Leaving Colorado

We woke up the next morning and started to load up the van.  We snapped a family picture and said our farewells.  The Oregon Harts had 1400 miles to go to get back home while we were heading south to new territory - taking the long way home (also a total of 1400 miles).

We had a wonderful time together and loved that the kids were able to get to spend some time with Grandma & Grandpa as well as Uncle John.  This trip has memories that will last them a lifetime!

After saying our goodbyes, we headed south towards New Mexico.  It was another beautiful drive with the mountains always off in the West.  Up until Friday night @ midnight, Matt & I hadn't decided how we were going to go home.  We had at least 5 options rolling around in our head(s) and couldn't decide on one over the other.  We finally put the options "on the table" and compromised.  I was able to secure hotels for the next two nights (we already had a hotel booked in Des Moines for the end of our trip).  For the planner that I am, this really pushed my limits!

Just when I thought we would have to forego our "picture with a Butte Sign", we saw this from the interstate and pulled off for a picture!!

We excited the interstate at Rye, Co to find some letterboxes and explore "Bishop's Castle".

Bishop's Castle was (and is continued to be) built by one person - Jim Bishop.  Per the website, "Today's visitors to the Bishop Castle will find an impressively monumental statue in stone and iron that cries loud testament to the beauty and glory of not only Having a Dream, but Sticking with your Dream no matter what, and most importantly, that if you do believe in yourself and strive to maintain that belief, anything can happen! Three full stories of interior rooms complete with a Grand Ballroom, soaring towers and bridges with vistas of a hundred miles, and a Fire-Breathing Dragon make the Bishop Castle quite the unforgettable experience!"

Maddie and I stayed low to the ground.  We did venture up to the second floor (the grand ballroom).  Maddie later went up with Matt too.  The other three went up to the third floor.  Alex and Will went all the way to the top spire!

Alex in the Globe

It's hard to believe this was ALL built by one person!

We ended our time in Colorado and hit the New Mexico border...

Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, NM

Will's New Mexico Souvenir!

We arrived at our hotel that night and got settled in.  While having dinner in town, the skies grew black and I thought for sure we would need to take cover in the back kitchen!  God protected us and it went south of us!  Once back at the hotel, we watched a lightning show from the balcony outside our room. The breeze was refreshing too!  We went to bed, ready to hit Texas & Oklahoma the next day.