2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 8~ Breckenridge Colorado

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Our two days in Breckinridge flew by so quickly!  After checking into our HUGE Suite, we headed out to explore Main Street.  It is a beautiful town with flowers in bloom everywhere.  Main Street is lined with shops, restaurants,bars & delicious smelling bakeries.

The next morning we hiked up to an old abandoned mine.  

It made for an interesting way to exercise.  

Later we hiked along the Blue River that runs through town.  

We was a beautiful crisp fall day.

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 9 ~ Colorado National Monument

We spent today exploring Colorado National Monument and it was so huge! 

 We drove the entire Rim Rock Road around the whole Monument.  

There are multiple pull-offs along the way so you can get out & walk out to the edges for awesome views.

We witnessed two Rock climbers at the very top of this formation. Do you see these 2 crazy guys?

It was worth the trip!

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 6 ~ Albuquerque

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Our day in Albuquerque began with a walk through historic old town.  The tree lined streets are lined with shops,restaurants, native Indian museums & crafts.

I loved all the patio gardens 

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 4 ~ Amarillo

Miles Traveled: 1271

Gas $115.95

We loved passing all the farms as we drove through Amarillo !

Of course we had to visit The Big Texan Steak Ranch, it's huge.  No we didn't attempt that huge 72oz but I had the filet and Hubby had the T-bone, both were delicious!

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 3 ~ Oklahoma City National Memorial

Miles Traveled:927
Gas $82.95

We arrived at our hotel really late in the evening and exhausted from a long day on the road.  We really had very little time to see much so we decided on a quick ride to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and I must say, it moved me deep inside my soul.  The bombing was something that will live inside me till the day I die.  

I was working as a service representative and on the phone with a customer who was talking to me when it came on television, in the middle of a sentence she started screaming and crying as she told me what they were reporting.  She was so upset, she hung up the phone.

The people of Oklahoma City did a wonderful job designing a memorial that provokes both thought and prayer as well as hope for our nation.  It is so peaceful.

Teddy bears, flowers, cards along the outside wall, tiles painted by children across the globe, they also have the chalk area where visiting children can express their thoughts.

The small chairs representing the 19 children killed touched me most of all.

9:01 representing the minute innocence was lost (if evil could reach a the middle of our nation in Oklahoma City, it can touch anywhere)......and the 9:03 represents the minute healing began

I took this picture of a US Air Force veteran deep in thought & prayer and I couldn't help but think what evil he must have saw during his service.  Later as I passed him, I thanked him for his service, he said your welcome with a sad smile.

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 2 ~ Little Rock/QuachitaNationalFoest

Miles Traveled:522

Gas $48.77

Hiking the Lake Sylvia area of the Ouachita Trail

We left before dawn to drive to the Ouachita National Forest.  Due to time restraints, we chose the Lake Sylvia portion of the trail because it is the closest to Little Rock.  We plan to explore more of the forest tomorrow when we head to Oklahoma City.

LAKE MAUMELLE

We drove by Lake Maumelle to watch a glorious sunrise.

LAKE MAUMELLE SUNRISE

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Whenever we choose a hiking trail, we like to be rewarded for our efforts.  Give us a waterfall or awesome views for our efforts!  This hiking trail did none of that,  I think perhaps it might have been more interesting if we were further into the fall season and the fall colors were out.

Lake Sylvia

This little guy thought Ron's truck was a perfect spot to stop in to say hello :)

2016 National Parks Road Trip ~ Day 1 ~ Little Rock Arkansas

Miles Traveled: 450
Gas $34.00

Selfie 

We spent today discovering the city of Little Rock.  We roamed the grounds of the Capitol building and it's monuments.

Capitol Building of Arkansas

We came back later in the evening to view the Capitol Building lit up

I loved the monument to the Confederate Women...not many monuments to us ladies ;)

Tribute to theArkansas Medal of Honor Recepients

Next, we visited the Historic Governors Mansion.  It was not as big as I anticipated but I really loved the historic homes in the surrounding neighborhood.

Arkansas Historic Governors Mansion

President Clinton looks like he's in jail in the pic lol

One of the lovely homes along the streets near the Governors Mansion

We ended our day at the Arkansas River Market.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a free jazz concert at a park near the river.