Weekend in the Springs

Summers bring weddings.  Josh and I are kinda past the phase in our life where we go to weddings every summer, but this season brings two weddings.  The first just happened to be close to our neck of the woods, just down in Colorado Springs.

Josh was out of town at the DMS Golf Tournament in Dallas, so the boys and I drove down to the Springs to meet Nana & PopPop, as well as the Romaniszyns who were also in town for the event.  Van was particularly excited to see Jim again.  He had just came off an undefeated season on the Browns, and couldn't wait to tell his uncle, who played for the "big Browns" all about playing Quarter Back and winning a huge trophy.  Jim was pretty tickled too, and brought Van a number of signed pictures.

The wedding itself was a small affair, but quite lovely.  It was for my cousin, Alyssa and her now husband, James.

After the wedding we got to check out downtown Manitou Springs.  On our first visit the shop owner explained that the town is so named for the multiple different springs that are around the town.  She gave us a map and a number of little cups with which to taste all the waters.  It made for an interesting way to see downtown.  The first fountain wasn't too bad, a little "mineraly" tasting.  After that they just went down hill.  One was very "mineraly" and two others had a natural carbonation that combined with the odd flavor made them taste like tonic water (which no one but Nana really cared for).  Van and Wes tried them all, even if they did spit most of them out.  We made our way through the town and stopped for some spectacular pizza at the far end, right across from a hemp shop which was a new experience for the grandparent set.

Manitou Springs was followed by a visit to the Cave of the Winds and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  The latter was a tourist attraction, but the boys loved climbing in and around the rooms and ladders, and they got to meet and feed a pair of wolves that were visiting.  The Cave was a little more genuine, and if nothing else a nice, cool reprieve from the heat.  It was here that the boys also got to sift through dirt and sand in a sluice to look for gem stones!  They each brought home a big bag that we will put through the rock tumbler.

Sunday was our last day in the area.  Josh had joined us the night before, along with one more Romaniszyn, Kerri.  We took off right after breakfast to head to the top of Pike's Peak before the afternoon storms came in.  Well, as it turned out the road to the top was only open to mile 16 (of 20) due to snow.  We were able to get out and wander around the tundra and rocks though, and take in the view.  It was amazing!  The Romaniszyns joined us at the "top," a place called Devil's Playground at 12,780' above sea level.  After a few family pictures we threw the cars into first gear and headed back down.

Later that day, after the rain, lightening and hail subsided from the afternoon storm, we checked out the Garden of the Gods.  It was really beautiful.  Huge slabs of red rock jutting up amongst the green grasses and scrub trees.  We saw mule deer wandering around and a myriad of birds.  The boys had a great time climbing about (making Nana quite nervous).

Just when we thought our adventure was over, Monday brought new excitement.  That morning we split up - Abe took the kiddos up to Loveland (he volunteered!), Kurt & PopPop drove up to Longmont and the girls all headed to Castle Rock Outlets for a little retail therapy.  Kaity and I were almost back to Longmont when we got a call from Abe:  he was on his way to the ER with Wesley after a golfing accident.  Sigh.  As it turns out Van swung a plastic golf club a little prematurely and hit Wes right above his left eye giving him a good sized gash.  Abe managed to wrangle a toddler, a bleeding, crying 4 year old and a (slightly) guilt-ridden 7 year old to the hospital.  I can't imagine.  The Loveland ER doctor and nurses were all wonderful people and glued Wes up, gave him a stuffed puppy named Fritz, a popcicle and sent us on our way.   Wes was such a trooper through all of it.  This momma was very proud of him.

Whew!  What a weekend!  Having such great family there to do it all with made it much more memorable.  We so rarely see the Romaniszyns - it was such a treat to get to spend time with them... And in the end, it's all about time.

Redmores, Irwins, Weagraffs, & Romaniszyns at the top of the world.