Family Vacation - Crested Butte (Day 4)

Sadly, our vacation is almost over and we have to head home today.  After breakfast, we packed up the car, and headed out.

 



Such a little cutie!!

All packed up and ready to head home

Worn out after such an awesome vacation!

 

Hi, Gibson!

We decided to go back home a different way than we came and go over Cottonwood Pass.  The plan was to do a hike or two on the way home but unfortunately we were being chased by rain/thunder clouds so we decided to play it safe and just enjoyed the drive.

Cottonwood Pass

At the top of Cottonwood Pass there was a short hike up to the top.  We thought we would be able to do it quick before the rain came, but after we took picture by the sign and were about to start up, it all of sudden started hailing!  So we booked it back to the car, got a very confused look from Braelyn "what is this stuff hitting me in the head" and just continued down.


Right before it starting hailing
(setting on the camera was wrong but no time to take another with the hail)

We found a nice spot to stop for our last picnic lunch of the weekend.  We could hear thunder in the background so didn't venture too far from the car just in case but took our time at lunch.

We drove through Buena Vista, another spot we were thinking about staying. It is a cute little town but we were glad we choose Crested Butte.  From Buena Vista  home it should have taken us less than 2 hours, unfortuately we hit some crazy mountain weekend traffic and it took almost 4 hours to get home!! Which meant that Braelyn had been in the car for almost 6 hours!  Good test for when we drive to MN labor Day weekend I guess...but not really what we had planned. Braelyn was a superstar!! She fussed a little bit (as did Mommy) but between toys, songs, and snacks she was able to stay distracted and pretty happy.  She now interacts with us through the car mirror so we could play peek-a-boo and "Sooo big" too.  (just started doing "Sooo big" on the way home)
Since she did so awesome in the car, we promise her ice cream as a reward when we got home.  She of course didn't say no to that.  She has gotten very good with the spoon when there is ice cream on it.  :)

Yumm!!

It was a fantastic trip!! We loved every minute of it! (well maybe not the traffic on the way home but every minute besides that he-he)  Crested Butte is such a gorgeous area and very laid back. It was so nice to get away, relax with no schedule, and just enjoy each other. And loved having 4 full days with Jason, Braelyn, and Gibson!  We will definitely be going back!