Great times in Pagosa

We have had quite a good time here in Pagosa with our grandkids.  It is quite an interesting transition for Jan and I to have 2 really good and really active kids in our small motorhome.  It has been great though, and the kids have been excellent and pitched in to make it work out very well, a real pleasure!

So what have we been up to?  A lot.  Jan started off by taking them to Mesa Verde National Park.  It's a long 110 miles each way but worth it to see the ancient dwellings, and to expose the kids to some history.

Getting ready to hike

At one of the ruins

Another view

Exploring

The Balcony House

They came back tired but both kids really enjoyed the trip, and dare I say, even learned a few things:)

High on Jan and my list for them was to get them out in the boat, and most importantly out fishing.  We had picked them up rods and reels to be sure they would have everything they needed without messing around with our more complicated rigs.  And we even kept it a secret for quite awhile.  We went up to Williams Creek Reservoir, a gorgeous lake about 20 miles away on dirt roads to take them first for a boat ride.

Ready to launch

Out on the lake

They both had a chance to steer, here's Faith's turn

Then we went back in and got our picnic lunches, and went back out to float around for lunch.

Here we are all munching away

Then back we went to the truck and we got out the fishing gear much to their surprise.  We had gotten worms for bait, so we rigged up the rods and back out we went on the boat to give them a chance to try fishing.

Let's just say Faith didn't have any problem putting the worm on the hook,
Christian not so much:)

Christian hoping for a bite

Unfortunately, no bites and then the rain came in, so we ran for the dock, and after the rain stopped the kids went over to continue to fish off the bank while Jan and I packed up the boat.  Still no luck and with one of them getting quite frustrated and wanting to quit fishing, we headed back home.  So the next morning bright and early, Faith and I went back to try it again off the bank.

She gave it a valiant effort, casting well and baiting her own hook
but unfortunately no luck, but who can argue, where
else can you fish with a view and setting like this?

Jan and I wanted so bad for them to catch a fish so we headed out up and over Wolf Creek Pass to check out Big Meadow Reservoir.  Christian kept saying he didn't want to fish any more and we told him that was his decision, but when we arrived and got ready to hike to our "spot", he decided to give it another try.  Well we had success, each kid got 2 fish, Jan and I even caught several.  It was excellent and amazingly turned his enthusiasm back on for fishing.  We stayed there and fished for several hours, and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The first fish!

Christian's fish

And Faith's

Jan and Christian fishing

A panorama, Christian on one side, Faith on the other
on a spectacular day!

And although they wanted to keep fishing we thought it better to quit when all was wonderful, so we headed over to South Fork for lunch, stopped at the top of Wolf Creek Pass so they could play in the snow, then stopped at the overlook on the way back.

What a view!!

So today is our last day here.  Jan and Faith have been baking all sorts of delicious things, cakes, cookies, and even Whoopie Pies.  Both kids have been driving Harvey's golf cart around and we've even gotten them to play outside by themselves for hours at a time.  We've enjoyed being together and watching movies and doing fun stuff.  It has been a wonderful time for Jan and I, and I hope the kids too.  Jan and Faith, and even Christian are going to work on making dinner for Friday night when we meet up with Karen and Tom in Taos.  It will be a nice time together before we return the munchins to their home.