This year was the first year since 2005 that our family was able to go on a summer vacation but man did we make up for lost time! Our plans changed last minute from Colorado to New Mexico but I couldn't imagine a better time. We centered our activities around our favorite Taos, NM and stayed at the nearby Sipapu ski resort & summer lodge. We picked the kids up on Thur. night and made our first official stop (other than gas stops) in Springer, NM for a delicious authentic breakfast with green chiles. YUM! I LOVE the smell of New Mexico and the bright blue sky! It was so refreshing.
Can you tell they just woke up?
They were in such a great mood for traveling in the van for 9 hours and just waking up...but they were hungry too so I'm pretty sure they knew they had to smile before I'd let them eat. :)
Mr. Entertainment...
If you look real close you can see Noah trying to cover up his smile...Eli was super funny...
We stopped at this Inn & Cafe where Scott took our German son Martin on their road trip back in 2005. It is very quaint and delicious!
Isn't it cool?
Those blue skies pull at my heart strings...and those mountains tell me we are getting close to Taos!
I didnt take a van pic when we started so this was taken a few hours from Eagles Nest, NM. As soon as we hit the mountains the kids put down their electronic devices and were WOWED by the trees and view. They were in AWE of the mountains and the cool breeze. Remember, it was like 109 at home!
Scott found a little place to stop and the kids jumped out and explored a little. Lucas kept saying, "This is the BEST vacation EVER!" and we hadn't even made it to our destination yet! :) They were really struck by the mountains and we were so happy to be the ones to introduce them to this area.
On our way up the mountain we met up with one of my oldest friends. Her family was in Angel Fire for the week and were on their way down the mountain as we were headed up. We hung out for an hour and a half at a little cafe in Eagles Nest and caught up on life. We have been friends since 1st grade!
We were kind of in our PJ's for our meet up but she promised no judging! lol
It was great hanging out with them!
It didn't take very long after our stop to get to the lodge. Isn't our room cozy? We had 6 beds and a nice little bathroom that was the perfect size. It made for some great family time!
As soon as we got there Scott needed to lay down so we let him take a nap while we explored the mountain side and lodge grounds.
This little bridge led from the back door of the lodge to the mountain. Isnt it beautiful?
This was the beautiful stream running down from the mountain and right by the back door of the lodge.
The kids and I explored the mountain, played a little disc golf and hiked our way up, up, up.
This was looking back down the mountain after we started hiking...I wish you could really get an understanding of how high we hiked!
Noah was always at the head of the pack. That boy basically ran up the mountain! He actually made it all the way to the top while the rest of us stopped.
Lucas was my buddy and we found walking sticks, quartz rocks, mushrooms, blue jays and a golf ball on our hike!
Wild flowers are meant to wear right?
We each found a walking stick and spent the week whittling off the bark and cleaning them up for souvenirs. We now have 4 by our front door in case we find a mountain here in KS/MO.
I LOVE this shot.
Here is our group shot before we made our way back down to the lodge. It was a great hike and so beautiful! Not too bad after a 12 hour road trip...
After our hike we explored the stream...
Here is the back of the lodge. We were on the 3rd floor.
Our ski lodge was the first one in the Taos area and it is a great place to learn how to ski. The kids are hoping we can go back during winter so they can learn a new sport.
When we went to the patio restaurant for dinner we were surprised to see hummingbirds everywhere! They were close enough to touch!
Hanging out before dinner...the restaurant is on the right by the red/yellow flags. It was beautiful!
After dinner we explored the stream...the sun was going down and it was cool enough for me to wear a jacket while the kids sloshed around in the cold, fresh water.
Chilly but happy kids...
After some hot showers, a few snacks, light up frisbee game (in our room!) and some fun with "light painting" and my camera we all passed out. It was a fantastic first day in New Mexico!
