salida camping

We had one last free weekend for the summer that needed filling...And guess what we chose.  Haha!   I know, we did do alot of camping in a short period of time but had such fun doing so, I would not take one minute back.

Our Salida camping adventure began with a small hiccup.  We left on a Saturday and were planning to stay at one of the free spots that still had restroom accommodations.  I would say the reason we left the campsite was funny, but unfortunately, it was not at all. 

A small person, or midget, or little person, I apologize for not knowing the correct way to say a man who was about 3 feet tall came over to our camp site, very, very drunk and very, very high and began talking with us.  He kept implying things like, "I just came from a grow facility (aka marijuana)" and "too bad you have that one (pointing at Madison) or else you could enjoy this (holding up a large bottle of alcohol."  Ugh.  All we wanted was a cheap, fun place to camp, next to the river where Madison could run around and put her feet in the water.  Now both Ben and I keep thinking,  is he coming back or what is tonight going to be like.  With distracted minds and unease in our chest we decided to just pack up and go somewhere we had to pay.  That parental feeling is there for a reason and we decided to go with our gut.  Here is where the first stop was.  The area was PERFECT!  Free restrooms, free fire pit and right next to the river.

OH!!!  And how could I forget, not but two seconds before our drunk neighbor came over I STEPPED ON A CACTUS!  Yes!  Really!  I was being so vigilant with Madison that I tripped over a rock backwards with my foot landing squarely on a cactus.  I had over 100 needles sticking out of my foot.  Yep, it hurt but nope I was still running out of that campsite.  HAHA!

On driving about 30 minutes back the way we came, we stumbled onto a KOA Campground.  I have never been to one (that I can actually remember) and had no idea what "real" camping was, aka being at a KOA with a pool, showers, activities, grocery store and even a little store to shop in.  So....maybe not "real" camping but this is the life!!  We have been doing this camping gig all wrong!!  KOA here we come!!!!

She just cracks herself up!

Enjoying some pool time.  Unfortunately I was not planning on these lush accommodations and did not bring mine or Ben's swim suits.

Don't forget the playground!!!

Madison loved this slide but when Daddy sat up he had sand from here to you know where.  Haha.  The sacrifices we make!!

"Please Daddy, one more!"

We have started a camping journal and want to keep the pop up in a picture at every spot we go.

Even with the hiccups, the trip was tons of fun with lots of CRAZY memories :)

knock, knock

6:00 - With one eye open I check the clock.  Yep, as usual, my internal alarm is saying "your daughter is going to be up very soon!"

6:17 - Knock, Knock on the door

6:18 - Knock, Bang, Knock, Bang on the door

6:19 - Knock, Bang, Bang, Bang on the door

6:21 - Mommy rescues the doll thats head is about to go thru Madison's door

Every morning we wake to this small, yet determine knock on her door.  Every morning I wake up with a huge smile and laugh at my adorable daughter.

One of the many crazy positions we find her in

Ben sanded and refinished this toddler bed we found on Craigslist.  Basically a second hand internet store.  No kidding, the bed looks brand new and we only spent about $50 for the bed and the paint.  We find the deals.  Plus the shelving and drawers are attached which has been great for storage!

zoo fun

We bought a zoo pass this year and have used that to our benefit.  Madison and I visit the animals often, enjoying waving to the giraffes or dancing with the monkeys.  Two of her favorites.  I don't take pictures much since we go so often but this day Ben brought the camera and caught some funny moments.



"Hey giraffes, guess what little girl is BACK!!!"

"Mom, if you try and make me feed these giraffes ONE MORE TIME I may have a nervouse breakdown."



"Giraffe, say AAAAHHHH"

"Doesn't a girl get any help around here!"

"These birds are CRAZZZZZY!"

"Did one of them just try and poop on me!"

"This is what I call fun!!"

frisco, breckenridge camping fun

Fishing and Shopping.  What a better combination!  I get to shop at the Silverthorne Outlet Mall while Ben literally fishes between the stores.  Frisco here we come!!

We have loved the Breckenridge area for a awhile and only a short fifteen minute drive is Silverthorne.  The area is gorgeous, the shopping is awesome, the fishing is great and the hiking is perfect.  Why not make the second camping trip to this beautiful area.  We packed up and headed that way.

I would say the drive was just about 2 1/2 hours and wonderful but that would be far from the case.  Denver traffic was just that, Denver traffic.  The drive took 4 hours.  Madison was over it by 2 and we had not even hit the road leading into the mountains.  I was getting hungry.  Lets just say that Snickers commercial where the man transforms into an angry troll like person may be a small resemblance of myself when hunger comes over me.  And don't even mention what pregnancy induced hunger does to a girl!

We finally arrive at our destination and God must have known I was not going to last much longer because the first campsite we hit there was an opening.  One opening.  That if we did not drive fast enough to would not even be there in 2.5 minutes.  Apparently someone literally cancelled 2 minutes before we arrived.  Thank you God!  Truly, He may have thought a divorce was going to happen if food was not fed to the angry troll like creature my husband calls a wife.

The view of lake Dillon was breathe taking.  The fishing on the other hand was not.  The streams Ben later fished at were great.  He even had a crowd at the outlets mall that clapped and cheered when we caught a good 20 inch rainbow trout.  Ben said he felt like he was in a tournament with all the commotion.  Then when I had to talk to him over the bridge I felt proud..."yea ladies, that's my man."  Smile. Wink. Girly laugh.  Maybe I think he is super handsome and I love when women check him out because I know he is mine! 

Wow, I have got off track again....Rewind.  Shopping successful.  Fishing successful.  Hiking successful.  My sweet Madison enjoying playing in large puddles because it rained almost all day most of the days successful.

Awesome site!

I am a real good helper dad

My very favorite picture!!!

Our wonderful family.  Even little man (aka my belly) is poking out in this picture

A small 3.5 mile hike to a small, secluded lake.  Just the right length for a pregnant Momma.

Dad you know I don't like those fish so close to me!

Ben kept saying, "There is no way I am catching a fish."  Ha!  That 6 inch fish was a keeper!

I love hiking!!

30 weeks!  I look really big in this picture but I guess that belly means a healthy boy. ;)

Fun at the restaurant in Breckenridge.  Madison is saying "cheese" here.  "Please"  looks very similar!

pop up camper tlc

We bought this camper in the middle of July and we have had many great adventures in it already.

Ben is such a handy man, no need in stating the obvious there, and decided we would do a swap.  We sold our jet ski and double trailer to buy a pop up camper.  What a great decision!  Our camping adventures have been memorable as you have and will see more of.  Madison loves her mini house.  I think she may think it is her house but apparently only gets to make crazy messes and not do any of the clean up.  I think I need my mom around for that too!!!

We gutted the inside and we, oops maybe Ben, framed, paneled and upholstered everything.  AMAZING!!  I can't believe the camper is the same camper.  Everyone that sees the transformation is completely impressed...Including myself.  Great job lovey!!

I could not miss a cute smile like that!  Again...her new mini house.  Who needs a tree house when you have a mobile house!

New flooring!

This is before we scrubbed the entire outside canvas.  You can't tell as much in these pictures.

New framing and flooring in!

Perfection...Always!

Paneling.  Keep everything light is also important

Prepping for the staining

Ta-Da!!!  The new and improved!!

Madison loves cleaning!  I need to get her one of the janitor carts for kids because she finds anything and everything to scrub.

I mean...REALLY!!!  Ben did such a great job.  I can't even say it enough!!  We used curtains from Target to reupholster and found new counter tops at a second hand store.  Instead of about $65-80 for the counter it was $15.

We actually have a few more touch ups but overall the camper is ready for use