We
got everyone up at 6:30 to pack, load, and head out. It was hard to say
goodbye to our little cabin home that we loved so much. I think I could have easily stayed a whole week in that resort. We had the perfect view, nice families, and amazing weather.
We drove into Rocky Mountain for one last peek. We drove in a half mile to a meadow and everyone walked around to take in the scene and store it in our memories. We drove down the mountain and observed the many areas that the September 2013 floods affected. There were homes and major highways washed completely away. We could see some of the damage throughout the Estes park area, but didn't know how bad it was until we got home later and saw youtube videos.
Next we
drove to Loveland and with general directions, I drove to my old home. The
little barn house was still there that was my home for a semester that I loved. It was
furnished so cute, had a silo stairway and an amazing view of the foothills. I
used to look out everyday and just love
being there. I had a cool roommate, Jolene, and the Landlord’s were very kind
people. Although today nobody was home, I showed the kids and Mark. That started me reminiscing all the memories of my days in Colorado 1996/1997. 
From there we drove to Ft. Collins and straight to the CSU Equine Center. I gave the family the walking tour, saw the indoor large arena, clasroom and arena, and a new ranch building with stalls. It was fun to show and tell. I have always wanted to come back and see it.
It was getting close to lunch, and I had planned in my mind that I wanted to find the old ice cream shop everyone loved. I didn't know if it was still there and just recalled the name, "Walrus". I didn't know how to get downtown, but I knew if I drove in the general direction I would find it. Everything had changed so much. Everything seemed bigger and busier, highways that were now 2 lane. At this point I think Jesus took the wheel, LOL. He was guiding me right where I wanted to go. Still not sure where I was, we found downtown and parked. We decided to go into a Mexican restaurant for lunch that was very nice and delicious. Little did I know, right next door was "The Walrus" ice cream shop. How cool was that and what are the odds! We all got an ice cream cone. The place had not changed one bit. They still have daily specials and mix there own concoctions. I think the Stone Cold ice cream shops copied their technique for making ice cream. It was the best.
From there we only had an hour drive to Cheyenne. We arrived at our hotel and checked into our room. Another blessing, the hotel manager saw how many people we had and upgraded our room with no extra charge and without us knowing. That never happens, and we were surprised. We walked into a room with bunk beds and two queens. I had booked online with just two queens and figured Luke would sleep on his air mattress. We went downtown Cheyenne and looked around, went to an old train depot museum and went to some shops. Mark really enjoyed the train museum. I couldn't wait to shop all the western stores. I was so disappointed to only find one, The Boot Barn. The same store is in Iowa, and I noticed that was the same store we stopped in in Colorado. I think The Boot Barn has taken over all western stores, and I don't like it. They are way high priced and all the same selection. I was really looking forward to finding some unique Cheyenne, WY western stores. Everything is a chain anymore. Back at the hotel we ate out and the kids swam in the pool.
We drove into Rocky Mountain for one last peek. We drove in a half mile to a meadow and everyone walked around to take in the scene and store it in our memories. We drove down the mountain and observed the many areas that the September 2013 floods affected. There were homes and major highways washed completely away. We could see some of the damage throughout the Estes park area, but didn't know how bad it was until we got home later and saw youtube videos.
Next we
drove to Loveland and with general directions, I drove to my old home. The
little barn house was still there that was my home for a semester that I loved. It was
furnished so cute, had a silo stairway and an amazing view of the foothills. I
used to look out everyday and just love
being there. I had a cool roommate, Jolene, and the Landlord’s were very kind
people. Although today nobody was home, I showed the kids and Mark. That started me reminiscing all the memories of my days in Colorado 1996/1997. 
From there we drove to Ft. Collins and straight to the CSU Equine Center. I gave the family the walking tour, saw the indoor large arena, clasroom and arena, and a new ranch building with stalls. It was fun to show and tell. I have always wanted to come back and see it.
It was getting close to lunch, and I had planned in my mind that I wanted to find the old ice cream shop everyone loved. I didn't know if it was still there and just recalled the name, "Walrus". I didn't know how to get downtown, but I knew if I drove in the general direction I would find it. Everything had changed so much. Everything seemed bigger and busier, highways that were now 2 lane. At this point I think Jesus took the wheel, LOL. He was guiding me right where I wanted to go. Still not sure where I was, we found downtown and parked. We decided to go into a Mexican restaurant for lunch that was very nice and delicious. Little did I know, right next door was "The Walrus" ice cream shop. How cool was that and what are the odds! We all got an ice cream cone. The place had not changed one bit. They still have daily specials and mix there own concoctions. I think the Stone Cold ice cream shops copied their technique for making ice cream. It was the best.
From there we only had an hour drive to Cheyenne. We arrived at our hotel and checked into our room. Another blessing, the hotel manager saw how many people we had and upgraded our room with no extra charge and without us knowing. That never happens, and we were surprised. We walked into a room with bunk beds and two queens. I had booked online with just two queens and figured Luke would sleep on his air mattress. We went downtown Cheyenne and looked around, went to an old train depot museum and went to some shops. Mark really enjoyed the train museum. I couldn't wait to shop all the western stores. I was so disappointed to only find one, The Boot Barn. The same store is in Iowa, and I noticed that was the same store we stopped in in Colorado. I think The Boot Barn has taken over all western stores, and I don't like it. They are way high priced and all the same selection. I was really looking forward to finding some unique Cheyenne, WY western stores. Everything is a chain anymore. Back at the hotel we ate out and the kids swam in the pool.
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