it out.

He was particularly adventurous that day and we actually both made to the top of the falls. For once, without Daddy to support him in his climbing, he had to do a lot of it on his own! :)

After Tyler was done, we went to check out Box Canyon Falls(surprisingly impressive). There were several hiking routes to go see the Falls. But they were all so pathetically short, we did ALL of them just to rake in the miles. One of them took us over the falls which was fun! The next one took us close to the falls at the bottom which the boys loved and the last one was just a walk around the area. We then had a picnic lunch at one of the pavilions as we enjoyed the nice views around us.

After lunch, we went to visit a Gold Mine. It was the kids' first mine and also on top of nap time, so we didn't know what to expect. As usual, some incentives were given to encourage good behavior. Tyler was very gungho about the trip and as usual marched along like a little trooper while Cody was running out of steam as we marched 1500 ft into the mine.

They managed to stay quiet during the entire time of the tour and kept asking about Tommy Knockers. So, they were quite happy to get their Miner's Hat at the end of trip. By the time we got out of the mine, it was cold and wet and made it conducive for nap.

We all napped for 3 hrs!!! We finally woke up and went for a relaxing dip in the Hot Springs. Another first for the kids and Tyler had to take a swimming test and the life guard was very impressed with his swimming. It was a good hour before we could drag the kids out of the warm pool and headed back to town for dinner.

Cody and I made it to the falls

Cody had to do a lot of his own climbing

View from top of Box Canyon Falls

Bridge across the falls

They found a small tunnel(old tunnel)

View of us on the bridge and all the way down

Route to the bottom of the Falls

Strong current from the falls

The kids at the bottom

The metal walk ways

Picnic lunch at the Falls

Who decided it was a good idea to run in the rain??

Or put on tails??

Beginning of mine tour

Keep on going...

Some drilling work!!!

We made it!

Tyler the miner

They got their prize.. though Cody was very guilty when i asked him if he walked all the way..

Warm pool, cold evening...

Feeding some fish by the hot springs