Colorado Family Vacation ~~ July 2001

In July 2001 we took another vacation to Colorado, this time taking our other nephew Justin, one of Jack and Debi's sons. Leaving from Stone Mountain, Georgia we had two weeks to cover a lot of miles.

We stopped in Amarillo, Texas to get a picture in front of the big cow at The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery. In 1960, R.J. "Bob" Lee opened The Big Texan Steak Ranch on Route 66, the "Mother Road." It's distinctive architecture soon became recognized across the Mother Road as a good stopping place for great steaks grilled over an open flame. The Big Texan is famous for the FREE 72oz steak challenge, which includes eating a salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and 72 ounces of beef. If you are successful, you really do not have to pay for your mail.

One of the neatest things we saw while driving out there was an solar car cruising along the highway. It was going in the opposite direction, but I was able to get a good picture of it.

We stopped at KOA campgrounds on our way because we liked staying in the Kamping Kabins. They were much less expensive than staying in motels, and we liked camping that way.

Justin did really good on the trip although Jacklyn kept complaining that he was getting on her nerves. 

I do believe we made a stop at the Capulin Volcano National Monument in Des Moines, New Mexico. 

Our next stop was the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. Jim showed Justin how to shoot, and he did really good and had fun shooting.

We then made a trip to Walsenburg, Colorado to visit our property that we had owned for many years. It was at the time of the yearly owner's meeting and we met some new friends while there, who were also owners of some acreage.

We camped on our property while there. I remember us staying in our tent and Justin and Jacklyn were supposed to be in the smaller tent. Justin did not want to sleep in the tent and ended up in the Van, and Jacklyn had to stay in her small tent by herself. She did not enjoy that; I think she was scared most of the night being alone. 

Next we headed to the Great Sand Dunes. At that time it was still just a park and we were able to tent camp right near the dunes. 

After the Dunes, we headed north to Buena Vista, Colorado where we took Justin rafting, horse back riding, then a train ride.

Heading up Highway 24 to Leadville, Colorado we were supposed to meet up with Judy Hunter and camp there. We were there a few days before Judy showed up. But unfortunately, she forgot some of her gear so we ended up just driving to her house instead of doing any camping. 

The weather was great in Denver, even though it was in the high 80s. The humidity was low and it felt great. We also noticed that our sinuses cleared up and Jim was not coughing every morning. We’re ready to move now – although I know the house we would have to get would be at least $170,000 and I’m hoping we could afford it. We’re going to have to get jobs making at least what we’re getting in Atlanta. But first we have to get our house ready to sell – we’ll see how bad Jim wants to sell and how much work gets done.

We ended our trip in Denver at Dennis & Judy’s house. They have a nice house in Lakewood, Colorado, but Dennis is still in New Jersey living and working.