Estes Park "Camping"

Last weekend we went up to Estes Park for our first camping trip in the mountains. We finally got a truck that would pull the camper faster than 45 mph on a flat road. It's a great truck but doesn't have the big lift and tires like the old one:-( We stayed at a campground called "Paradise on the River". We won't be able to dry camp until we can afford a couple generators and they're $1000 each! So.. maybe next year... maybe... The one fun thing about campgrounds is you get to meet people. For instance, our neighbors next door were Jon and Jan from Omaha, Nebraska. They have an old fifth wheel camper but they just leave it there all year long and come up a few times during the summer. Then we met Rod (who I think owns the campground). He lives in a HUGE, gorgeous bus that must have cost a small fortune. He and his wife are from Georgia and I loved his stories he would tell with awesome accent. I could have listened to him talk all day. It was a true Georgia accent that's for sure!

She made herself right at home in her campchair

So did Hunter.

Throwing rocks at the river.

It was an event-filled very short weekend but it was such a great time! We took the twins on pony rides on Friday. Reagan got to ride Blizzard and Hunter rode Cookie. Hunter wasn't too keen on the ponyride idea until he watched Reagan ride away. He must have figured if the horse didn't eat her up then he surely was safe!

I'm walking Blizzard with Reagan on him

Saturday morning we went into town to walk around and shop a little bit. Estes Park has the neatest river walk area.

Reagan hanging out on the street after getting her cherished gumball.

Oh yeah... he got a gumball too...

And he is happy about it!!

Eating all the chips and salsa at lunch... just like her momma!

Ryan's good friend Paul met us later on Saturday with his wife Malia and their 18 month old daughter Briana. It was the first time we got to meet Malia and Briana and we had so much fun together! Hunter went gaga for Briana the minute he saw her. Completely smitten:-)

Little Miss Briana on her very own campchair

I know we were supposed to be camping and all, but we really wanted to go into town to eat dinner. Our food for camping didn't turn out too great anyways. The steaks we brought weren't so good and even if they were, we would have had to use plastic knives because we forgot steak knives:-) We're still learning...

The Tiki Room. This is where we ate dinner.. right on the river.

The Kelly's- Paul, Malia, & Briana

And the Edwards

Ryan looks so angry! That must have only been his first beer of the night.

We headed out Sunday morning. We're actually going back to Estes Park in a couple weeks. It's only about an hour and half away so it's great for short trips.

All of us in front of Jon and Jan's camper:-) See you next time Kelly's!!!