The Corn Family Has Returned.

Yes, the trip is over. The big experiment of camping multiple days with two kids under the age of six was a success. Rachel and Margaret loved sleeping in the tent, singing campfire songs, and hopefully, spending time with Mom and Dad. Our first night was spent at John Martin State Park in Eastern Colorado, which was a nice comfortable place to get our feet wet with the new tent and camp kitchen. Our next night was spent at the Great Sand Dunes National Park where we fell in love with the dunes all over again. I've been there a few times and Jennifer has been there once before, but Rachel and Margaret were first timers and their excitement was contagious. We took an evening hike into the dunes and watched a great sunset. We then went to Ridgway State Park where we spent the bulk of our time. This place was amazing and we're already planing a return trip. We spent three nights at Ridgway S.P. and hit Telluride for some good clean mountain town fun, and Ouray for some bubbly hot springs fun. Form there we went to Arkansas Headwaters State Park and found a great little campsite a few miles outside of Buena Vista with a great view of the river. After six days of sleeping in our tent it was wonderful to spend two nights wrapped in the warmth and hospitality of my uncle and aunt in Denver. We left Denver and headed up to Breckenridge with my sister, brother-in-law, and Rachel and Maggie's cousin, Ella. Life in Summit County was as good as advertised and we all had a wonderful time. It has taken a few days for the girls to get back on a suitable schedule of going to bed at a reasonable hour, but if that's the price we pay for two weeks of pure joy then so be it. Here are a few pictures of the trip, but if you want to see more then click this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cornbikerides/Corn2009ColoradoAdventure#


Our first ever campsite as a family.


Rachel of Arabia.



Telluride gondola ride.


More gondola fun.


Sisters on the Arkansas River.