Cruz's 15th Birthday Part 2- Focus on the Family, Air Soft Shooting Range, Climbing Gym, & In N Out Burgers

After spending the morning at Pikes Peak, we stopped for lunch at Chipotle.  Along with In-N-Out, it was another request of his for this trip.  We had never eaten at one before and we loved it.

 

birthday lunch at Chipotle in Colorado Springs 

 

Next, we visited Focus on the Family.  It was the first place I researched when I realized we would be visiting Colorado Springs.  I have always wanted to go there!! 

 

 

I was a little teary eyed when I walked in the door.  Focus on the Family has been such a blessing to me over the years.  I was so happy to be there! 

 

First we explored the kids area.  It is fabulous!!! 

 

They had a wonderful Elisabeth Elliot exhibit showcasing her life and ministry. 

 

my free gifts from the Elisabeth Elliot exhibit  

 

 

 

We loved the Narnia area.

 

 

 

 

We walked through the whole building and enjoyed seeing it all.  We also spent time in the book store before leaving.  

 

 

Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs 

 

Next, we visited Lock N Load for a few rounds of air soft shooting. 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was at a climbing gym.  Both of my boys love climbing! We spent a few hours there. 

 

 

 

 

 

a video of their time at the climbing gym 

 

 

Cruz wanted Raising Cane's for his birthday supper, but it was closed because it was Memorial Day. Instead, he chose to go back to In-N-Out for a second night of burgers.  We really did like it!

 

Lastly, here are all of the badges and pins he collected on this trip.

Cruz's 15th Birthday Part 1- Pikes Peak

 How special to get to celebrate your 15th birthday in Colorado!  That is what Cruz got to do this year.  

 

We started the day with breakfast at the hotel.  There were no pancakes but that's ok.  We had done an early birthday pancake breakfast at home before we left for the trip. 

 

After eating, we drove to Pikes Peak.  We had an early morning pre-brought timed entry pass.   

 

When we checked in at the entrance, the worker informed us that the clouds were heavy and that we would most likely not be able to drive all the way to the top.  I was so bummed!! It is a nineteen mile drive to the summit.  We set out anyway with high hopes.

 

 

 

 

entering the national forest 

 

 

It did not take long before the clouds started to break and those beautiful blue sunny skies began to shine through.  I joked with the boys that if they ever doubted that God answered prayers, just remember how he answered mine and parted those clouds that day. 

 

The drive was spectacular! 

 

Along the way we saw a deer cross the road. 

 

 

 

 

 

We were so excited to see snow again.  Seeing and experiencing the snow on this trip was the overall highlight of the whole trip. It was by far our favorite thing.

 

You can see the road down below. 

 

 

 

There were so many twists and turns. 

 

 

arriving at the summit 

 

 

"America the Beautiful" was inspired by a trip to Pikes Peak back in 1893 by poet Katharine Lee Bates.

 

If you did not want to drive to the summit, you could ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.  We saw it at the top.  I'm sure it's fun, but we wanted to drive ourselves. 

 

view from the top 

 

our family at Pikes Peak 

 

We had read about the famous donuts at the Pikes Peak visitor's center and were eager to try them.  They get rave reviews, but we were not impressed.  Instead, we were quite disappointed.  We ate them, but would never buy them again. 

 

Pikes Peak donuts 

 

 

 

the birthday boy

What a beautiful place to spend your birthday!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

snow wall on the drive down 

 

 

 

Because we had not climbed enough rocks already on this trip, we stopped on the drive down for more climbing. 

 

ice 

 

 

 

view on the drive back down 

 

leaving the national forest

As you can see the clouds were still heavy down below.

 

 

a video of our time at Pikes Peak

 

I'll share about the rest of Cruz's birthday next.  It was a fun day for all of us!