Santa Fe : Part 5 - Bandelier National Monument

River kinda likes his dad :)

Best View of the Hike, 

On our last day we visited Bandelier National Monument, just outside of Santa Fe. It was a fun place to explore. River and Skyler especially loved it because of the more difficult and adventurous pathes, where you inch between Rocks, navigate narrow paths with drop offs, and climb ladders into old Rock dwellings and caves. I was holding my breath at some points worried about River, but Skyler had so much confidence in his son and his abilities and was right there to back him up if he needed. The best was when he got into one of the caves, River took it as an opportunity fro his own personal rock concert and was singing the Geronimo song at the top of his lungs. I took the opportunity and climbed up there too with Robin strapped to my chest. It was very interesting to see how the Native People their constructed their home using the cliff walls. It was quite ingenious.

Don't you just love that last picture?? It's my favorite!! Of course it's of my favorite people too!!

Santa Fe : Part 4 - Downtown Santa Fe

River drove his car around the front of the San Miguel Mission, which was funny because he did the same thing when we visited the missions in San Antonio,TX last year.

Skyler has the magic touch that puts fussy babies to sleep.

We spent the day wondering Downtown Santa Fe. It was fun walking the narrow side walk around the town, especially as we ate our french pastries we grabbed from The French Pastry Shop.YUM!! I am just sad they were out of bagettes by the time we got there. We visited 3 churches: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi; The Loretto Chapel with the miraculous staircase; and the San Miguel Mission, the oldest church in the US. We saw the oldest house in the US as well, which was next door to the mission. 

We stopped at the highly recommended restaurant The Shed for lunch. We must have wore out the kids because River slept through lunch in the stroller. Skyler, with his magic touch, got Robin to finally fall asleep. Major props to him for eating his Green chili one handed, while holding a sleeping baby. 

Ou last stop was my favorite. It was the one thing I wanted to do, experience drinking chocolate elixirs at Kakawa Chocolate House. I first read about them on this travel blog while I was researching for the trip. I was sold at "Drinking Chocolate". And it did not disappoint. When you sit down they have a artisan come and explain the different kinds of drinking chocolates they have and you get to try little shots of them before you order the one you like best. The recipes are based on and recreated from historical sources. The pre-Colombian America ones had chilis in them and packed some heat. The European based ones are more floral and sweet.  That's the kind I ordered, The Marie Anotionette. Sky ordered a spicy Chai chocolate. River ordered the salted carmel ice cream and it was a hit! Him and Skyler downed the whole thing. Overall it was a really fun experience and the Staff was so great!

Santa Fe : Part 3 - Ranger River

They had an awesome Junior Ranger Program at the park, and River LOVED it! You go into the visitor center and check out a backpack filled with all sorts of goodies, like a stopwatch, tape measurer, binocular, anemometer, compass, flashlight, magnifying glass, info cards, and best of all a giant magnet. They also give you a list of questions and a clipboard with paper to go out, observe, record, and report. All in hopes of becoming a Junior Ranger. 

River was so excited, even though the back pack hung down to his ankles. He loved all the tools, especially the magnet. The first day he ran around the dunes, digging it into the sand and seeing how much magnetite he could draw out and it was surprisingly a lot. The second day he was all about the stop watch and playing in the water.

After each day I sat down with him and asked him questions about his day and what he saw and then he'd draw something. 

AND he became a Junior Ranger, official badge and all. He is now referred to as Ranger River.  

Santa Fe : Part 2 - Grand Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, CO - Day 2

The next morning we came back for more, and we discovered a completely different world from the day before. The sun appeared, burning off the morning cloud cover and heating up the sand. It became too hot to walk around without shoes on. River was so tired from the day before he just laid down and made a "sand angel". The water was calling to him, so we waded into the cool mountain run off and found relief. 

Water must be River's element because it restored his energy and he was off running and splashing again. Him and Skyler chased each other and Robin squealed joyfully as she bounced around in the pack. I loved soaking my feet in the cool water. Eventually I pulled Baby Girl out of the pack so she could get in on the action too. At first she wasn't too sure, but then I think the Hawaii memories came back and she loved the water again. Smiling and splashing her feet, getting us both wet. 

River is a true explorer. He never backs down to the new challenges out travels present. Sometimes he gets nervous, but as long as his daddy is near, he charges forward with out fear. Sometimes this gets him into a little trouble, but luckily he bounces right back and keeps going, and we all laugh along the way.

The magic of the Sand Dunes danced in our heads and the phantom current lulled our bodies as we drove the lonely, isolated, beautiful road to Santa Fe, and the kids slept the most of the way. Ok River did, and Robin was entranced with Barney, Baby Bop and Friends.