Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Final Thoughts

Once again we had a terrific time.  I think that everytime we go on a family vacation it is more fun. We did miss grandson Dominic.  He's missed the last 2 Colorado trips but we are hoping he makes the next one.  He is currently a very busy young man as most college students are.  We were fortunate that he was able to join us last year in Oklahoma.

I think one of the reasons that it keeps getting better is because of the age of the grandchildren.  They are able to enjoy more of the activities that are available.  Even almost 3-year-old Mary is able to do more things.

We all had a safe trip home which is the perfect way to end any trip.  The Davids were the first out the door.  I think around 5 am but am not sure.  They pulled into their home around 3.  The Cole Jrs. left a bit before us and we were on the road about 6.  We were home around 5.  Not sure what took us so much longer.  We did stop to eat twice plus a fill up in Frisco before heading out of town and another along the way.  We did stop at a rest area or two as well.  These old legs of ours need to get out and move a bit from time to time.

Here are a few more photos from this trip.  Enjoy and see you on our next trip.

We even ate breakfast together occasionally.  My husband cooked most of the breakfasts.  We do thank him for that.  Uncle Don helped from time to time as well.

Our trip wouldn't be complete without my sister and her husband.  We are so glad they join us.  They were the last to leave the house this year.  I do thank them for taking the last batch of trash to the trash garage.  I also appreciated that they inspected the house to make sure we left nothing.

The Davids brought a board game, Pass the Mustache.  The kids loved it.  Anyway, James picked up some extra mustaches.  It was fun!

Zeke and Mary

Penny and Don

Hannah

 Ash

Need I say more.  I think we all felt this way.

Eloise at home!

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Breckenridge here we come!

We always take one day to spend in Breckenridge.  Our children and now our grandchildren love to ride the Alpine slide.  For several years now there has been fun park in Breckenridge.  They have expanded their offerings since we started coming when our children were the ages of our grandchildren.

Click here for Breck Summer Fun activities.

After breakfast we all headed up to this fun area of Breckenridge.  We all rode up to the area on the gondola which is free in the summer time.  Once there the older generation watched for a bit and then headed back into town for lunch.  Left the children and the grandchildren to fend for themselves.  I think they probably had a better time without us getting in their way.  Here are a few snaps from the Super Alpine Slide.

Eloise and Ash at the top of the slide.

Seth and Mary

Hannah and Eloise

 Mo and Zeke

 Ash and Jim

Eloise on her way up the rock climbing wall.

Ash on her way up.

Tomorrow we are all heading out for home.  It has been another terrific Frisco vacation.  I will add final thoughts a few days after we are home.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Bicycling Day

Today we decided to rent bikes and ride (or glide) from Vail Pass to Frisco.  This is a 14 mile trek down the mountain.  I was little a bit worried about finding the proper bicycle but the staff at Rebel Sports in downtown Frisco found me the perfect bike.  It was short enough that my toes could touch the ground without leaning to one side.  They explained how to use the brakes and I was ready.  I could tell I would do a better job than when James and I rode bikes in Key West.  Rebel loaded our bikes into a trailer and then delivered us to the pass.  Thank goodness we didn't have to ride up to the pass.  I would still be on my way.

On our way down to Frisco

Checking the water temperature.

Zeke and Mary ready to roll.

We decided to make a stop at Copper Mountain to enjoy a few of the activities that we had missed earlier in the week.  After trying out go-carts, bumper boats, zip line, and more bungee jumping, we headed on into Frisco.  I did discover on the 2nd half of the bike ride, that my gel seat didn't seem as comfortable as the 1st half.  The top half was all brakes and gliding.  The bottom half I had to peddle some.

The crew at Copper Ski Resort.

Seth and Zeke & Jim and Eloise go-carting.

 Mo and Ash go-carting

Seth and Zeke versus Maureen and Mary in bumper boats.

Ash and Jim on the zip line.

Mo and Seth on the zip line.

We had another great day.  I cannot believe how nice the weather has been.  We did have some rain in the late afternoon but that certainly did not hamper the day.  We ended with a great meal which was prepared by the Cole Jr. and Davids.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Georgetown Loop Railroad

Today the crew decided to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.  We have all ridden this train before but this year we decided to tour the Evertt Silver Mine and pan for gold.  You tour the mine about halfway through the train trip.  It was great.  Although this was a silver mine, they did provide a place to pan for gold.  Yes, we all found some.  We felt rich.  My sister and husband chose to tour the Lebanon Extension Mine.  There's was a little advanced the for the little ones.  In fact, Mary was too young to go to any mine.  She and her mother just rode the train.

The Evertt Mine has only been open for a couple of weeks.  We only went in 200 feet so not a long trip down the mine but we all had a feel of what it would be like to be a miner.  We entered via an elevator which we rode down into the mine.  We were inside about 30 minutes.  We had a great tour guide and I believe we all learned much.  To our surprise, we were treated to a hot dog meal before we entered the mine.  After we toured the mine, we panned for gold.

The next 4 snapshots are on the train.

Hot dog meal before entering the mine.

Entrance to the mine

We had to wear hardhats.

Ice cream treat in Georgetown after the train ride.

Last meal of the day at our rental home in Frisco.

I do apologize for so many photos today but I just couldn't help myself.  We all thought it was a great day.  I think everybody had fun.  Children and grandchildren are currently off playing at a terrific playground.  We are going to make a smores treat upon their return.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Copper Mountain

We have been to this area so many times we almost have an itinerary that we do everytime.  That's not to say we don't do new things as well.  Yesterday we went over to Copper mountain to ride the lift to the top of the mountain.  When we arrived, the lift was not running.  Hmmmm.  I guess it was needing a part.   Also, it was extremely muddy and snowy at the top of the mountain.  Oh well.  We did find a few things to do at the bottom of the lift.  Seth and Zeke played around of miniature golf. The David girls did a bungee jumping ride.  Not sure if that is what you call it but they sure enjoyed it.  Eloise was a bit nervous and Ash is just excited.

Eloise

Ash

Husband and son relaxing.

After these activities we headed back to Frisco.  Hooked up with my sister and husband.  They had picniced on their way to Frisco but went with us to Backcountry Brewery.  This is where son and daughter devoured the biggest bison burgers I have ever seen.

These can't be my children.

Wandered around town for a bit before heading back to the house.  The walk from our house to town exhausted the entire family.  The kids played for awhile.  Hannah and Jim headed out on bicycles. There were quite a few who enjoyed the hot tub.  Penny brought a delicious meal for all of us.  It was nice to not have to worry about what we were eating.  That's two nights in a row I haven't had to worry about food.  I am guessing I will be more involved with decisions this evening.  

Seth must work even when on vacation.

Ages 2, 6, 6, and 9.

Frisco, Colorado 2015 - Credit card learning day

We have all safely arrive in Frisco.  The Davids were the first to arrive around 2.  We were last at close to 5.  That worked great for us.  The fellows hit the liquor store and the gals took care of the groceries.  Anyway, the grocery store was the last of the credit card issues.  These started on Wednesday.

Son went to fill up his vehicle and the card wouldn't work.  Come to find out, I gave him and his sister the cards that they used the last year we when we were in Oklahoma.  That number had been compromised and those cards have been replaced.  When the new ones arrived, I threw away instead of the old ones. My bad.  Anyway, immediately called and company very kindly sent new ones for the children.  Because it was after 2 pm would would not get the cards until after they left. Loaned them our cards.  We would just use those on our trip out. They did arrive on time and all was good.

That is until daughter and family tried to fill up at 2 different stations in Goodland.  The card was declined. After calling, we learned that the credit card company wasn't the one declining but probably the gasoline companies.  I guess if you fill up too many times at he same company, they have a network to stop your card.  Just keep learning.  I had told our company that we would be filling up numerous times on several different days.

The last credit card issue was when the girls were purchasing our groceries.  Naturally, the fellas had both the credit cards.  Daughter was going to just use her card to pay.  Well, there was a stop on it as they hadn't told the credit card company they were on vacation.  Thank goodness we were just entering Frisco.  We stopped by the Safeway and gave them a card before coming on to the house.

We then headed on to our vacation rental.  WOW!  I must admit that once again I found a good place for us.  I do try to find a home with lots of bedrooms and bathrooms.  We just seem to get along better than way.  I found this one on Trip Advisor.  We've only been here one night but I would certainly recommend.  Here's the link.

Frisco vacation rental

Here are a few photos from the first day.

Relaxing at the front door.

Working on supper in the upstairs kitchen.

Kids enjoying our first meal.  Kids prepared a great meal of grilled hamburgers and roasted homegrown potatoes from son's garden.  Yummy!

Frisco, Colorado, 2015--Here we come

Soon we will be heading to Frisco for our bi-annual Cole family vacation.  We are all very excited. The children and their families are so excited they are leaving a day early.  Probably not a bad idea as the night in Denver will allow them to adjust to the altitude.  We will be driving the distance all in one day.  We are going to miss our oldest grandson Dominic who is off doing an internship with BRB Contractors in Oklahoma.  I imagine he would love to be cooling off with us in Frisco as it is usually hot and humid in Oklahoma.  I think the humidity may be worse than the heat.

Dominic in school in Pittsburg

Here our the kids in 2013.  Watch for posts to see how much we have changed in 2 years.